On the Ball, City has claims to be the oldest football club song still in regular use.

It is almost as old as the Canaries themselves – and certainly older than that particular nickname.

It has rung around the San Siro and Munich’s Olympic stadium as well as Wembley.

But it was first heard around the touchlines of City’s first home in Newmarket Road having been adopted soon after the club turned professional in 1905 – just three years after they came into existence.

The origins of On The Ball, City are somewhat controversial. Most people credit Albert Smith, a keen fan and a director of Norwich City between 1905 and 1907, as its author, though it seems it may have been written well before Norwich City FC were born.

Local clubs Swifans, Catton, Caley’s FC and Norwich Teachers had all laid claim to it as their club song and Smith – who was on the staff at AJ Caley & Son – sang it at social events, including an event to celebrate City’s move into professional football.

The EDP report of that evening described the song as “the popular war cry of the clubbers”.

An earlier version – each being adapted to whatever team it was sung for – included the line “On the ball, Teachers, Never mind your features”. But it is fair to say that the version below is the one which became popular with the growing army of fans attending Newmarket Road – and which has stayed with us ever since.

In the days to call, which we have left behind
Our boyhood's glorious game,
And our youthful vigour has declined,
With its mirth and its lonesome end;
You will think of the time, the happy time,
Its memories fond recall,
When in the bloom of our youthful prime
We've kept upon the ball

Kick off, throw it in, have a little scrimmage,
Keep it low, a splendid rush, bravo, win or die;
On the ball, City, never mind the danger,
Steady on, now's your chance,
Hurrah! We've scored a goal.

Let all tonight then drink with me
To the football game we love,
And wish it may successful be
As other games of old,
And in one grand united toast
Join player, game and song,
And fondly pledge your pride and toast,
Success to the City club.

Kick off, throw it in, have a little scrimmage,
Keep it low, a splendid rush, bravo, win or die;
On the ball, City, never mind the danger,
Steady on, now's your chance,
Hurrah! We've scored a goal.