Following the EGM held at Carrow Road on Wednesday evening, it was confirmed that Mark Attanasio and Norfolk Holdings now controlled the club by becoming the majority Shareholders. Although Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones will retain their shares in the club, they will now be Honorary Life Presidents.
It’s been 28 years with them at the helm, starting in November 1996. Bill Clinton was re-elected as President of the USA, the Spice Girls released their debut album, and Norwich would lose only their 3rd game of the season on November 2nd. However, they wouldn’t win again until the 28th December. A run of 9 games without winning.
Off the pitch, the club was in dire straits. Financially struggling, Robert Chase had departed a few months earlier and the club needed help. This is where Delia and Michael’s story as part of the club starts. They joined the board officially on 28th November 1996. In 1998, they purchased the shares of Sir Geoffrey Watling to become joint majority shareholders.
Both Delia and Michael were season ticket holders before their investment. Post their investment, they steered the club through some tough times and successes - including becoming the last ever ‘Division 1’ champions finishing 8 points ahead of the rest of the pack.
2009 saw the culmination of a downturn in fortune, several key players departed and the club were relegated to League One, the third tier, for the first time in 50 years. Administration was narrowly avoided by cash injections from the board.
All this is in the public domain, but what many people outside of our family club do not realise is the care and compassion Delia and Michael have for the fans. So many fans can speak of kindness from Delia following personal tragedies or ill-health. In addition, what many fans will not know, as Delia did not publicise it, was that Delia paid for the refurbishment of the bar area in the Barclay herself – now the Lion & Castle – a place where many fans gravitate to before and after a match.
It is nothing short of the end of an era and although there have been ups and downs, both on and off the pitch, Delia and Michael have always been there for the Canaries. Fans, supporters, and eventually owners, one can never say that they didn’t care.
Delia and Michael’s handover to Mark Attanasio is now complete. We can’t know what the future holds but the Canaries Trust wants to thank them both for their stewardship of our club.
Delia, Michael, thank you. Thank you for the highs, the lows, the emotions, the successes, the players, and above all the memories.
Your time at the helm will be remembered by all.
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