Michael Wynn Jones, the former joint majority shareholder of Norwich City and husband of TV chef Delia Smith, has died aged 85, the Championship club has announced.
Wynn Jones, a Welsh writer and editor, died peacefully at home on Monday morning, Norwich City said in a statement. The couple had been married since 1971 and lived in Suffolk.
Norwich City pays tribute
Norwich City said: "Everyone at Norwich City is deeply saddened by the passing of our honorary life president, Michael Wynn Jones. Michael died peacefully at home on Monday morning, aged 85."
The club added: "He will be greatly missed. His family are grateful for the wonderful care provided by the community nursing team at St Elizabeth Hospice. Our deepest condolences are with Delia and Tom, and with all of Michael’s family, friends and loved ones. At the family’s request, we ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult time."
Local rivals Ipswich Town also paid tribute on social media, saying: "We send our condolences to Delia and Tom, all of Michael’s family and friends, and everyone at Norwich City at this time. Rest in peace, Michael."
Club involvement and legacy
Wynn Jones became joint shareholder of the Canaries alongside his wife in 1997. Their involvement with the club came to an end in 2024, when they agreed to stand down as club directors and become honorary life presidents at Carrow Road instead.
Two years ago, the couple reduced their stake in the club to 10 per cent and sold the rest to FB Norfolk Holdings Group, the company of American millionaire Mark Attanasio, who now holds 85 per cent.
Former Canaries players paid their own respects. Darren Huckerby said: "Such sad news, he stayed out of the limelight but all at [the club] owe him so much", while Darren Eadie described him as "a kind and caring gentleman".
Career outside football
Away from football, Wynn Jones founded New Crane Publishing, which published some of Smith's cookbooks. He also worked for Mirror Magazine when it hired her as a cookery writer in 1969, and was deputy editor of The Spectator, as well as writing a number of books.
