Canaries chief executive Neil Doncaster has launched a vigorous defence of the Norwich City board, insisting that the sacking of Nigel Worthington wasn't “an old pals' act” and that the directors were in it for love, not money.

Canaries chief executive Neil Doncaster has launched a vigorous defence of the Norwich City board, insisting that the sacking of Nigel Worthington wasn't “an old pals' act” and that the directors were in it for love, not money.

Worthington departed in October with a £600,000 pay-off, but while some fans believe he should have gone earlier, Doncaster insisted the board had not sat idly watching the team's demise

“Sentiment, any perceived friendship with Nigel, or a lack of ruthlessness - none of these was a factor that in any way influenced the decision about our manager,” he says in his column for the EDP.

Doncaster also insisted directors were putting money into the club, rather than taking it out - while questioning the motives of some of football's big-money investors from overseas.

“There are no creative 'expenses' or allowances,” he continued. “They pay for their own travel to away matches. They do not even get free meals at Carrow Road. Each director (unless they are entertaining the away directors) buys all their own food and drink on home match days.

“These are people who are not involved in Norwich City for any reason other than that they love the club and wish to use the skills and money that they have acquired through their successful business careers to help the club as best they can.”