AVIVA Fan of the Year, Ian Ketteringham, says he was delighted to attend the Player of the Year dinner and share a table with Norwich City boss Bryan Gunn.

The competition, organised by main Club sponsors Aviva, was set up to find the most committed member of the Yellow and Green army. As the winner, 21-year-old Ian received a trophy on the pitch at the last home game of the season against Reading, which will have him name etched on to it. He and a guest were also hosted by Aviva at the Player of the Year Awards Dinner, where they met members of the Canary squad and City management team.

"The Player of the Year dinner was amazing," Ian told canaries.co.uk. "I sat next to Bryan Gunn and his wife Susan - Bryan was really good and helped me with any problems I had with my vision impairment, he was there to help me if I needed anything. I also sat with staff from Aviva. Bryan presented the trophy to me on stage in front of everyone.

Ian was one of six finalists who Norwich fans could send in their votes for as Fan of the Year - Walter Wiseman , 90, Kathy Blake, 53, Marc Goddard, 20, William Alecock, 79, and Allison Hardesty, 41. Mrs. Jocelyn Cross nominated Ian saying: "Ian has been a lifelong fan and season ticket holder of Norwich City Football Club. Ian is also overcoming a very sad disability. Last year he started to lose his sight, firstly in one eye and then the other. He has now been diagnosed with a genetic disorder, for which there is no known cure. He has carried on renewing his season ticket and comes to every game he is able, although he can hardly see the matches. The atmosphere keeps him going."

WINNER: Ian Ketteringham is presented his award by Terry Allcock and Roger Munby

Asked how he felt to be named as Fan of the Year, Ian added: "It was brilliant, it's such a great football club so it's a massive honour. I was nominated by a friend of the family, it was very kind of her to nominate me and I had no idea until I was shortlisted for the final six.

"I think a Fan of the Year has to be dedicated, and obviously committed to the team. You have to be loyal and stick with the Club through thick and thin, and stay positive and keep looking on the bright side.

"I've followed Norwich since I was seven, through the good times and the not so good - after I'd been to a few games, I caught the bug and it's gone from there. I check the internet several times a day to find out whether there's any transfer news or information about players' fitness."

As a partially-sighted City supporter, Ian said he's determined not to let anything get in his way of his enjoyment of the beautiful game: "I listen to all the games through BBC Radio Norfolk - Chris Goreham's commentary is very, very good. I like to be at the game because you get the atmosphere - obviously it would be better if I could see it but it's still nice to be at the ground when the game's going on. For the away games, I ring my mum and she puts the radio next to the phone so I can listen to the commentary through the phone.

"I'm a student in Liverpool, so through finances and location I can't always get to games but whenever I can, I go.  Fans will follow their club through thick and thin and stick with them, and I hope the good times will return soon. I just hope they come back sooner rather than later."