Delia Smith 'shaken' after car was attacked by fans at derby match
Smith had been attending the East Anglian Derby when her car was set on
Last updated 17th Dec 2023
Delia Smith was left "shaken" after her car was set on by football fans as she arrived to Norwich City's clash with Ipswich Town.
The Canaries travelled to Portman Road on Saturday (December 16th) in the first East Anglian Derby in over five years.
Professional chef Delia Smith is a keen fan of the Canaries, going as far as investing heavily in the club, becoming one of the main shareholders in the club.
However, when she arrived at the match in Ipswich, she was met with a frosty reception as fanatics of the Tractor Boys hurled flares and chanting.
One fan specifically targeted the BMW that Delia had been travelling in, throwing a can that hit the car's bonnet, whilst a flare was also thrown that hit the back windscreen of the car.
After a hostile reception from home fans, the car was eventually brought to follow the visiting team's coach, before entering the Portman Road car park, which had been protected by a police escort.
Delia was seen to be stunned and shaken by her experience in the car, as she was escorted into the stadium.
Speaking about the incident, Norwich manager David Wagner said that he was frustrated with fans who believed targeting the car was the right thing to do.
"Luckily she is okay, unfortunately there are idiots all over the world," he said. "It does not get in my head how they can behave like this when a woman over 80 years old in a car drives to football match.
"It makes no sense - hopefully they will find the people and hopefully they will get banned for life."
Close friend of Smith - and former sports journalist Mick Dennis also hit out at supporters who went after Delia's car, writing on Twitter: "Police instructed and arranged for her driver to follow ITFC coach to ground.
"They thought the alternatives, being part of convoy of NCFC coaches or her car alone, were less safe. Only one beer can was thrown at/onto the car. Delia and Michael had to scurry into ground, keeping heads down, but unperturbed."
Dennis also criticised security officers for not taking action to stop the attack from happening, adding that Norwich City players were having bottles thrown at them from stands occupied by Ipswich Town supporters.
The tense clash between Norwich City and Ipswich Town resulted in a 2-2 draw. Norwich winger Jonathan Rowe scored twice for the Canaries, whilst Wes Burns and Nathan Broadhead were able to clinch two goals for Ipswich.