Delia Smith and the importance of caring.
Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones were never owners of Norwich City Football Club. They were custodians, and, above all, fans. They will always be fans. The announcement that Delia and Michael are reducing their stake to 10% feels like the end of an era not only for Norwich, but also for English football. Local owners in it for the love of the club, not for the money, ego trips or power, are becoming sadly rare.
How many owners have organised food-and-wine workshops to raise money for their academy? How many owners have taken apprentices to local art galleries to expand their minds? How many owners tackle hate with love? Delia was once leaving a meeting at Carrow Road when an angry fan, desperate for the club to risk its future by spending more in the short-term, accosted her with the words, “you have brought our football club into the gutter. Please will you go”.
Many owners might have had security anyway who would have stepped in. Many owners might have blanked the fan. Some owners might have returned fire with ire. Delia’s response was simple. “Well, I still love you,” she told the fan. That wasn’t just sensible, disarming diplomacy. Delia’s good-hearted.