TV chef and Norwich City fan Delia Smith put on a brave show of defiance after thugs hurled lager cans at her car as well as punched the windows as she arrived for Norwich’s ‘Tractor Derby’ against rivals Ipswich Town.
82-year-old Smith, who is a majority shareholder in Norwich pulled into Portman Road in a grey BMW before the 12.30pm kick-off for her Canaries clash against their fierce East Anglian neighbours.
But her entrance was overshadowed when a yob hurled the can of Carlsberg beer at the vehicle.
Other Ipswich fans were seen surrounding the car holding blue flares, as they geared up to clash with their old rivals for the first time in four years.
However, this attempt of intimidation did not deter the famous Norwich City fan who proudly looked on and supported her team as they played out an exciting 2-2 draw in what was their first meeting since 2019.
TV chef and Norwich City fan Delia Smith put on a brave show of defiance after thugs hurled lager cans at her car
Delia Smith, Joint Majority Shareholder of Norwich City takes her seat during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Norwich City at Portman Road as the sides met for the first time in over four years
A car carrying Norwich City owner Delia Smith was hit by a flying can of lager today as she arrived for the bitterly-heated ‘Tractor Derby’ with Ipswich
The TV chef, who is a huge Canaries fan, was seen arriving at Portman Road in a grey BMW before the 12.30pm kick off
Ipswich Town Ultras holding banners and flares to greet their bitter rivals Norwich City at Portman Road earlier today
Pictures show an unfazed Delia chatting and smiling as she made her way into the ground and past the crowds of unwelcoming and hostile supporters.
The Tractor Boys are pushing for back-to-back promotions having returned to the Championship from League One last season.
Meanwhile, frequent Yoyoers Norwich also set their sights on the lucrative promised land of the Premier League, a division that they have been in six times since the 2011/12 season.
Delia’s Norwich, have struggled to find consistency this year and find themselves outside the play-off places.
The cookery legend, 80, is a regular at her team’s games, and stole the headlines back in 2005 with her infamous ‘let’s be ‘avin’ you’ rant.
The cookery legend, 80, is a regular at her team’s games, and stole the headlines back in 2005 with her infamous ‘let’s be ‘avin’ you’ rant (pictured)
Delia, who is a majority shareholder along with her husband, stormed onto the pitch during the half-time break of a home match against Manchester City, after seeing her side throw away a 2-0 lead.
READ MORE: Furious Norwich City boss David Wagner calls for ‘idiots’ who attacked Delia Smith’s car by throwing beer cans and punching window ahead of East Anglia derby to be ‘banned for life’
Norwich boss David Wagner was left infuriated by the ‘idiot’ fans who decided to damage it
She grabbed a microphone from the club announcer and shouted: ‘A message for the best football supporters in the world. We need a 12th man here. Where are you? Where are you? Let’s be ‘avin’ you. Come on.’
This passion was once again unwavering for her Yellows as she looked brave and composed after her terrifying ordeal with thug-like Ipswich Town fans.
Furious Norwich City manager David Wagner called for the ‘idiots’ who attacked Delia Smith’s car before the East Anglia derby to be banned for life.
‘There are idiots all over the world, something I cannot understand,’ Wagner said.
‘I don’t get in my head how you can behave like this when a woman over 80 years old drives to a football match, even if she may be supporting the opponent.
‘It makes no sense and unfortunately, it happened. Hopefully, they find the people and get a ban for their life.’
The 82-year-old was seen chuckling to Wagner and appeared to say it had ‘only been a trickle’, an apparent reference to the thrown beer.
Smith, who made her name as a TV chef, and her husband Michael Wynn-Jones are both regularly spotted at Carrow Road as well as at away matches as they travel up and down the country supporting their club.
The couple own a 53 per cent share of Norwich, but back in October, it was revealed that American entrepreneur Mark Attanasio has the green light to increase his stake and become majority owner.
Delia Smith was all smiles as she sat in the stands during Norwich’s trip to Ipswich this afternoon
Delia Smith and husband Michael Wynn Jones at Norwich’s match with Preston last weekend
Despite the chaos which occurred outside the stadium, the derby ended in a well balanced 2-2 draw.
Ipswich were the more dominant side as they bossed possession of the ball and had several more chances to win the game.
However, it took a Wes Burns second-half strike to salvage a point for The Tractor Boys despite their dominance.
Neither side was able to find the much-desired winner, a win that would have seen Ipswich rise to the top of the Championship table.
Instead, Ipswich remain in second place whilst their rivals Norwich see their unbeaten streak of 13 games continued as they find themselves in 10th.