NORWICH City's newly-appointed Chairman Ed Balls greeted the media on Monday in his first press conference since joining the Club.

The ex-Shadow Chancellor told the assembled press that it is a "great honour and a privilege to do this job."

"Everyone knows this is a well-run community club, which is huge tribute to Michael and Delia and the leadership they’ve shown over very many years, as well as to the Chief Executive David McNally and all colleagues who do such a brilliant and professional job here at the Club." he said.

"I've been a supporter here of Norwich for forty years, and the reason that I've been asked to come and do this is primarily because I'm a fan but also because we need someone who can Chair the board and can do the financial side of it as well."

Mr Balls set out his vision for what he wants to help the Club achieve, discussing the Premier League and financial stability.

"Short-term, medium-term and long-term I want to help the Board, help David, in doing everything we can to secure the long-term future of Norwich as a top flight club," he added.

"We've now been in the Premier League for four seasons of five, but I don't think anybody yet is thinking our long-term future as a Premier League club is secure – that's work that we still need to do.

"It's about the strategy and the finances, as well as the footballing side, and I want to help make sure we secure that."

Having supported City since he was a child, Mr Balls spoke of his love for the Club and how he wants the Canaries to progress.

"There is a real sense of purpose and strategy. The Club is thinking about the next transfer window and the one after that, to make sure we secure ourselves commercially and financially as well as on the footballing side.

"Norwich is full of people who care passionately about the club and its success, and that's true of the people in the stands, the season ticket holders, right the way up to the majority shareholders of the Board. We're all fans and that's important."

Whilst he is now involved with football in a boardroom capacity, Mr Balls did admit that his aspirations of becoming a professional player ended with an unsuccessful trial with Wolves when he was 11 years old.

He assured fans that his role as Chairman would be a primary responsibilty, remarking: "This is a non-executive, unpaid job that I’m doing alongside other things, but I can assure people that I'll be doing this properly and how it should be done.

"Everything in my life I've tried to do properly to the best of my abilities and that's the same for when I'm the Chairman of the Board as well.

"That means any time, day or night, that David or his team want to talk to me about anything then I'll be there for them."

Mr Balls watched on as City defeated Aston Villa 2-0 thanks to goals from Jonny Howson and Dieumerci Mbokani in his first game since taking on the post.

ED BALLS: IT'S A GREAT HONOUR

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