Norwich City has announced plans to permanently switch visiting supporters from their current home in the corner of the South Stand to the lower tier of the River End, from where 3,000 season ticket holders will be moved.

The proposed new fan zone at the back of Norwich City Football Club's Barclay Stand(Image: LSI Architects)

The relocation of the away fans will allow for the creation of a new 'fan zone' for home supporters behind the Barclay End.

Norwich supporters will have to swap their River End seats(Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

Club officials say the fan zone and the away fan switch are the first two phases in a four phase scheme to generate extra revenue and help unlock their ultimate ambition of redeveloping the City Stand, the oldest Carrow Road stand, to increase capacity to 35,000.

However, the changes are likely to prove hugely controversial, not least among the 3,000 season ticket holders who will be relocated from their homes in the River End, which is now known as the Regency Security Stand.

There will also be concerns the scheme - inspired by the club's new US owners seeking to replicate the matchday experiences from US sports venues - may dilute the Carrow Road atmosphere, with away fans moved away from the more vociferous Norwich supporters in the Barclay.

The majority of season ticket holders from the lower River End will be relocated to the South Stand - also known as the Jarrold Stand - where 650 season ticket holders will also have to........

© Eastern Daily Press