Norwich City can confirm that Ed Balls is to stand down from his role as a Director and Chairman of the Club on Boxing Day and has agreed to become a Club Ambassador and Vice President.

Announcing his decision today, former Labour MP and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Balls said he had greatly enjoyed his three years as Chairman, but after having originally agreed to do the role for a year feels the time is right to step down on the third anniversary of his appointment.

To read his full statement, CLICK HERE.

Balls was invited to join the Board and take up the vacant position of Chairman by joint majority shareholders Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones in December 2015.

Since then he has not only greatly assisted the Board in confronting the financial challenges faced following relegation from the Premier League, but has also pro-actively championed Norwich City on a local and national stage, something he will continue to do in his new role as Club Ambassador and Vice President.

Delia and Michael said: “We’d like to sincerely thank Ed for all of his hard work on behalf of Norwich City since he agreed to join us in 2015. During a rollercoaster period for the Club he has been a very important advisor and sounding board for both Directors and senior executives, particularly on financial matters.

“He’s always been an enthusiastic and positive supporter of the Club in his public life and through the media and we’re delighted he will join fellow Canary Stephen Fry in continuing to promote all things Norwich City in his new role as a Club Ambassador and Vice President - and he’s promised us he’s going to wear his Norwich scarf when he’s on television!”

The joint owners also confirmed the Club will now take the opportunity to review the non-executive Board of Directors following Ed’s departure and the recent successful senior management restructure, which saw the creation of the executive committee.

They commented: “We still have a robust and committed non-executive board with ourselves, Deputy Chairman Michael Foulger, Stephan Phillips and Tom Smith, all bringing extensive experience and differing expertise into the mix and working very closely with our new executive committee.”

Everyone at Norwich City would like to thank Ed for his contribution to the Canary cause during his three years as Chairman and looks forward to continuing to work with him in the future as Club Ambassador and Vice President.