Norwich, the Gran Canaria Embassy in England
The victory against Atlético Madrid unleashed euphoria at Carrow Road.
November 3, 2023 will be remembered at the Estadio Gran Canaria not only for marking the first win against Atlético Madrid but also for being the first time Norwich City and UD Las Palmas fans gathered at Carrow Road, home to The Canaries, to support the other 'amarillos' who sport blue alongside their yellow attire instead of the green of the English team.
The watch party, jointly organized by both clubs, featured a limited edition of shirts with the emblems of Atlético and Unión Deportiva, in yellow and green, the dominant outfits among attendees.
The adjacent pub to the Norwich stadium, Lion & Castle, hosted the victory around its giant screen, savored as if it were an unofficial Canarian embassy. This event is part of a three-party agreement signed by UD Las Palmas, the English team, and the Gran Canaria Tourism Board last August. The alliance stemmed from a visit by a UD Las Palmas delegation to Norwich City a year ago, during their first presence at the London World Travel Market.
The coincidence of yellow in their uniforms, the presence of a canary in their crest, and the curious fact that their fans are known as 'the canaries' set the stage for UD Las Palmas' proposal. These were the first steps in an international expansion initiative, seeking to solidify its brand among the established marks in Spain's top division.
Norwich's commercial director, Ed Turnham, proudly speaks of his club's talismanic status in the achievements they've obtained. "When we met," he explains lightheartedly, "they were in the middle of the table in the second division. They ascended and now have defeated Atlético. This partnership is working well for them." Norwich proudly bears the name of Gran Canaria on its sleeve.
During half-time of the previous Friday's match, a quiz about UD Las Palmas' history was held among attending fans, the winner awarded with a jersey signed by the team. Jordan Goldie, an Alicante-based lawyer with a Scottish father and South African mother, emerged victorious—a metaphor for the borders football transcends.