In the summer of 2014, Norwich City faced the task of rebuilding after being relegated from the Premier League. One key addition to that effort was the £3 million signing of Lewis Grabban, who would prove instrumental in their return to the top flight.
Having finished 18th in the 2013/14 season, Norwich ended a three-year run in the Premier League. With scoring goals having been a major weakness — just 28 goals in 38 league games — they turned to Grabban, who had netted 22 times in 44 Championship appearances for Bournemouth the previous season.
Grabban Helps Fire Norwich Back to the Premier League
Grabban made an immediate impact, scoring on his home debut against Watford. But the season wasn’t without setbacks. Manager Neil Adams stepped down in January 2015, with Alex Neil taking over. Despite hopes of automatic promotion, Norwich had to settle for third place as Bournemouth and Watford secured the top two spots.
Still, Grabban continued to deliver, scoring 12 goals in 36 league appearances — 13 of those coming off the bench. In the play-offs, Norwich overcame rivals Ipswich Town 4-2 on aggregate in a heated semi-final before beating Middlesbrough 2-0 at Wembley. Although Grabban came off the bench late in the final, his crucial goal-line clearance helped preserve the lead and ensure promotion.
Short-Lived Stay at Carrow Road
Grabban’s time at Norwich was brief. Bournemouth, newly promoted, made several attempts to re-sign him. After reportedly leaving the Norwich team hotel before a League Cup tie in August 2015, he apologized to fans, but the writing was on the wall. He returned to Bournemouth in January 2016 for £7 million after making just six appearances that season.
His second spell at Dean Court, however, didn’t live up to expectations. Grabban failed to score in 15 appearances and was loaned to Reading in January 2017, where he helped the Royals reach the play-off final with three goals in 16 matches. Unfortunately, Reading lost to Huddersfield Town on penalties, and Grabban’s performance in the final drew mixed reviews.
Repeat Play-Off Disappointment at Aston Villa
The following season, another loan took him to Sunderland, where he impressed with 12 goals in 20 games. However, his spell was cut short, and he moved to Aston Villa in January 2018. He scored eight times in 15 matches, helping Villa into the play-offs. But once again, Wembley brought disappointment as Villa lost 1-0 to Fulham. Grabban played the full match but had minimal impact, receiving a 6/10 rating from Express & Star for his efforts.
That summer, Bournemouth sold him to Nottingham Forest for a reported £6 million. Grabban finally found stability at the City Ground, scoring 54 goals in 144 league appearances between 2018 and 2022. A short-lived stint in Saudi Arabia followed, which ended amid a FIFA tribunal, before he retired.
Norwich’s Lasting Gratitude
While his later career featured repeated heartbreak in play-off finals, Norwich fans will always remember Grabban’s vital role in their 2015 success. Unlike at Reading or Villa, the curse didn’t strike at Carrow Road — and that single successful promotion campaign has secured Grabban a place in Norwich City folklore.
