Statement from the New York Canaries

Since its founding, the New York Canaries has never felt the need to issue a statement regarding the feelings or beliefs of its members. Given NCFC's relegation as well as the recent call for 'change' from the board, The New York Supporters' Club has polled its members and we are in agreement as to the two questions posed to each member. Those questions are:

1) Should Neil Doncaster remain as Chief Executive?
2) Should Bryan Gunn remain as manager?

We believe the board is ultimately to blame for our relegation due to the awful appointments of Peter Grant and Glenn Roeder. Delia herself has said that she no longer has the funds to compete and would step aside should a suitable offer for the club materialize. We thank her for rescuing the club when she did and believe that she will, in fact, sell/ step down for the good of the club if it is deemed necessary.

We are sorry that some so-called supporters have short memories, forgetting what sort of mess the club would be in had she never come along. Who remembers the days of the 12,000 attendances? We do. Thank you Delia.

Overwhelmingly, the group demands Neil Doncaster either resign or be sacked as Chief Executive. Simply put, we cannot trust him. Many things he says to the media are half-truths at best, and his recent quote that NCFC would lose closer to 3 million pounds from relegation is a lie, easily uncovered by researching the loss in television revenue alone. He is a man who spins, with a bagful of excuses regarding football matters, club finance and other off-field concerns.

We, as fans, have had enough. We might not be the richest club by any stretch, but we deserve the truth, good or bad, and we rarely seem to get that from Mr. Doncaster. The failure of the Chief Executive of any company would warrant dismissal; Norwich City should be no different.

The New York Canaries also supports the continued on-field management team of Bryan Gunn with Ian Crook and Ian Butterworth at his side. Norwich City has enjoyed its greatest successes from managers promoted from within, with some degree of Norwich in their blood. The way the fans were treated by Glenn Roeder was reprehensible and respect for the fans, Norwich's greatest asset, should always come first.

Bryan Gunn bleeds yellow and green and if we're going to war, we'd rather have our manager tied to the club with his soul. We have every faith in Gunn to rebuild and move the club forward.

Faithfully Submitted,

Justin Koplin
Chairman
New York Canaries