CANARY skipper Grant Holt says he was honoured to cap off a fantastic season for both himself and Norwich City by lifting the League One trophy aloft at Carrow Road.

The 29-year-old has broken his own goalscoring record for a season after netting 30 times for the Canaries this campaign, helping them on their way to the League One title and Championship football next season. The striker was also voted by Norwich City fans as their Anglian Home Improvements Player of the Season, joining a prestigious list of Canary legends on the Barry Butler Memorial Trophy.

"It's been a great day," he said. "We've been waiting a few weeks for it and we've been waiting to get our hands on the trophy and get it lifted."

Asked what it was like to lift the trophy in front of a packed Carrow Road, Holt replied: "You just think don't drop it! That's all you think. No, it was a great feeling. You look round and you know - we've got this Civic Reception on Thursday and thousands will be there. It's a fantastic football club and to come here and lift the trophy is fantastic and a memory I'll always treasure."

The Carlisle-born striker was unable to play against his home team on Saturday having had ankle surgery last week, but hopes this will give him every opportunity to be fighting fit come pre-season: "Now I've had it done it feels great. They've checked it over and it's looking really good and hopefully I can get ready for July 1 and the Championship.

"It's been tough, the medical team have had to keep an eye on it. I've had to have days off and it's been a little bit niggly. But like I said when it comes to a football game you forget about it and they've been great the way they've managed it."

FANS' FAVOURITE: Grant Holt lifts the Barry Butler
Memorial Trophy ahead of the Carlisle match

Holt says the focus will now be on planning for next season in the Championship, where he believes Norwich can compete: "Of course we all know we can," he said. "It's just about the manager, he's obviously got to do what he needs to do in the transfer window, bringing the players in to help the squad along. I'm sure if we play the way we normally do we'll be fine and we'll see.

"Next year is all about consolidating and getting ready and I don't think people should get too excited about us going to win the league, we'll wait and see. It's about consolidating and getting this Club back in the financial situation it should be, getting it set and ready to push on again."

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