Watling was chairman for 16 years
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Norwich president Geoffrey Watling has died at the age of 91.
Watling, who passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, spent nearly 50 years at City and became chairman in 1957, a position he held for 16 years.
The lifelong fan helped steer the club from near bankruptcy before taking them to a League Cup triumph in 1962.
Chairman Roger Munby told the club's website: "Everyone is deeply saddened - were it not for Geoffrey, this club may well not be in existence now."
Watling was also an integral figure in buying out former chairman Robert Chase in 1996, when the club were facing severe financial hardship following relegation from the Premiership.
He then sold his majority shareholding to current owners Delia Smith and Michael Wynn-Jones.
A minute's silence will be held prior to the kick-off against Southampton at Carrow Road on Saturday.