Johannes Hoff Thorup paid a glowing tribute to Norwich City’s new honorary life presidents Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones after they stepped down from the board.

The club’s former majority shareholders officially ended their 28-year stint at the helm on Wednesday, after ordinary shareholders backed a plan that will see Mark Attanasio’s Norfolk Holdings formally take control this season.

City head coach Thorup revealed the personal touches from the duo since his arrival in May that have made him even more determined to bring success to the Canaries.

“I've obviously known them for four or five months so I don't have all the knowledge of what they achieved for so many years, but I can feel it,” said Thorup, speaking ahead of Middlesbrough’s league visit on Sunday. “The warm welcome they gave Glen (Riddersholm) and I, but also both Glen and I's families, which was fantastic.

"From day one, we had a great night with a great dinner, I think it was in June or beginning of July, where we were more or less introduced to everything, but also just a warm welcome in terms of having that gathering during one of the first nights here. We felt it from day one.

“And I still get a message once in a while from Delia when she thinks that the performance was good. I spoke to Michael the other day when he was in Stoke. They still have the desire and the passion for this football club and love everything that's happening at the moment, and really want to be informed as well, and really want to be around, which I think is fantastic.

“You don't see that kind of people in that many clubs. We have to be happy that they're here. We're talking about feelings, it is not about financial things and so on. What kind of feeling do these people actually give you? And like I said, from day one, it was impressive.

“I can also speak on behalf of my family, even my Mum has met Delia and said, ‘Fantastic’. They were invited for dinner at one of our first home games of the season. It also gives me that extra motivation to really work hard for a football club when that's the passion and love they give to us.”