NORWICH City fans have urged Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones to welcome billionaire businessman Peter Cullum and his money “with open arms”.

NORWICH City fans have urged Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones to welcome billionaire businessman Peter Cullum and his money “with open arms”.

The Norfolk-born businessman revealed he had offered to pump £20m into the club - and wanted to become the new majority shareholder, taking over from husband and wife Delia and Mr Wynn Jones.

His offer was made back in October last year, when City were cut adrift at the foot of the Championship. But he told the EDP the offer was still on the table.

And today fans' representatives and Norfolk MPs were keen for the two parties to do business.

Dr Ian Gibson, Norwich North MP and season ticket holder, said: “If we had that money we could buy players and get the chance to get into the Premiership, which is what the fans deserve.

“A city of this size should be able to do that. It is up to the management to see if the money is reliable and safe and to make an agreement. There have been dodgy offers in the past.

“We have got to make sure the money is safe, proper and given to the club in a straight forward manner, but if it is they should absolutely take the money. I want to be in the Premier League.”

Kathy Blake, of the Norwich City Independent Supporters Association, said: “Quite frankly I think we should bite his hand off and I don't know why we didn't when the money was first offered in October.

“I think we should welcome him with open arms. Unfortunately money is the only way we can compete. £20m is not huge but it would give the club a springboard to get back into the Premier League.”

Tim Amphlett, of fans' group the Yarmouth Yellows, said: “If talks have broken down with the club there is obviously something they are not happy with, but if someone with a lot of money is coming forward and making this offer I think we should take it.

“£20m is not to be sniffed at. Football now is all about money. We're not going to get anywhere without money. If you look at what players we are buying now, it is all £250,000 deals or freebies. We need the money to get the right people and the right management.”

Alex Warren, chairman of Waveney Yellows, said: “In the present climate you need money. He's a local man and he said he's willing to keep Delia and Wynn Jones on so I don't see what the problem is. We need money because the only way we're going at the moment is down. Money talks and I think the club should listen.”

North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb said: “This isn't some foreign billionaire coming in who has no interest in the club. This is a genuine supporter who has the club's best interests at heart, so on the face of it, it's really good news.”