Well what a campaign, from worst home defeat to runaway champions of Coca-Cola League One, with probably the highest registered points won in the history of the Club and highest number of league wins in a season. My heartfelt thanks go to all the players, coaches and obviously Paul Lambert. The squad's performance has been at times almost imperial while during difficult games we have always dug deep and battled on in a pugnacious style which we have not seen at Carrow Road for many a year. Backbone, grit, edge and determination are all words that come to mind as I reprise the season. Moreover, we have feasted on good football.

As Paul continues to remind us it has been a team performance and that team includes all our backroom staff, grounds people, stewards, caterers and above all the fans both home and away. I well remember a cold, Tuesday evening in January at Walsall, 1-0 down, 10 minutes to play and a pitch comprising treacle toffee pudding. Did our fans doubt their team? Never, they helped suck the ball into the Walsall net and we left with three points. Thank you all.

Particularly pleasing for us all this year has been the advancement of so many Academy players in to the first team squad. Norwich City firmly believes in nurturing young talent and I am sure we have seen promising players this season who will reach the heights of the game, preferably with us.

Off the field football finance has been the talking point of the industry as well as at Norwich City. Clearly, the current benefactor model in the Football League versus the stupendous sums involved in the Premier League cannot continue. As I write, the Premier League has offered the Football League a "gift" of higher solidarity payments. The price is we acquiesce in their demands for larger and longer parachute payments and an easier route for the big boys to entice youth players away from Football League clubs. If we do not agree they will remove any offer of further assistance. Some partner!

Our club still has financial issues but I am pleased to report we are in better shape than this time last year. We will enter the Championship with a budget that will allow us to compete for a top six position, not to consolidate and above all we will begin the season with a winning mentality.

Finally, please give our players your irrepressible vocal support today, above all, for those where it may be the last time we see them in the yellow and green. I wish everyone a glorious summer, a memorable World Cup and I look forward to seeing you all back here again next season.

Alan Bowkett
Chairman