How the Eastern Daily Press and Evening News reported the appointment of David McNally as Norwich City's chief executive in June 2009.

David McNally's appointment on June 12, 2009 made the front page of the Evening News:

'Canaries key appointment arrives with impressive record at Celtic and Fulham'

Norwich City today named former Fulham managing director David McNally as the club's new chief executive.

Mr McNally was introduced by the City board at a morning press conference at Carrow Road and will start his new role on Monday, June 22.

Mr McNally's appointment comes exactly a month after Mr Doncaster and Mr Munby stepped down, on May 12.

With the Canaries facing up to life in the third tier of English football after relegation from the Championship, Mr McNally said it was the strength and passion of the club's fan base and board members that persuaded him to join Norwich – and insisted promotion from League One not consolidation, had to be the club's objective.

• McNally then made the back of the Evening News the following day:

'Time to get tough'

Norwich City's new chief executive insists tough decisions will be unavoidable as the club gets to grips with life in League One.

McNally said: 'Like every manager, I think every chief executive of a football club just needs a little bit more support, and a little bit more support normally means more money.'

He said: 'I don't think I was born the last time this club played in the third tier of English football and while it will be difficult to win as many matches as we need to get

promotion, that has to be the aim.'

• With more coverage inside the sports pages:

'Delia's double delight at honour and new City chief'

Top Premier League bosses gave Norwich City's new chief executive a glowing reference, Delia Smith revealed – on a day of double celebration for the celebrity cook.

The Canaries' joint majority shareholder said David McNally came highly recommended by Aston Villa and former Celtic manager Martin O'Neill and Fulham boss Roy Hodgson after working with both men.

Delia declared herself 'very relieved and very excited' by the new appointment at Carrow Road, which coincided with a top personal honour with her elevation to CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to the food industry.

• There was also coverage of McNally's role at Carrow Road on the back of the Eastern Daily Press the day after his arrival was announced:

'Football first for new chief'

New Norwich City chief executive David McNally insists the key to the club's future is on the pitch – rather than in the boardroom.

The 47-year-old was yesterday unveiled as Neil Doncaster's successor and revealed his number one priority was to see the Canaries perform on the field.

But while the former Fulham managing director expects City to be pushing for an immediate return to the Championship after last season's relegation disaster, he admits he will be making plenty of 'tough decisions' off the pitch.

• The Eastern Daily Press also profiled the new chief executive inside its sports pages:

'Man behind the rise of Fulham'

David McNally is seen by many Fulham fans at the club as one of the main driving forces behind the Cottagers' recent success during a four-year spell as managing director.

He is believed to have been the main advocate of appointing Roy Hodgson as manager in late 2007 when the team were struggling and then helped the manager in the

January transfer window as they escaped relegation on the final day.

It was not McNally's first job in football. Previously he had been the sales and marketing director at Scottish giants Celtic and admitted he is delighted to work in the sport he loves – although he never played professionally.

Previously, McNally had worked for a range of blue-chip companies in a variety of roles including Courtalds Textiles, Sara Lee, L'Oreal, Max Factor and ColgatePalmolive and he believes those jobs will stand him in good stead for the task at Carrow Road.

• Followed by quotes from Norwich City's joint majority shareholders Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones:

'Delia believes 'new start' can help pull everyone together'

Norwich City joint majority shareholders Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones heralded a 'fresh start' at the club after appointing David McNally as new chief executive.

The husband and wife team appeared energised for the first time since the club's catastrophic relegation from the Coca-Cola Championship to League One and the

subsequent resignations of chairman Roger Munby and chief executive Neil Doncaster.

Wynn Jones said the decision to appoint McNally, who was sales and marketing director at Celtic and spent four years as managing director at Fulham, was reached after speaking to Hodgson and O'Neill.

He said: 'Overall, from the moment Neil (Doncaster) stepped down, we've been working very hard. We're delighted we've found the right person.

'He came very highly recommended by two of our old acquaintances Martin O'Neill and Roy Hodgson, and quite frankly when they speak you take notice.'