Position: Midfielder
Age: 26
Born: Belfast (Jan 1, 1978)
Date signed: Mar 25, 1999
Signed from: Manchester United, £500,000
City debut: v Crystal Palace H (Apr 3, 1999)
Contract: June 2005
Season 2003/04 Appearances (max 48): 36 Goals: 3
Career appearances: 167 (76th on all-time list) Goals: 20
International honours: Northern Ireland
Minutes played in pre-season (max 630): 198

A disappointing season for the talented playmaker who found himself playing second fiddle to Holt and Francis for much of the campaign. Remains the best passer of the ball at the club, but wouldn’t appear to figure in his manager’s first choice starting XI. It will be interesting to see how his career progresses from here.

The Canary play-maker might have found himself stuck in something of a queue as Damien Holt and Gary Holt became something of a fixture in centre midfield, but Mulryne’s contribution to the cause was still all-important.

The manner in which his cool head and instinctive ability to look after the ball rode to Norwich’s rescue when one or two promotion jitters surfaced in the home game against Gillingham was crucial to that night’s 3-0 success — as was his goal, to be fair.

But if there is one moment that summed up Mulryne’s contribution to taking the Canaries back where they belong, it came in the dying moments of the away trip to Reading when the Northern Ireland international swept the sweetest of winners home after Neale Barry had done his bit to earn a Christmas card off Nigel Worthington.

Mulryne’s joyous face as he raced away to start yet another promotion party was an absolute picture.

Last season: The 2003-4 campaign was a big disappointment for Mulryne. He was troubled by a number of niggling injuries and was forced to play second fiddle to Gary Holt and Damien Francis for much of the season. He made just 14 starts – a poor return for a player of his ability – and the spectacular late winner at Reading, when referee Neale Barry set him up, was a rare highlight.

Target for this season: Getting a regular game. Mulryne now has another rival for a central midfield slot in Youssef Safri, so he’s clearly got a big task on his hands to force his way into Worthington’s first-choice starting eleven. But there’s still no better passer of the ball at the club and that might yet stand him in good stead at a higher level.

The Premiership is probably more suited to Mulryne’s style of play where he might get a little longer to pick out a pass. Having said that, this could be a tough season for City’s midfield as they come up against some of the best players in the world. Mulryne may face a struggle to hold down a regular starting berth and could do with scoring a few more goals.

OFF DUTY (2004):

Marital status: Single.
Children: None.
Home: Trowse.

Current car: BMW.
First car: Toyota.

How do you relax away from football? I enjoy going into the City and spending time with my friends. I also find playing snooker is a good way to relax.

Favourite other sport to play: I just mentioned it – snooker.
Favourite other sport to watch: Sorry to sound repetitive but I like watching a bit of snooker on the box. But football is my game – and I usually manage to find a match somewhere.
Favourite holiday destination: Bahamas.
Favourite television programme: Eastenders.
Favourite restaurant or eating place: I can’t think of any particular place off hand, but I enjoy Chinese food.
Favourite read: I’m very interested in Irish history and have read a lot of books on the subject.
Favourite film: Carlito’s Way.
Recommended listening: Coldplay and good house music.

Best thing about living in Norfolk: The place and the people. I’ve settled down really well and I really like the countryside and the city.
Worst thing about living in Norfolk: The lack of a direct flight between Norwich and my home city of Belfast. I have to drive down to Stansted to get a plane.

Whose result do you look out for first? Manchester United.
What was the first team you ever played for? The same as Paul McVeigh, St. Oliver Plunkett in Belfast. Once I’d left school I went straight to Manchester United.

What would you have done if you hadn’t made the grade? I wanted to be a footballer from an early age, but being an airline pilot was something else that appealed to me when I was younger.
What will you do when your playing career is over? I wouldn’t mind doing some coaching. If not, then I’d be looking to get into a business of some sort.