As anyone will know, Canaries like to sing, so it’s no surprise that the club with that nickname boasts the oldest known football chant on record.

The song is in fact older than the club itself, having probably been penned for Norwich Teachers or Caley’s FC in the 1890s. The writer of the song is often attributed as Albert T Smith, who became a director of Norwich City when the club was founded in 1902, and the song was adopted by fans of the club.

As this is the final article of our head to head stats against current Premier League giants, it seems fitting to see it out with a song, so here are the lyrics to Norwich’s song below:

In the days to call, which we’ve left behind,
Our boyhood’s glorious game,
And our youthful vigour has declined
With its mirth and its lonesome end;
You will think of the time, the happy time,
Its memories fond recall
When in the bloom of your youthful prime
We’ve kept upon the ball

Kick it off, throw it in, have a little scrimmage,
Keep it low, a splendid rush, bravo, win or die;
On the ball, City, never mind the danger,
Steady on, now’s your chance,
Hurrah! We’ve scored a goal.

Let all tonight then drink with me
To the football game we love,
And wish it may successful be
As other games of old,
And in one grand united toast
Join player, game and song
And fondly pledge your pride and toast Success to the City club.

Kick off, throw in, have a little scrimmage,
Keep it low, a splendid rush, bravo, win or die;
On the ball, City, never mind the danger,
Steady on, now’s your chance,
Hurrah! We’ve scored a goal.
City!
City!

Now, onto the stats:

Bradford (Park Avenue) VS Norwich City

Founded in 1874, Aston Villa has an admirable trophy cabinet having won 7 first division titles, 7 FA Cups and 3 European titles, amongst others.

Apart from a dip in the 1970’s where they dropped into the third division, Aston villa has competed in the top two tiers of English football for their entire history. A history that stretches back before the formation of the football league, of which they were founding members.

Bradford (Park Avenue) VS Aston Villa

Until recently, The Cherries have spent the majority of their time bouncing between the third and fourth tiers of English football, but 2015-16 saw them grace the top flight for the first time in their history, and they have remained there ever since.

Before changing their name to AFC Bournemouth in 1972, the side went by the name of Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic. It’s during their time under this moniker that they faced Bradford in the third tier and the FA Cup.

Bradford (Park Avenue) VS AFC Bournemouth

Whilst Watford’s trophy cabinet doesn’t hold a candle (in the wind) to other premiership clubs, they’re still standing thanks to the support of a world famous musician.

Lifelong Watford supporter and international super star Elton John became club chairman in 1976 and declared an ambition to take the team into the First Division.

Soaring through the leagues like a rocket man, Watford climbed from bottom place in the lowest division of The Football League to top position in the highest division in just 7 years. They then started the 1982–83 season with four league wins from the opening five fixtures but were unable to maintain a title challenge, eventually finishing the season second behind Liverpool, which ensured UEFA Cup qualification for the following season.

Bradford (Park Avenue) VS Watford

Amongst the first to face Avenue in the Southern League, The Hammers have gone on to become a household name of English football.

Originally founded as Thames Ironworks in 1895, West Ham’s success has varied over the years. From winning the FA Cup three times in three sequential decades, to yo-yoing between the top flight and second tier. Despite this, they have never dropped below tier two since joining the football league after World War 1.

Bradford (Park Avenue) VS West Ham United

Soaring back into the top flight after coming close to liquidation and relegation from the football league, you’d be forgiven for thinking the Seagulls were in fact a phoenix.

In the late 1990s, Brighton was in the fourth tier of English football and struggled with financial difficulties. After narrowly avoiding relegation from the Football League to the Conference in 1997, a boardroom takeover saved the club from liquidation. Successive promotions in 2001 and 2002 brought Brighton back to the second tier. In the 2016–17 season, Brighton gained promotion again to the Premier League, ending a 34-year absence from the top flight.

Bradford (Park Avenue) VS Brighton And Hove Albion

Nicknamed “The Saints” due to their formation as a church team, Southampton was originally called St. Mary’s Y.M.A. and was founded in 1885 by the St. Mary’s C.o.E. Young Men’s Association.

Despite this link to the divine, Southampton’s trophy cabinet will look a little bare, holding just four major trophies. Although, their honour roll does show a number of times they came close as runners up – and as you will see from the stats below, they come in a strong second place when pitted against the Avenue.

Bradford (Park Avenue) VS Southampton