Bowkett’s shock exit shouldn’t halt Norwich City’s transfer dealings

Club chairman Alan Bowkett and chief executive David McNally present Norwich City's accounts at Carrow Road. Photo: Bill Smith (Image: Archant)

Bowkett's departure was announced yesterday, just two weeks after he was re-elected to the board at the annual meeting, but the Canaries' top brass are pressing ahead in their bid to bolster Alex Neil's Premier League squad next month. Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones remain as majority shareholders as the search for Bowkett's successor gets underway as part of an overall strategy to attract new directors.

City confirmed Bowkett's departure in an official statement, which is not believed to be linked to City's recent tough run of results, with the former chairman still fully-supportive of Neil's attempts to retain Norwich's top flight status.

It read: 'Norwich City can confirm Alan Bowkett has stepped down from his position as chairman and director of the club. The directors and all at Norwich City football club would like to place on record their thanks to Alan for his contribution.

'The club has been working recently to refresh the board of directors and an announcement about new directors and a new chairman will be made in the next few weeks.

'The ownership of the club will be unaffected by these changes.'

Bowkett was appointed chairman in July 2009 and was a key figure in stabilising the Canaries' financial situation following relegation to League One. The lifelong Norwich fan was a successful businessman prior to joining the board, with leading roles at a number of British and European companies.

Bowkett, along with chief executive McNally, formally presented the last set of club accounts in October which showed the club is now free of external debt after returning to the Premier League.