Former Norwich City chairman Robert Chase dies

Former Norwich City chairman Robert Chase has died, his family has announced.

Mr Chase, 84, who was chairman from 1985 to 1996, died on Friday after a short illness.

His time in charge coincided with one of the most successful periods of the club's history, including a famous Uefa Cup victory over Bayern Munich in 1993.

The great-grandfather, who had three sons, leaves behind his wife Ruth, whom he married in 1963.

The announcement said his family was by his side when he died.

Mr Chase's family also thanked people who had passed on condolences.

During his time as chairman, Norwich City had three finishes in the top five of the English Football League.

He stepped down in 1996 after fans called for his departure following a succession of player sales and disappointing results on the field.

Norwich City said it was "deeply saddened" to hear of Mr Chase's death.

The club passed on its condolences to all of his family and friends.

Former Canaries goalkeeper Bryan Gunn said he would always remember the former chairman for the "many good things he did for the club".

Malcolm Robertson, a former sports reporter, said news of Mr Chase's death was "very sad".

"Robert Chase will always be remembered as a highly significant figure in the history of Norwich City Football Club," he said.

Former Canaries player Dave Stringer, who later became first team manager from 1987 to 1992, said his needs and those of Mr Chase sometimes "clashed".

"We had times when we didn't agree and we had to agree to disagree sometimes, but that's a working relationship with anybody, whatever job you're in," he said.

"He was the man who was in the position of power and he could say whether you did something or not, so you had to go along with it."

But, he said, between his and his successor Mike Walker's reign, when Mr Chase was in charge, it was "probably one of the most successful times of the football club".

Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach owner Albert Jones, whose father Jimmy was vice-chair during Mr Chase's time in charge, said he could not speak more highly of him.

He credited Mr Chase with having the vision of buying the land that was developed as the club's training ground and said the former chairman was a "rock" to him and his family when his son Jay died.

Away from Carrow Road, Mr Chase managed a family construction business from the early 1960s for more than 40 years.

He also served for 14 years as a member of Norfolk County Council and four years as chair of Norfolk Police Authority.

Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email [email protected]