ANDREW and Sharon Turner have not discussed buying out Delia Smith and husband Michael Wynn Jones to become majority shareholders of Norwich City, it was confirmed at the Club's AGM.

Speaking after being formerly elected to the Canaries' board, Mr Turner made a speech to the gathered shareholders setting out the couple's hopes and plans for the future with the Football Club.

Mr Turner also said they would be assessing the continued performance of City chief executive Neil Doncaster and "holding him to account" in their role as non-executive directors, however they believed he was the right man for the job.

He added that he and his wife were not "a front" for local businessman and millionaire Peter Cullum, but that their door was "always open" for discussion with other potential shareholders who "share our ideals".

In his first formal address to shareholders since being invited onto the Board some five months ago, Mr Turner also urged supporters to resist a culture of blame and concentrate their efforts on backing the players and caretaker manager Jim Duffy at this weekend's game with Bristol City.

More than 500 shareholders were estimated to have attended, with a lively question and answer session lasting almost two hours taking place after the official business, including re-electing Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones to the Board, had been completed. 

Andrew Turner's full speech to the AGM is below.

"Good evening everyone.

I thought it might be helpful to give you our perspective of the Football Club. Until five months ago we were just like you - Canary fans who were also shareholders. But obviously over the last five months we have been on the inside. So what can we tell you?

First and foremost the reason we signed up is because we are both life-long Canary fans. And my dad was a fan before me. In a sad month for Canary fans the death of Johnny Gavin has particular resonance for me. He was my Dad's all-time favourite Norwich City player.

Secondly we joined up because we bought into Delia and Michael's vision that the Club should continue with a strong community focus. We think it should be owned and run by Canary fans. For us the club is a very important Norfolk institution. Bluntly if Delia and Michael's plan was to sell out to a foreign investor we would not be sitting here today.

Thirdly our role is that of Non-Executive Directors. That means we, together with the other Non-Executive Directors, are there to provide a check and balance on the executive team. And we do that on behalf of all shareholders of the Club - not just Delia and Michael. Our role is to ask three simple questions:

-Have we got the right man?

-Has he got the right plan?

-Is he delivering it?

It is that simple.

To start we believe Neil is the right man. But don't think that means we will give him an easy time. Quite the opposite. As independent Directors we will be constantly assessing his performance and holding him to account. Next we have a business plan that has been developed by Neil and his team which we review and update on a regular at least monthly basis. And so far we are broadly on track in delivering that plan.

Fourthly what is our commitment to you? Its simple really. We are very happy to be held to account. We have set ourselves our own objectives of what we want the Club to achieve. First and foremost amongst that is promotion to the Premier League. If we don't achieve that in a reasonable timeframe we will unquestionably step down and let someone else try to. Ten days ago I saw Peter Grant very admirably put the Club first before anything else. We would do the same. And as much as this club means to us and notwithstanding how proud we are to be Directors if we fail we will step down without question.

Lastly,

- Contrary to what you might have read in the Sun we have not discussed replacing Delia and Michael as majority shareholders;

- We are not a front for Peter Cullum at Towergate or anyone else. We have never met him, although our door is always open for discussion to other potential shareholders who share our ideals.

To finish I have one special request that I make on behalf of the Board. Without question we are not where we would want to be at present. But blaming each other won't help matters. Sharon and I think we have a good squad of players to build on. Now is the time for everyone in the Club to stand in line behind Jim and the players and give their maximum support for Saturday's game against Bristol City. My simple request is please help us do that and get this great club moving upwards again.

Thank you."