Munby in pledge to use bonus ticket cash

Norwich City chairman Roger Munby has revealed that the rise in season ticket sales will “directly affect” how much Peter Grant has to spend in the summer.

Munby praised the supporters for their show of loyalty after the Canaries announced yesterday that the number of next season's season tickets have risen compared with sales for the 2006/07 season.

With the loss of Premiership parachute payments, the sales of season tickets has taken on even greater importance at the club and the City chairman paid tribute to fans for “setting their own agenda” at Carrow Road.

“I'm absolutely thrilled,” said Munby. “I really didn't expect that we would exceed last season's sales.

“The level of performances and results has not been as everyone would have liked but it shows the positive attitude and resilience of the fans. Yet again they are setting the agenda for their football club.

“Obviously the money generated from season ticket sales will directly affect the budget that Peter has to work with. It strongly supports us in terms of what we can do with team strengthening.”

Munby added that the Championship is still going to be a difficult financial climate to operate in next season.

“The football club continues to find it very difficult to make ends meet in the Championship,” he said.

“But we feel terribly humbled in the face of our fans. Norwich and Norfolk have taken complete ownership of their football club and it shows that they have really got the bit between their teeth in terms of wanting an improvement from the club.”

Grant added his voice to Munby's and saluted the positive attitude displayed by fans.

“I'm delighted the fans have responded in the way they have so far,” said the City boss.

“It's easy to support your team when they are always doing well, but it's tough when you've not had the success we all want.

“I know that if we can match the positivity and passion the fans have shown all season, then we can really go places.”