NCFC
Hello and welcome to the live webchat with board director Michael Wynn Jones.

Michael Wynn Jones
Afternoon all, thanks for joining me for this webchat. We've had some questions in advance and please send in any more you have, I'll answer as many as possible in the hour ahead.

NCFC
The first question is submitted by email:
Once again City have withdrawn from the Reserves league. Apparently we are not alone in finding the current reserve system neither bridges the gap between academy and first team nor keeps fringe players fit.
However as we have seen before trying to fix up occasional "friendly" games doesn't work very well either. What steps are the club taking to try to persuade the Football League to review and improve the current system?
William White

Michael Wynn Jones
Hi William, the decision about reserve football is very much in the manager's hands and we are confident that with our network we can find suitable opponents. We believe the players will get much better opportunities by our having the chance to select who we play, and when, and where. Talking to the League about reserve fixtures may well be on the agenda but not immediately.

paulncfc
Do you agree with the need for a wage cap for players?

Michael Wynn Jones
Hello Paul,
personally I do, yes. It was very much on the agenda of former Chairman of the League Lord Mawhinney and he had some very constructive proposals, which sadly some clubs with extremely rich owners weren't prepared to contemplate. I feel sooner or later it has got to happen.

NCFC
Hello Michael,
Is there any truth in the club being approached by Lotus F1 team principal Tony Fernandes.
Regards
Ali Rodriguez

Michael Wynn Jones
Hi Ali,
Tony Fernandes did indeed approach us, but it was to see if we could give him tickets for the match against Southend, which we were more than happy to do. He was most impressed by the Club that evening and that was it. I suspect he has more pressing things on his mind at the moment with the start of the F1 season and the exciting involvement of his Lotus team. Of course as we both recognise, with both our colours being yellow and green, there may be some future marketing opportunities for both of us.

Jake Ward
Hello Michael, is there any truth in Carrow road having an increase stadium capacity at the end of the season with so many fans renewing their season tickets?

Michael Wynn Jones
Hello Jake, it would be wonderful if we found a way to increase our capacity without building. This is being investigated as we speak. Obviously, any additions to or replacement of existing stands has got to be a long-term project, not least for financial reasons. But also, we would have to make absolutely certain we could fill extra capacity before we created it otherwise it could be a financial disaster.

Tony
How confident are you that the Club will be able to manage the current debt and not have to go into administration

Michael Wynn Jones
Hello Tony,
we do have a positive relationship with our bank and our lenders, which makes me confident we can manage our debt. For the answer to the second part of your question may I refer you to the News of the World of February 28!

NCFC
First of all Michael, I would like to thank you and Delia for all that you have done for the Club over the years. My question to you is that if everything goes to plan and we are promoted this season (hopefully as champions) is there a plan in place to make sure that we hold on to the players that have helped get us there (i.e. Holt, Hoolahan, and Martin). I am aware that Chris Martin has signed a new deal which is great news, but regarding Grant and Wes I think a lot of fans would like to see either a new or extended contract offered as a reward for what they have achieved this season and it would show real ambition from the board in getting us back to where we really want to be.
Thanks
Nick Taylor (Flying the flag for the canaries in Yorkshire)

Michael Wynn Jones
Greetings to Yorkshire and thank you for your kind words. First of all I think it's important to recognise the contribution from the entire playing squad, but specifically the two players you mention, Grant Holt and Wes Hoolahan, I'm delighted to say already have a number of years left on their contracts.

Richard
At what stage are we with Deloittes?

paulncfc
Any news from Deliottes yet?

adamhynd
What's the situation with Deloittes?

Michael Wynn Jones
Hi Richard, Adam and Paul,
we are in constant communication with Deloittes, but in practice we are still at stage one and that is identifying and verifying potential investors from around the world. It shouldn't be surprising that this is a long drawn-out process. Delia and I are as anxious as anyone for something concrete to materialise if it's for the benefit of the Club.

Derek
Hello, Michael, Thank you for all the time and money that you have invested in this the Football Club. How important do you think it has been this season to introduce new people on to the board, such as David McNally and Alan Bowkett, and has this resulted in fresher thinking within the Football Club... OTBC

Michael Wynn Jones
Thank you Derek for your comments, back in May it was not just important, it was vital to get a new regime in place. It was in fact a pivotal moment. We knew what the Club needed and all I can say is we were incredibly fortunate to get David McNally as our Chief Executive, with his track record and deep knowledge of football. And obviously, the Board needed to be overhauled and perhaps have more financial experience. Alan Bowkett and Stephan Phillips have undoubtably provided that and I can tell you for sure that there is a wind of change blowing through this Club thanks to these three.

Matt
With the recent speculation regarding Tony Fernandes, and his visit to the Southend match, would it not be in the interests of the club to invite other reported potential investors to visit Carrow Road?

Michael Wynn Jones
Hello Matt, we would be more than happy to invite genuine potential investors to Carrow Road - that is opposed to 'reported' potential investors of which there have been legion over the years, and quite honestly I don't think we have the seats to spare.

Rob Jones
Hi Michael, after promotion is achieved what sort of transfer kitty will be available for next season?

aj the new canary fairy
Hi Michael, I was wondering when we get out of this division. Will there be any more financial backing to make signings in the summer?

Michael Wynn Jones
Hello Rob, for competitive reasons we would never publish what our potential transfer kitty might be, but you may be quite certain that the Board is already sitting down with the Manager to discuss his needs and how we can meet them, whichever league we are playing in next year. Clearly we hope it is in the Championship but there are still nine games to go and a lot of work to do.

Nick Warren
Hi Michael. What plans have the Club got in terms of a celebration, should we win the League One title?

NCFC
Also taken on email earlier today from BobCanary from London:
Do you agree there is no cause for celebration when City win promotion as was suggested by Chris Lakey in the EDP at the weekend?
Cheers
Bob

Michael Wynn Jones
Hi Nick and BobCanary,
I usually don't comment on newspaper articles but I have to say there was more than a hint of arrogance about this one. Frankly, I found it disrespectful to the team and the manager and their achievements, to the fans and their commitment and to League One, which happens to be in the top ten biggest leagues in Western Europe (ranked by attendance). We have of course not won promotion yet, but if that happens we would consult with our fans as to the appropriate way to celebrate, but celebrate we would. Any manager would tell you there are not many opportunities to win trophies in football, but if you are good enough to do so then you should celebrate.

James
Delia once said she would never consider foreign ownership, but has that now changed with the likes of Fernandes and others? Also would you and Delia be prepared to step away totally if a new owner wanted total control?

Michael Wynn Jones
Hi James, last question and a good one. I believe Delia and I have been absolutely consistent on this matter. We would never stand in the way of any change that would be in the best interests of this club. On the question of foreign ownership the only thing I would personally say about this is that you have to make doubly certain about the validity and intentions of any foreign investor. They too would be welcome if we were convinced that they subscribed to the values this Football Club has always maintained.

Michael Wynn Jones
Thank you so much for all your questions, I'm sorry if I waffled on and couldn't get to the dozens of you who submitted. See you all on Saturday, OTBC!