Supporter Panel
The Supporter Panel is a sounding board for the club’s initiatives to gain genuine supporter feedback on a range of non-football related issues.
The Panel has up to 12 members who serve for a period of two seasons on a rotational basis. The Panel is made up of both elected supporters, as well as representatives from supporter groups.
To contact the Panel please email: supporterpanel@canaries.co.uk
Elected Panelists
Elected Panelists
James Ainsworth
I’ve been a Norwich City fan all my life and a season ticket holder for 20 years, following the Canaries home and away across the country. Even during six years working overseas, I kept watching every game I could and made it back to Carrow Road as often as possible.
Now settled back in Norfolk, I’m looking to bring that long-term supporter perspective to the panel, alongside a professional background in commercial strategy and compliance. Some of the best moments of my life have been at Carrow Road, and I’ve lived them with the supporters — I want them to know they have a voice in me.
Martin Betts
I’ve supported Norwich City for over 40 years, my first game back in 1985 against Manchester United in the long-forgotten Screen Sport Super Cup. I have been a home season ticket holder for the past 13 years but have also spent time following City away especially when I was an exiled Canary living in Yorkshire and Lancashire.
I started my working life as a sports journalist before moving into publishing, and most recently, the creative design industry. Throughout my career I have spoken to, interviewed, worked with, and done business with a wide range of different people from various walks of life. I feel this experience has given me communication skills that could benefit this role.
I want to represent supporters who may feel overlooked, particularly over-50s and those with mobility or sensory challenges, and fans in areas such as the Barclay End Upper, who deserve facilities akin to other areas of the ground. With high ticket prices, everyone deserves a quality matchday experience. As part of the Supporter Panel, I want to provide constructive feedback to help ensure fairness, accessibility, and value for all supporters.
Toby Clark
I am a young, enthusiastic Norwich City season ticket holder, I’ve grown up in Norwich and I am now studying at UEA, staying close to the club that I love.
As a young supporter, I will hope to be a voice for the younger generations of Norwich City fans, but empowering opinions and voices of all Canaries.
Josh Humphreys
I follow Norwich home and away and I’m aware of how unconditional the support for this club is. Having been born and raised in Norfolk, I will represent the interests of passionate supporters who want to feel valued and connected to their club. I’ll look to improve the atmosphere at home and away matches and ensure that ticketing rewards loyalty.
Esther Jacobs
As a proud Norwich supporter, I’m dedicated to ensuring football is safe, welcoming, and accessible for everyone.
I want to advocate for all fans across our community, with a strong focus on improving the matchday experience for neurodivergent supporters and championing women attending men’s matches. Every fan deserves to feel comfortable, valued, and heard when supporting our club. I’m excited to use my voice on the panel to make Carrow Road a truly inclusive place for all.
Sam Love
I am not only an avid fan who follows Norwich home and away, attending 17 away games last year and 20 home. I am also a resident of Cozens Road, about a minute’s walk behind the South Stand. I will champion issues pertaining both to the club and its fans, but also the residents who neighbour our great stadium.
It is a privilege to contribute to the club I have loved since I was a child as part of the Supporter Panel.
Dr Matthew Melsa
Since moving to Norwich in 2021, I’ve become a devoted fan, men’s and women’s season ticket holder and away match regular. Through NCFC I’ve fallen back in love with football (which has translated into ‘doing the 92’ over the last few years alongside following Norwich), and so it’s a great honour to be elected and have an opportunity to contribute to the Supporter Panel.
As a university lecturer, I’m experienced in working collegiately with diverse colleagues and bring professional expertise that may help the panel interpret and scrutinise evidence underpinning club proposals and policies. I’m keen to help the club broaden and diversify the supporter base, to share the mental health and well-being benefits that my support has given me, and to help the club become more environmentally sustainable.
Helen Southgate
I've supported Norwich City for over 30 years, attending matches with my dad and continuing to follow the club ever since. Supporting City has been a huge part of my life, and I've seen first-hand how much the club means to people across generations.
Professionally, I'm Chief Growth Officer at a global marketing agency, where I lead international teams and help organisations make strategic decisions through collaboration and open communication.
I'm passionate about ensuring Norwich City remains a club that's accessible, affordable and welcoming for everyone. As a member of the Supporter Panel, I hope to represent supporters with a balanced, constructive approach, helping strengthen the relationship between the club and its fans while protecting everything that makes Norwich City so special.
Supporter Group Panellists
Supporter Group Panellists
Richard Clinnick (Canaries Trust)
Born in Torquay, I was raised by a Norwich fan (who was also born in the West Country) and attended my first game in 1992 before attending regularly from 1997 onwards.
I’m a season ticket holder in the Lower Barclay as well as many away games each season. I even achieved my dream of playing on the hallowed Carrow Road turf in May!
My work on the Canaries Trust covers Mental Health matters, Marketing and Communications, making full use of my career as a journalist, as well as also working with Norwich City’s Food and Beverage Group.
Nicol Nicholls (Norwich City Women's Supporters Club)
I am a big Norwich City fan and have a season ticket in the Snake Pit at Carrow Road. However, my real passion is for the women's game, and I am involved in many ways including coaching a grassroots girls team. I have been a matchday volunteer for Norwich City Women FC for the past 3 seasons and have a close relationship with many fellow fans. This then evolved into the founding of Norwich City Women's Supporters Club with the aim of making the fans of the women's team feel closer to the wider club. We are registered with The FSA and sit on the women's network to ensure the fans of NCWFC are heard on a national level too. Joining the Supporter Panel is the latest step in us bringing the women's game into focus and pushes the message of ‘one shirt one football team’
Venetia Pritty (NCFC Accessibility Working Group)
Firstly, I am a proud & passionate Norwich City season ticket holder and have been supporting the club for many years.
Secondly, but just as important, I am a supporter with a disability later in life, when in my 30’s, which has really opened up my eyes to the importance of having a club which is accessible to all.
I am proud to be part of the Supporter Panel representing The Accessibility Working Group and all football supporters who require an accessible football ground so they can come and enjoy the games and facilities in safety and feel confident that the club recognises their needs.
Neville Townsend (Forces2canaries)
I've been a Norwich City fan since the early 70s and have a season ticket in the lower Barclay, plus I manage to attend around 15 away games most seasons. As a Royal Navy veteran (23 years) I joined Forces2Canaries in 2008 and became Chair in 2011, our group continues to grow with 320 members to date. I'll be advocating for Armed Forces/Veteran members as well as the wider fan base.