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Paul Heckingbottom has fond memories of his playing spell at Norwich City as he prepares for his Carrow Road return this afternoon.
The current Sheffield United boss spent a season of his playing career with the Canaries.
Heckingbottom was signed by Nigel Worthington on a free transfer from Darlington ahead of the 2002/03 season after a lengthy hunt for a fresh left back option.
He struggled to displace City legend Adam Drury and made just seven league starts for the club and came off the bench on eight occasions in a season where Worthington's side fell just short of the Division One play-offs.
His final appearance for the club arrived away at Bradford City on December 28, 2002 before he completed a move to Bradford the following summer.
Despite a spell that didn't involve much action on the pitch, Heckingbottom recalls his spell in Norfolk with great affection.
"The last game was December 28. I got brought on and never played again." he told Yorkshire Live. "I went there as left-back but Adam Drury was the left back and he was playing well. He was the player of the year.
"I think of my 16 games I think only one was at left-back, at Bradford [16th-minute sub for Drury]. Every other time was midfield. I wanted to play, so I left.
"I loved the club. I loved living down there. It's a bit of a goldfish bowl if you are a player down there or work at the club because you are isolated and everyone knows your business, but there is an intimacy about it which is nice."
Paul Heckingbottom spent a season of his playing career at Norwich City. (Image: Newsquest)
Heckingbottom returns to Norfolk this afternoon with his promotion-chasing Sheffield United side.
"The ground will be full, it will be a good atmosphere and the fans want the team to do well," Heckingbottom said. "I can talk like that because I know the club and I know what it's like. All I am bothered about this time is preparing us to play Norwich the team and the players.
"They are dangerous, so I am expecting us to have moments where we have to be at our best to deal with their threat. I would also like to think we can pose them a threat as well going the other way and take our chances."