David Cuffley Top Premier League bosses gave Norwich City's new chief executive a glowing reference, Delia Smith revealed - on a day of double celebration for the celebrity cook.

David Cuffley

Top Premier League bosses gave Norwich City's new chief executive a glowing reference, Delia Smith revealed - on a day of double celebration for the celebrity cook.

The Canaries' joint majority shareholder said David McNally came highly recommended by Aston Villa and former Celtic manager Martin O'Neill and Fulham boss Roy Hodgson after working with both men.

Delia declared herself “very relieved and very excited” by the new appointment at Carrow Road, which coincided with a top personal honour with her elevation to CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to the food industry.

She said: “There were a lot of applications. We were beavering away in the background the whole time and now we've got our man. So we're really, really happy.

“I think the relationship between the chief executive and the football manager is a hugely important one and with David working alongside Roy and alongside Martin O'Neill, who's another friend of Norwich City Football Club, we got glowing reports from both of those.”

McNally had four-year spells at both Celtic and Fulham as marketing director and managing director, respectively, and joint majority shareholder Michael Wynn Jones said they had checked out his credentials with the two managers.

“He came very highly recommended by two of our old acquaintances in Martin O'Neill and Roy Hodgson and, frankly, when they speak, you take notice,” said Wynn Jones.

“It's no secret that it was Roy that introduced us to David and with a glowing testimonial.”

Wynn Jones described the recruitment process as “meticulous” and said the appointment marked “a very exciting day for Norwich City”.

He said: “What we need, where we are at the moment, is leadership, experience and drive, and I'm delighted to say we have all these qualities in our new chief executive.

“David is a leader and the staff at the football club will appreciate that. David's record at Celtic and at Fulham is second to none.”

City are also close to announcing new directors to fill the gaps left on the board by former chief executive Neil Doncaster and ex-chairman Roger Munby.

“There will be some, I hope, exciting additions to the board with the qualities we are looking for. We're very, very hopeful,” said Wynn Jones.

“I would absolutely not rule out in the near future David joining the board but this is a matter of discussion.”

Delia and Wynn Jones said they had finally shaken off the bitter disappointment of relegation.

She said: “I always think, come on, there's a new challenge here. Let's get back to the drawing board, let's roll our sleeves up and start again. Now I'm looking forward to the challenge.

“Because of the financial problems I have been working extremely hard doing another book and a TV series, but when that's all over I hope to be here more and getting involved here again. If we sell enough books, we might have enough money for a striker.”