Stockton-on-Tees schoolboy Michael Merrick played initially for the Canaries Under 17 team in their 1-1 draw with Ipswich on 17th April 1999. Michael played in central defence but came off in the second half through injury. He had come to Norwich's attentionvia one of their scouts in the North East who had seen him play for Hartlepool's Under-16s. He then joined the club as a Academy scholar spending three years at Norwich.

Michael joined Jewson leaguers Great Yarmouth "on work experience" in November 2001 in order to gain match fitnesss. Norwich announced in March 2002 that none of their Third Year scholars would be offered a professional contract and so Michael will need to seek a new club in the summer of 2002. Michael was due for a trial with Accrington Stanley during the summer but failed to show. The Norwich City matchday programme for the visit of Sheffield United on 7th September 2002 reported that Michael had completed his A levels successfully and would be taking up a place at Lancaster University to study for a joint honours degree in English and Religious Studies.