Football purists and cliché-loving commentators were up in arms when the old adage “it’s a game of two halves” came under threat during a pre- season friendly between Cambridge and Norwich recently.
Instead of playing two 45-minute halves, the clubs instead decided to play in 30-minute quarters – making for a whopping 120 minutes of normal- time football for fans in the stands, although why anyone would want to watch Norwich versus Cambridge for an extra 30 minutes is anyone’s guess.
“The extended fixture has been agreed by both clubs in order to maximise the playing time of the respective sides ahead of the 2015-16 campaign,” said a statement on the Norwich website.
It is understood Norwich, who are rumoured to be changing their name to the Norwich Wildcats soon, have also requested to wear shoulder pads and helmets for their opening Premier League game, and be allowed to use their hands instead of feet when running with the ball.
Instead of playing two 45-minute halves, the clubs instead decided to play in 30-minute quarters – making for a whopping 120 minutes of normal- time football for fans in the stands, although why anyone would want to watch Norwich versus Cambridge for an extra 30 minutes is anyone’s guess.
“The extended fixture has been agreed by both clubs in order to maximise the playing time of the respective sides ahead of the 2015-16 campaign,” said a statement on the Norwich website.
It is understood Norwich, who are rumoured to be changing their name to the Norwich Wildcats soon, have also requested to wear shoulder pads and helmets for their opening Premier League game, and be allowed to use their hands instead of feet when running with the ball.
