By Ian Bred, Norfolk Correspondent

New Norwich boss Dean Smith began his reign at Carrow Road today with a hilarious joke.

Talking about how pleased he was to be in Norfolk, he said (genuinely): “I was brought up in an era when Norwich were competing in Europe.”

The fact of the matter is that in their entire trophy-less history, Norwich have competed in Europe a grand total of SIX times, all in the same season (1993-94). So quite a short era then.

In contrast, the mighty Ipswich Town, East Anglia’s premier team, have played in European competitions SIXTY TWO times.

And in all that time, Town were NEVER beaten at home, seeing off the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan and many more.

Norwich sacked Daniel Farke for being bottom of the table, and have replaced him with Smith, a man sacked by Aston Villa for being fifth bottom, so that’s progress.

Norwich City FC historian Bubba Spuckler, who lives in Downham Market with his sister and their six children, said: “Yes, we have played in Europe six times.

“I can count the games on one hand.”

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