Mark Attanasio

In 1996, Delia Smith And her husband, Michael, became majority shareholders in Norwich City when the club was at its lowest financial ebb. She has remarked that the club was technically insolvent at that time.

In the decade leading up to that point, it had been the club's most sucessful period, being in the running for the League title in 1989 and for the fist Premier League title in 1992-93. Although the club didn't win the league in 1993, they did qualify for Europe, and played in the three rounds beating Vitese and Bayen before AC Milan won both 3rd round legs 1-0.

But the then chairman, Robert Chase, had overspent, and the banks wanted liquidity returned, so players were sold. As more players were sold, the club stumbled on the pitch until relegation happened in 1995, and only a last weekend win saved a second relegation the following year.

Chase, it appeared, did not want to stand down until he passed the ten year anniversary of becoming chairman.

Smith and Jones didn't always get things right, certainly not at first. They did oversee a run to the Play Off final in the club's centenary year in 2002, but lost on penalties to Birmingham. Two years later, under manger Nigel Worthington, the club won the last First Division title and promotion to the Premier League, but failed to stay there and were relegated again 12 years later.

Worse was to come as the club seemed to lose its way, and in May 2009, was relegated to the third tier for the first time in 49 years. But the club would be a big fish in a League One pond, no?

No.

Not at first. First game, City lost 7-1 to Colchester, a result that demanded action. The club robbed Colchester of thir manager, Paul Lambert, and with the same squad secured promotion not only back to the Championship but the next year, another promtion back to the Premier League where the club enjoyed a mid-table finish first season back.

But if you rob your manager from a smaller club, then it stands to reason when a big club comes knocking, Lambert would leave to join them too, which is what he did. Seemingly his contract at the club not tight enough to prevent this. City then employed Chis Houghton, aka the nicest man in football, but the style of the club changed, and after just surviving in 2013, releagtion happened again the following year. Former player, Neil Adams was appointed, but when a soft FA Cup defeat left them listless, he was removed and fairly unkown Alex Neil was appointed from Hamilton.

The season was revived, and a run to the play-off final againast Middlesborough lead to a 2-0 win and promotion, and another open-topped bus tour through the fine city.

Relegation followed, and when the next season it became clear that no back to back promotions were going to happen, Neil was sacked. The next summer, unknown German coach, Daniel Farke was appointed, and over the next three transfer windows, pretty much the entire first team squad was sold and replaced, the exception being Alex Tettey. That first season ended in a poor run of the season to finish just below Ipswich in mid-table, but signs were there, disbelieving fans were told, and Farke and Sporting Director, Stuart Webber, were happy, and the new squard lead up front by free transfer Temu Pukki cruised to the title.

Relegation followed, and then an even better promotion as champions followed. Only for the season to be even worse and City finished the season bottom of the table with their lowest points total, and became the first club to be relegated from the Premier League five times.

Life has not been dull. Sucess and failure, rousing seasons followed by chastening ones in the league above.

Delia has been trying to seel the club for 12 years at least, but cares deeply about the club and its future, and wouldn't sell it to anyone. But Delia and Michal are getting no younger, so a shareholding has been sold to Mark Attansio from Milwaukee will now be the majority shareholder, but little will change for three years, which bars any more share accuisition by the American. But after that, who knows?

Delia and Norwich could not compete with monied clubs backed by millionaire and billionaire owners, the self-funding model only can take you so far. History will look kindly on her and Michael, caring custoians, and Delia who wrote three how to cook books just to raise money for the club. Decisions were not always right, sometime made with the heart rather than the head.

We shall never see the likes of her and Michael again.