Boardroom notes ahead of Swansea City fixture

Each home game, executive director Zoe Webber provides supporters with an update through her boardroom notes in our official matchday programme, OTBC.

Each home game, executive director Zoe Webber provides supporters with an update through her boardroom notes in our official matchday programme, OTBC.

Here are the notes ahead of today's Sky Bet Championship fixture against Swansea City:

Good afternoon and welcome back to Carrow Road.

The visit of Swansea City is a special occasion because it marks the return of Russell Martin to the club.

Russell is an iconic figure and I know that our supporters will give him the reception today that his association with Norwich City merits.

He is a true fan favourite, someone who remains part of Norfolk folklore following his stellar career in our club’s colours.

It is always a pleasure to welcome back former players and Russell’s return with Swansea gives us the opportunity to show our respect for one of our true greats.

He played just over 300 games for us and the bond he has with the supporters and the staff who are still part of the club is truly unique.

Russell’s assistant Matt Gill will also be alongside him in the dug-out and his career at Carrow Road is also respected by supporters and former colleagues.

Matt was here as a player before going on to coach our Under-23 team and we are looking forward to welcoming him back.

We have huge respect for both figures, but we must put that to one side at kick-off because the outcome of this fixture is important as we head into the final few games of the season.

At the end of the EFL Championship campaign there will be an opportunity to reflect, but today is a chance to make an impact against Swansea.

Your support, as ever, is critical.

We saw that last weekend when just over 7,500 supporters came through the turnstiles to watch our emerging women’s team play their final home game of the season against Ashford Town.

The incredible support and the passion you showed for our women’s team will live long in the memory for everyone associated with putting on our first league game inside this stadium.

That group of players, led by general manager Flo Allen, is making rapid progress and we will continue to support them as they target future success.

Your support is invaluable and many of you will also be back here tomorrow to watch our Under-21 team in their final home game of the season against Southampton.

We already have more than 2,700 coming to the game and although we have asked for pre-registration, supporters will be able to walk up on the day.

We know the power of a successful youth academy and this has been illustrated by the introduction of Abu Kamara into the first-team set-up in recent weeks.

Abu is a hugely-talented footballer and he has the potential to go on to become one of our most successful academy graduates.

He is a hard-working, dedicated young professional and his path to the first team underlines our commitment to developing players to protect the future of the club.

Today we have the immediate task of defeating Swansea and that is where our focus will be for the next 90 minutes.

Enjoy the game,

Zoe