Duncan Forbes (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Duncan Scott Forbes is a Scottish
retired former professional footballer. He spent 33 Years at Norwich City
, 13 as a player, 7 on the commercial staff and 13 as chief scout. The Times newspaper famously noted his aggressive defending by writing 'Forbes got his customary booking; the referee ought to take his name in the changing room rather than on the pitch thus saving time.'
in September 1961 from Scottish non-league side Musselburgh Athletic
, making his league debut later that season. He quickly established himself as a regular in the Layer Road side, playing in two promotion winning teams and two relegation teams over the next 7 years.
In September 1998, after playing 270 league games for Colchester, scoring twice, he moved to Norwich City for a fee of £10,000. At Carrow Road, he helped the Canaries into Division One, and in 1970 he was voted the fourth winner of the Barry Butler Trophy, the fans' award for player of the year
. He was captain of the Norwich team that won promotion to the first division for the first time in 1972.
In October 1976 he looked to have lost his place and joined Torquay United
on loan. He returned to Carrow Road and won his place back, finishing his Norwich career with 295 league appearances, in which he scored 10 times. On leaving Norwich he played for Great Yarmouth Town
, before joining Diss Town
as player-coach.
In 2002, Forbes was made an inaugural member of the Norwich City F.C. Hall of Fame.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
retired former professional footballer. He spent 33 Years at Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
, 13 as a player, 7 on the commercial staff and 13 as chief scout. The Times newspaper famously noted his aggressive defending by writing 'Forbes got his customary booking; the referee ought to take his name in the changing room rather than on the pitch thus saving time.'
Career
Forbes joined Colchester UnitedColchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
in September 1961 from Scottish non-league side Musselburgh Athletic
Musselburgh Athletic F.C.
Musselburgh Athletic Football Club are a Scottish junior football club based in the town of Musselburgh, East Lothian. Formed in 1934, they have played under different names including Musselburgh Bruntonians, Musselburgh Juniors and Musselburgh Fern since 1898...
, making his league debut later that season. He quickly established himself as a regular in the Layer Road side, playing in two promotion winning teams and two relegation teams over the next 7 years.
In September 1998, after playing 270 league games for Colchester, scoring twice, he moved to Norwich City for a fee of £10,000. At Carrow Road, he helped the Canaries into Division One, and in 1970 he was voted the fourth winner of the Barry Butler Trophy, the fans' award for player of the year
Norwich City player of the year
The Norwich City player of the year award is voted for annually by Norwich City's supporters, in recognition of the best overall performance by an individual player throughout the football season...
. He was captain of the Norwich team that won promotion to the first division for the first time in 1972.
In October 1976 he looked to have lost his place and joined Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
on loan. He returned to Carrow Road and won his place back, finishing his Norwich career with 295 league appearances, in which he scored 10 times. On leaving Norwich he played for Great Yarmouth Town
Great Yarmouth Town F.C.
Great Yarmouth Town F.C. is an English football club based in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. The club are currently members of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division and play at the Wellesley Recreation Ground, whose grandstand is believed to be the world's oldest football stand still in regular...
, before joining Diss Town
Diss Town F.C.
Diss Town F.C. are an English football club based in Diss, Norfolk. The club are currently members of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division and play at Brewers Green Lane.The club is affiliated to the Norfolk County FA.-History:...
as player-coach.
Retirement
Within a year of leaving Carrow Road, he returned, joining the Norwich City commercial staff where he was in charge of Club Canary organising trips to away matches. In March 1988 he was appointed as Norwich's Chief Scout, a post he held until his retirement in 2001, by which time he had spent 33 almost unbroken years at Carrow Road.In 2002, Forbes was made an inaugural member of the Norwich City F.C. Hall of Fame.
External links
- Duncan Forbes, Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Database
- Career information at ex-canaries.co.uk
- Duncan Forbes Career Stats at coludata.co.uk