Ken Brown took over from the managerial post at Carrow Road and his first full season in charge at the club saw the canaries finish off in a disappointing 20th position in the top flight, in turn resulting in relegation back in to the second division. Brown guided the canaries straight back up in to the top flight the following year as they finished off the season in third place, in turn resulting in promotion back into the first division. They also reached the fifth round of the FA cup, however suffered defeat against West Bromwich Albion in the competition.
Norwich adjusted to life back in the first division in a comfortable manner as they secured their top flight status with a 14th position finish. They also enjoyed a good run in the FA cup, reaching the quarter finals of the competition for the first time in 20 years, suffering defeat against eventual runners up, Brighton and Hove Albion in the last eight of the cup competition.
After finishing the 1983 -0 84 season off in 14th place, the canaries suffered relegation back in to the second division at the end of the 1984 – 1985 campaign, however it did also prove to be a memorable season for great reasons as they were in emphatic form in the league cup, cruising in to the final of the competition. They met Sunderland in the final and defeated them 1-0 at Wembley to win the 1985 league cup.
Martin O’Neil spent two years at the club, joining in 1982 and they possessed some fine players including Robert Rosario, Ian Culverhouse and Dale Gordon.