BOOM AND ZOOM FOR LYNN!

KING’S LYNN TOWN IN DREAMLAND

- Chris Dunlavy

WHEN Norwich City won back-to-back promotions a decade ago, their players celebrated with a trip to Las Vegas, courtesy of celebrity owner Delia Smith.

At neighbors King’s Lynn Town, they’ve had to settle for a congratulatory zoom call, but after a tense three-month wait to be crowned champions of National League North, gaffer Ian Culverhouse isn’t complaining.

“It’s a bit strange because you’re usually together at these moments,” says the 52-year-old, who made 369 appearances for Norwich and was assistant to Paul Lambert during the Canaries’ exhilarating ascent to the Premier League in 2011.

“After a game, or on the bus home. At Norwich, I think Delia paid for all the lads to go to Vegas for a week, and they still talk about it now. For us, it was a zoom call and celebrity beer! Robbie Back organized it, and it was nice to pat each other on the back – virtually, of course!

“It’s taken a long time and the whole situation has been unbelievable, really. Would we have liked to finish off the season and do things the right way? Of course. But I’m glad it ended the way it did because the lads deserve it. They’ve been brilliant.”

Less glad are rivals York City, who were top of the table when the season was halted only to be overhauled by the Linnets when points-per-game was used to decide the final standings. The Minstermen missed out by just 2.5 points.