....

July 1997 saw the end of Ian Crook's 11-year Carrow Road career when the City skipper flew out to Japan to sign a lucrative one-year contract with Sanfrecce Hiroshima. He had been offered a further one-season deal with the Canaries to add to his tally of 418 senior appearances - which left him seventh on the club's all-time list - and 24 goals. However the J-League offered too many incentives and so Crook opted to join former teammate and best friend Mark Bowen in the far East rather than stay in East Anglia. The 34-year-old midfield maestro admitted: "It is an opportunity I can't turn down. It was nothing detrimental about the offer here but the money is a big, big part of it and it's a great opportunity, especially at my age." However Crook did not rule out a return to Carrow Road in the future - possibly in a coaching role. "If the gaffer fancies someone to make his tea for him in a year's time I would be interested." His new manager was Scottish boss Eddie Thomson formerly Terry Venables' predecessor as manager of the Australian national side. After his first year in Japan, he was offered another year's contract with Hiroshima. Ian himself expressed interest in the Norwich City job after Mike Walker's sacking.

Posted By: malkybarkid, May 4, 10:54:07