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Norfolk Holdings has completed its majority takeover of Norwich, with Delia Smith and her husband Michael Wynn Jones no longer part of the club’s board.
It was announced in August that Norfolk Holdings, led by Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, was set to increase its shareholding to around 85%, which would result in Smith and Wynn Jones stepping down as directors and becoming honorary life presidents.
A statement from Norwich on Monday evening confirmed the change in majority shareholder, with long-serving duo Smith and Wynn Jones now holding a 10% stake in the Championship club.
“Norwich City Football Club can confirm that Norfolk Holdings, the group led by Mark Attanasio, have completed the conversion of the entire D Preference Shares into Ordinary Shares on a one-for-one basis,” a statement read.
“As a result, Norfolk Holdings now owns approximately 85% of the club’s ordinary share capital, with Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones holding 10%, and the remainder being held by the club’s other shareholders.
“The club’s board of directors remains consisting of Mark Attanasio, Richard Ressler, Tom Smith and Zoe Webber.”
Celebrity chef Smith and Wynn Jones have been shareholders at Norwich since 1996, but Attanasio bought a 15.9% stake in 2022. Last April it was increased to 40.4% and Attanasio’s Norfolk Holdings group now owns “approximately 85%” of Norwich, who are 11th in the Championship but still in the mix for the playoffs despite a run of one win in five.
Smith’s rallying cry of “let’s be having you” and “where are you?” at half-time during Norwich’s clash with Manchester City in February 2005 remains one of the most famous speeches of the Premier League era.
Norwich’s then majority shareholder took the field with a microphone after watching her side pegged back to 2-2 after taking a two-goal lead. Smith’s call to arms did not inspire a second-half winner for the Canaries, with City sealing a 3-2 win.
