Norwich City have pledged to make 'radical and far-reaching changes' after coming under fire from the biggest group representing fans. Major changes in the boardroom and on the pitch are promised in a statement issued by the club following last week's public meeting at St Andrew's Hall.

Norwich City have pledged to make “radical and far-reaching changes” after coming under fire from the biggest group representing fans.

Major changes in the boardroom and on the pitch are promised in a statement issued by the club following last week's public meeting at St Andrew's Hall.

Norwich City Independent Supporters' Association, who staged the meeting, yesterday called on fans to apply for their season ticket rebate in the wake of relegation to League One.

But while acknowledging that mistakes had been made, the club defended Bryan Gunn and his management team, and the existing directors.

The statement read: “The club totally understands the anger and frustration following relegation, which prompted 400 to 500 of our fans to answer NCISA's call for a meeting at St Andrew's Hall recently.

“We recognise their passionate support for the club and thank them for the views expressed at and after the meeting. The departure of our chairman and chief executive last week represented the start of an on-going process of real and substantial change at the top of the club. More changes at board level will occur - and new people with fresh ideas and strategic vision will help to lead Norwich City through the summer and into the 2009-10 campaign.

“The club remains totally united behind our manager Bryan Gunn and his management team of Ian Butterworth, Ian Crook and John Deehan. The board's decision to appoint them for next season means we have a team steeped in Norwich City tradition fired up and ready to guide us through a busy summer.

“It will be a summer of much-needed changes to the playing squad and a whole new approach regarding the type of player who will be representing this club in the future. Bryan and his staff now have a firm mandate to roll their sleeves up and get on with this massive challenge and they are doing just that.

“As far as the season ticket rebate is concerned, the club recognises how important this issue is and will be contacting season ticket holders with further information in the near future.

“Finally, as far as potential investment leading to a change of majority shareholding is concerned, once again the message from directors is clear. They would be delighted to talk to anyone who is prepared to commit to making a substantial investment into the football budget on an on-going basis in return for shares. No such person has actually made any such offer to the board, despite much talk in the local press suggesting otherwise.

“The only people currently committed to investing substantial amounts of cash into the football squad are our existing directors, Delia Smith, Michael Wynn Jones and Michael Foulger, though they are in talks with members of the Norfolk business community who may be able to lend financial support.

“That mistakes have been made the club fully accepts - the league table does not lie. However the club has started a process of radical and far-reaching changes to make sure we learn from those mistakes. Our best chance of those changes resulting in a successful future for the Canaries is for all of us who love the club to unite and look forward to facing the challenges ahead together.”