Story added: 25th February 2026

Foundation Takeover Game 2026

The Foundation take over Carrow Road

On Saturday 21st of February 2026, the Carrow Road floodlights were shining on the Community Sports Foundation for the charity’s ‘Takeover Game’.

Introduced with the intention of drawing attention to the fantastic community work delivered by the Foundation, this season’s Foundation awareness game against Birmingham City ensured that the 26,000+ people packed inside the stadium gained a better understanding of the organisation’s purpose and the impact it has throughout Norfolk and the local community.

Before the Takeover Day had even begun, the Foundation received an incredibly generous donation. Norwich City head coach Phillipe Clement, Sporting Director Ben Knapper and the first-team squad all donated a day’s salary to the charity, helping to reach even more individuals across Norfolk.

A Carrow Road takeover

A relatively mild day in NR1 began with a series of fun and engaging fan-focused activities around the stadium, including a spin-the-wheel competition and a keepy-uppy challenge.

Foundation friends The Canaries Trust were also on hand to announce the winner of their monthly competition, On the Draw, City, with the help of a special guest, Norwich City majority shareholder Mark Attanasio. Mark gratefully received a cheque donation of £8,500 on behalf of the Community Sports Foundation from The Canaries Trust in support of the Foundation’s Healthy Fans initiative.

The Norwich City owner also paid a special visit to Carrow Park, where he met our Youth Voice Council and a selection of Foundation staff and volunteers, finding out more about their individual roles within the organisation.

Back at the stadium, it was all-action, with donation-collectors and Foundation mascot Sportysaurus welcoming the growing yellow army to the ground.

Participants from our Realising Potential match day club also enjoyed a special moment as they welcomed Norwich City’s first-team players on their arrival at the stadium. Representatives from primary partner Blakely joined the group and generously handed out gifts. The Realising Potential programme supports people with physical and learning disabilities, helping them build confidence and develop new skills through sport.

In the Legends Lounge, there was a special surprise for one of the Foundation’s longest-serving staff members. Former Canaries captain and Foundation Head of Football Adam Drury was presented with a celebratory framed shirt, to celebrate his ten years of service at the charity.

With kick-off now just around the corner and atmosphere building in a packed-out stadium, was time for fans to take to their seats for the first forty-five minutes.

It was a brilliant matchday moment as the first‑team players walked out onto the pitch wearing shirts proudly featuring the Foundation’s logo on the front, generously gifted by Blakely. A huge thank you to Blakely for their continued support and for helping shine a spotlight on the Foundation.

At half-time, there was further community celebration, as a team of Foundation participants, staff and volunteers took to the Carrow Road turf for a customary lap of honour, where they were warmly applauded by Norwich and Birmingham fans alike.

The Barclay stand was also treated to a special edition of the Lavish Life half-time challenge, as the Foundation’s Tim Warner took on Canaries legend Simeon Jackson in a challenge, with the latter securing a huge £1,000 for the Foundation by netting the winning shot.

The group, who are proudly supported year‑round by Fosters, were also hosted by them on the day to celebrate their fantastic contribution.

In total, our Foundation Takeover Day raised upwards of £100,000 – a truly remarkable sum.

All profits will go directly towards supporting the Foundation’s disability and SEND programme Realising Potential, as well as other vital areas of our charitable work.

A Foundation thanks

Head of Fundraising, Emma Fletcher-Dungay was quick to praise the fantastic support shown by fans, staff and players on the day:

“What a truly amazing day, the support we have received prior to the day and on the day from the club, club sponsor and the fans have been huge.

“The amount raised will make such a huge difference. The reception from both home and away fans on the parade was just incredible. “

Foundation CEO, Ian Thornton OBE, was keen to highlight the positive impact that this year’s Takeover Day had had on the community:

“Takeover Day is always a special one in our calendar, and this year, the support we’ve received has been nothing short of outstanding. It was amazing to see a packed-out Carrow Road come together to celebrate our community.

“Our thanks must go to everyone who donated and got involved both on match day and throughout the season – together we’re having a big impact on our local community, and providing opportunities to those who really need it across Norfolk.

Thanks to:

Blakely – for gifting their front-of-shirt sponsorship to the Foundation for our Takeover fixture against Birmingham City.

Norwich City FC – for their support of our Takeover Game

Phillipe Clement, Ben Knapper & the Norwich City first team – for donating a day’s worth of their wages to the Foundation’s community work.

The Norwich City Fans Social Club – for ten years of fantastic fundraising at the Foundation, raising over £100,000 to date.

The Canaries Trust – for raising £8,500 in support of the Foundation’s Healthy Fans initiative.

Lavish Life – for allowing us to use their customary half-time challenge to draw awareness to the Foundation.

Norwich Accountancy – for using their graphics to help support our Takeover Game.

Anglian Chemicals – for using their graphics to help support our Takeover Game.