CHRIS LAKEY Delia Smith has welcomed Norwich City's involvement in a new flagship sport site next to the club's Carrow Road ground. Carrow Park was officially unveiled by City's majority shareholder on Saturday lunchtime, on behalf of the Barclays Spaces for Sport initiative.

CHRIS LAKEY

Delia Smith has welcomed Norwich City's involvement in a new flagship sport site next to the club's Carrow Road ground.

Carrow Park was officially unveiled by City's majority shareholder on Saturday lunchtime, on behalf of the Barclays Spaces for Sport initiative.

The financial institution and the Football Foundation have put up 600,000 to equip Carrow Park with a floodlit artificial turf sport facility with disabled access, suitable for a wide range of sports for the local community.

Carrow Park is in the car park behind City's Jarrold Stand.

“There might be one or two who would criticise that, but I still think it is very important for the future and we have to look at the future,” said

Delia. “It is very hard for young people to be involved in football now.

The prices of the seats and everything has gone up, the average age of people attending football games now is 40, the future is not very bright in football and I think this kind of thing really enhances it and encourages young people to come into football.

“It is a long story. It is all about money and now that money has got hold of football people can't go and you are losing supporters all the time because people who travel away suddenly find they have bought their ticket, booked their hotel room and the match has been changed for television and it is all null and void.

“It is absolutely essential in the whole of England that we have spaces for sport for children. They lost a lot didn't they and it has been a struggle.

“There are two things - it is good for the football club that we have young people training and learning about football so close to the club and it is good for Norfolk and good for the community and we are very proud to be involved with it.”