Board Replies To Archant Questions...

The Board Replies...




1. Why did we sign just one player in the summer when it was obvious the squad was woefully short on quality?

"We did, indeed, make many attempts to sign players in the summer-Neil Doncaster was often on the phone as late as 8:00 at night! Sadly, clubs are reluctant to sell players in the summer when they are assessing their squads for thes eason ahead, and we did not want to bring in players just for the sake of it, there had to be a reason, and they had to want to come to Norwich City Football Club."

2. As we are in the second year of parachute payments and sold Dean Ashton and Robert Green for six-figure sums, why has so little money apparently been available on new players?

"I believe Neil has explained this before? Briefly, what you have to realise is that when players are sold, the whole sum is not available straight away. Much of the fee paid depends on appearences, honours won, international recognition etc. It is also crucial to remember that we have made substantial investment in the club which has cost a lot of money, but, investment that has to be made as part of our long term strategy to get Norwich City Football Club back into the Premiership."

3. Given the club has only has one major ?saleable asset? in Robert Earnshaw, who could now be ruled out for several weeks, will the board be in a position to free up money for the manager to spend in the transfer window?

"The Board has always backed the Manager in the transfer market and will make funds available if the right player becomes available and wants to come to Norwich City Football Club. Remember, we have already backed Peter with the signing of Chris Brown who is going to excite a lot of people. But we will not jeopardise the long term future of this club by paying what we consider to be extortinate fees and wages to players."

4. Peter Grant has hinted that a major reshuffle is needed. But can this be done when we have 13 players out of contract in the summer, none of whom will raise significant transfer fees?

"It could well be that some of the out of contract players are happy to stay at Norwich City Football Club, so there is no need to panic there!"

5. Despite rules restricting the players under the age of 16 who can be recruited, some clubs have seen youth team players break through to the first team. What has happened to our youth policy?

"Our Youth Policy is the envy of many clubs throughout Norfolk, and, only recently, has prodiced first team players like Robert Green and Jason Shackell. We are delighted with the progress of the Academy which will continue to be fruitful and producem players for Norwich City Football Club."

6. Attendances at Carrow Road are among the highest in the division and rarely fall below 24,000, whatever the opposition, and we had top-flight status just two years ago. Why is it so difficult to get players to come here or clubs, such as Arsenal, to agree to loan deals?

"First of all, can we just say that our fans are the best in the world? Thankyou. Secondly, with clubs like Arsenal, it is often difficult to get them to release players on loan when they might prefer them to go to other clubs. We have to disagree that players don't want to come here on loan-when they see the facilities at Colney, the restaurant, and how lovely a City Norwich is, many of them often admit that they would have joined us had the other club not also made an offer."

7. Where has the passion gone from Norwich City players who earn thousands of pounds a week but many of whom don't seem to be bothered about playing for the club?

"Neil assures me that the players are desperate to play for Norwich City and take a great pride in telling him so when thy pick up their wages and bonuses every month."

8. Is there a long-term strategy in place as regards the club's ambition to return to the Premiership? If so, what is it?

"Yes. Our rightful place IS in the Premiership and we shall do whatever we can to ensure that we get there again, but we shall not do so at the long term risk of Norwich City Football Club PLC. Prudence with prudence is our motto and we are sure that many of the clubs supporters agree with that."

9. With season tickets soon up for renewal, prices up 3.6 per cent and performances on the pitch abject, why should the board expect fans to sign up for next season?

"Can we just say that our fans are the best in the world? Thankyou! The actual increase of the season tickets, in real terms, has actually gone down whilst the waiting list has grown. We are sure that Carrow Road will be packed out next season, especially as there maybe lots of new clubs that we haven't seen before coming to play us."

10. Fans called for the dismissal of Nigel Worthington at a packed public meeting last season. Should the board have acted sooner and installed his replacement during the summer when he could have brought in his own players?

"The Board has full faith in Nigel and will continue to do so-we believe he is the best man to take us back to the...sorry, oh yes, sorry...that Peter will get us back to the Premiership where we deserve to be. It was sad to see Nigel go and we wish him all the best for the future. He was a lovely man who got us promoted and to a play off final."

Posted By: Martin Peters, Jan 18, 15:32:32