In the first of a new set of regular articles, we look more closely at one of the many items within the Norwich City Football Club Historical Trust’s collection.

We start with this autographed colour photograph of Dave Watson wearing City’s classic admiral kit from the 1980/81 season.

Dave joined the Canaries from Liverpool in November 1980. He played 20 times in his first season, scoring 3 times, but wasn’t able to save City from relegation to the 2nd division. 

He was an established member of the team that bounced straight back; winning promotion back to the top flight by finishing 3rd in the table on the final day of the 1981/82 season. 

He continued to be a regular in the side as Norwich finished 14th in 1982/83 and 1983/84. 

Watson won the first of his 12 England caps whilst at Norwich. His international debut was a 2-0 win over Brazil at the Estádio do Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro in June 1984.

He captained the Canaries in their historic 1-0 win over Sunderland in the 1985 Milk Cup final; the club’s first ever victory at Wembley. 

A late season collapse in form meant the 1984/85 season ended with the disappointment of relegation again. However, Norwich were promoted straight back as 2nd Division champions in the 1985/86.

He left for Everton at the start of the 1986/87 season and was a key member of their title winning side. He also won the FA Cup (in 1995) and Charity Shield twice (1987, 1995). He then had a short spell managing both Everton and Tranmere.

He was inducted in the Norwich City Hall of Fame in 2002 after playing a total of 256 games and scoring 15 goals.

You can see more of the Trust’s collection of autographed cards and photos here.