Open forum news in...

(Taken from Connor Southwell)

Norwich City executives will host an open forum with supporters tonight to discuss news of redevelopment at Carrow Road, including the controversial decision to relocate River End season ticket holders for away fans.
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The first thing to mention is that the meeting has had a change of venue. It was initially expected to be held in the Legends lounge in the South Stand - but has been moved to the Lion and Castle due to the demand.

We are about to get underway - Elliot King, Zoe Webber and Anthony Richens have taken their seats. There is a very decent turnout here. Standing room only in half of the Lion and Castle.

This evening will be split into two parts:
1) A presentation hosted by Anthony Richens - finance and operations director
2) A Q&A with Richens and Zoe Webber, executive director

Richens is now speaking. The first slide is about the vision for the future at Carrow Road - essentially an explanation of what their doing and how they want to ensure the stadium is future proofed for the next generation. That involves maximising the potential of all the stands, not just the City Stand.

The next slide is the image of the phased plans to improve the stadium - the fanzone, moving the away fans. It’s the one that has been publicly released. Richens is explaining it’s about improving it moving forward. Crowd already a bit tetchy.

We are still on the same slide with Richens making the case for improved fan experiences within the ground and explaining, through each phase, what the thinking was behind the changes.

There is unhappiness in the room as an image of the fanzone is flashed onto the screen. Richens is explaining the process of going through the relevant processes for its development which includes planning permission. That requires some more consultation and work. The aim is to deliver it as soon as possible.

Lots of shout of ‘why’ as Richens begins to explain the moving of the away fans. Lots of interjections from the room as he tries to make the presentation.

Richens explaining that the moving of fans from the River End was driven by improving the match experience for home supporters. He makes the case that the views, concourses and general facilities will be better.

We are currently looking at some images of what the allocations will look like within the River End. 500 takes one block (closest to the City Stand), 1,000 is two blocks. The full allocation in the River End (2,000 in the Championship) doesn’t stretch across the entire of the lower stand.

Other areas were considered for the move including the upper River End and the Joma Corner part of the South Stand. That was impossible for safety and logistical reasons upon consultation with the safety advisory group and the police.

Richens currently making the point that the changes will give them the opportunity for future pricing opportunities - including potential youth discounts.


Richens now going through the process that has involved presenting plans to the Canaries Trust and Supporter Panel. They also held a meeting with wider fan groups (about 30 people) on a Teams meeting earlier this month.

A new season ticket renewal plan is being drafted. There will also be survey’s and priority will be given to those moving seat. Renewals won’t happen until January - but there will be a chance for questions for those moving before that point.

Now onto the Q&A part of tonight…
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Passionate opening statement from the front - with the gentlemen making the case that supporters don’t want an ‘improved match day experience’ but want fans in the River End ‘left alone’. Generates big response from those inside the room.


Second Q is about who decided that sitting on the halfway line is a better experience than behind the goal.

Richens takes that on. He makes the case that they’ve identified that area as the best place for home fans to be. There is lots of discontent and interjections throughout that answer.

Next Q is from one of those affected supporters who sits in the South Stand. He also asks about the the route for away fans through Riverside on a matchday.

Richens replies, noting it won’t be popular in the room, that it will be used for premium seating. On the route for the away fans - he makes the point that away fans (expected for certain games, e.g. Ipswich), there isn’t any escort into the ground. Most of them wander to the ground at their leisure.

Richens confirms the fan zone will be covered and heated.


The next supporter shares some frustrations around the consultation which makes the point that moving those in the River End to the away section is a worse view than they currently get.

Zoe Webber argues that it would have been impossible to consult with three or four thousand people. It would have resulted in lots of different view. She makes the point it was presented to the fans panel and the Canaries Trust.

The next question is about the impact this will have on the atmosphere.

Webber says it was raised by the supporters panel - hence the creation of the vocal section in the Wensum Corner.

Next question is from a resident who lives on Carrow Road, who asks about the assessment process for those who live next door to the ground.

Richens explains it is why the process to start the fanzone has taken more time, for those considerations. He says that consultation will involve residents as part of the planning permission process.

Richens confirms that all pricing for those moved from the River End will be maintained unless those supporters decide to move again.

Next question is from a fan who is asking a question on behalf of her mother, who has attended a game at Carrow Road for 70 years and requires help through the matchday buddies scheme.

Webber reiterates that the club will do their best to honour everyone’s individual requirements in the renewal process.

Next question is from a gentleman towards the front who makes the point that this is a ‘money grab’ decision.

Webber says the club is required to make money. She mentions the importance of making the environment better and says the club have received complaints about the quality of the facilities in the River End.

The next Q is from a supporter who is asking about access to the lift for disabled supporters in the Joma Corner, as well as considering the wider impact of the pubs and hospitality locations across the ground.

Richens says they will need to create improved disability access for away supporters. There is room now in the current away section. He has committed to working to improve those facilities for disabled supporters moving forward. He then raises the study that showed NCFC benefited the local community and economy.

Next questions asks how it is going to help the team kicking towards a large group of away fans.

Webber makes the point that it will only be a small portion of the River End taken up by those fans, and not the entirety of the end.

The next Q is on the logistics of the move. Will it be a mad scramble to select a seat online?

Richens says it won’t be a mad scramble and the process will take into account the priorities of individual supporters.

Next Q is on the proposed changes to the away section and how that will work.

Richens says they will convert the ‘Yellows’ restaurant into turnstiles for away supporters, which is part of their planning permission application.

Very articulate question from a gentleman who has brought two generations to Carrow Road and wants to remain in the stand. He asks if the sole driver for the changes is to introduce premium seating.

Richens answers. He makes the same case as Webber earlier in the night that the club needs to make money to invest onto the pitch and into the City Stand.

Unsatisfied with that answer and some follow ups, the gentleman leaves of his accord to applause from some in the room.

Next Q is about the hotel in the corner and whether that could be purchased by the club.

Richens says Attanasio and Ressler made similar enquiries but it isn’t possible.

Some real unhappiness in the room again.

There is a lot of anger in the room tonight. It has bubbled to the surface on multiple occasions throughout this meeting.

The next question is about whether there will be people sitting next to each other paying different prices for their season ticket.

Richens says they will prioritise those being replaced. That will be communicated in the coming months ahead of January’s renewal - that will include pricing and it will clear who is paying what for what area.

Next Q is from a woman who sits in the Barclay and is disappointed by the decision owing to atmosphere. The next question is about segregation from the proposed vocal corner.

Richens argues that there are other stadiums were the away end is further away from home stands (he gives the example of Anfield). He says that remains under review.

The next supporter is making the point a poll to supporters asking them their thoughts would have been a better way to run that process.

Richens says it would have involved thousands of different answers.

Final few Qs of the night - what have the police made of the changes?

Richens says they are part of the safety advisory group and have been involved in the conversations around stewarding and other safety aspects. They are comfortable with the proposals.

Gentleman has now taken the mic and is making the point that when the South Stand was developed, fans were moved temporarily but there was a vision and supporters were taken on that journey. He finishes by encouraging those presenting the plans to go away and think about. He makes the point that Norwich fans aren’t dinosaurs to change. He ends by imploring them to put fans over money. ‘Please listen to us. We want to be a passenger on that journey and not a corporate number on a spreadsheet.’

Next Q is about what will happen after tonight and whether there will a rethink and a rethink.

Webber argues that if they do not make this step, the stadium will not develop and move forward.

Next Q is from a father who has a child impacted by autism. Also makes the case for those who suffer from anxiety. He is asking what has been done to assess the impact of moving those supporters, who will be affected by the change.

Richens thanks the gentleman for the question and says they have consulted on this area with the relevant people. The architects are experts in developing stadiums in this way. He says they know there is a need to develop those facilities, including the City Stand to help further those facilities further.

Next Q is on what happens if the planning permission for the fanzone is rejected?

Richens says they would have to consider their options around that. But the other changes would continue to be made.

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That concludes the evening. One thing that has come through is the strength of feeling from the fanbase, especially those affected. Some fans opt to boo as the evening is drawn to the conclusion.

Posted By: DrDublin on October 15th 2025 at 19:47:02

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