Comedian Stephen Fry has stepped down from the board of Norwich City FC, it was revealed on Tuesday. The writer and life-long Canaries fan will continue to work at his hometown club as an ambassador. The 58-year-old became a director of the club in 2010. Thomas Smith, the nephew of current joint majority shareholder Delia Smith, will replace him.
Norwich City Director Stephen Fry before a game against Ipswich Town
"My five years in the role have been an honour and a privilege beyond almost anything I can remember,” said the actor. "I wish I could take credit for ushering the club up from League One to the Premiership during that time on the board. Actually, I'm going to. It was all me. It can't have been a coincidence,” he added.
"But now I'm so happy to relinquish my seat on the board to Thomas Smith and to engage as fully as I can in the role of ambassador for Norwich City," Fry said. "We have so much to be proud of, both on and off the pitch, and I hope to welcome many new fans to the greatest club of all. On the ball, City."
Former Labour Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls, who is chairman of Norwich City, said: "Stephen has made a really important contribution since he joined the board in 2010. His support for our commercial, retail and catering departments has helped to raise significant revenue for the football club - and the huge affection in which he is held by the public at home and abroad has definitely enabled him to help raise the profile of Norwich City."