Norman Hunter
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
26 OBITUARY GUERNSEY PRESS guernseypress.com/news Friday 24 April 2020 OBITUARY AST weekend’s papers were replete with obituaries for the legendary Norman (‘bites yer legs’) Hunter. Having read most of them I realised that most of the Lwriters had not seen him play. I like Norman Hunter to count myself as a friend of his and unfortunately Covid-19 has prevented me from inviting him and Paul Reaney, Advocate Raymond Ashton his close friend, to the return game between Manchester City and Real remembers the footballing Madrid. Before expounding on his undoubtedly career of Norman Hunter, distinguished footballing career, may I just say that, despite his ‘bites yer legs’ who recently passed away reputation, Norman was a true gent off the pitch, with a self-deprecating sense after contracting Covid-19 of humour. As is well known, he played 726 games for Leeds and, less well known, 108 times for Bristol City and 31 for Barnsley as the assistant manager to Alan Clarke. The list of honours has been well documented elsewhere and readers are recommended to look at Wikipedia for a good summary. In many ways his career is better described as a Greek tragedy for reasons I will go into below. I first got to know Norman when I was still at boarding school in Leeds. Initially my memories were of him playing in midfield (in those days an inside forward). I thought he would never make it: people had similar views about a youthful Billy Bremner, who the older Leeds players never thought would be as good as he became. The connection between the two players was that they were in the same digs and Norman always bemoaned the fact that Billy was the landlady’s favourite. Leeds were relegated in 1959/60 to the Second Division and the then new manager, Don Revie, decided to give the younger players their chance and he was given his debut in the Second Division against Swansea away in September 1962 (together with Paul Reaney and Rod Johnson. Gary Sprake also played although he had made one appearance already). The following week Peter Lorimer made his debut against Southampton, but I was unable to see him myself for several weeks as I was able to watch my own team Manchester City. My debut, as it were, was against Portsmouth and I only went to see him because I was not able to go to see City. I later saw (PA/PA Wire) him against Stoke in December and was on the same bus back to school. How things have changed – now all the the backbone of a fabulous defence. important role in the European Nations Unfortunately, the game against Bayern players have chauffeurs. The next year saw Leeds lose the First Cup. On being picked for one game, was fraught with controversy as Leeds What I saw was a revelation. Against Division title to Manchester United on Alan Ball knelt down and pretended to appeared to get a good goal, after which a Portsmouth team including Jimmy goal average, despite winning at United pray by saying, ‘for what they are about Beckenbauer persuaded the linesman to Dickinson, Ron Saunders, Bobby but then losing at Leeds. to receive’ in recognition of his tough change his mind (and the referee) and Campbell and Tony Barton, I knew both The 1964/65 season saw his England tackling. The 1969 season saw the first disallow it. he and Paul Reaney would never be debut and being involved in the Cup of two First Division titles and 1970 saw Later in 1976 Jimmy Armfield, the leaving the Leeds team. Final against Liverpool and in the build- the two classic games against Chelsea Leeds manager, deemed him surplus to After an uncertain start that season, up to the equalising goal from Billy (and defeat in the second game) and requirements but he then played with the form of the team improved after the Bremner. defeat (twice) by Celtic in the semi-final distinction over 100 games for Bristol great winter freeze and they only just The following season saw him of the European Cup and a substitute City and helped them to survive for missed out on promotion. Having said part of the 1966 World Cup squad. appearance against West Germany in several years in the First Division. thus, I suspect Don Revie was quietly Unfortunately, he was competing the World Cup. During his time there he played with not displeased as they lost several against the late (and great) Bobby Personal success continued and after Joe Royle of Manchester City fame and important games towards the end of the Moore and was arguably very unlucky the cup victory in the FA Cup in 1972 Peter Cormack of Liverpool. He later season. as Bobby had not had a very good against Arsenal (yet again), there is an managed at Barnsley with Alan Clarke What struck me was his brilliant season but he had the added advantage iconic picture of him celebrating the and coached at West Brom with John tackling and consistency. In addition of being the captain. How good Bobby goal by Mick Jones. After the game he Giles and also served as a coach at (and people often missed this) he rarely Moore was must be judged by the fact helped his injured colleague by putting Eland Road. gave the ball to an opposition player. that Sir Alf Ramsey’s trainer was the his arm around him and helping him Later he was on the after-dinner circuit These characteristics remained with Leeds trainer Les Cocker. I am told that to get his medal. 1973 saw a tragedy speaking with his arch Liverpool rival, him for the rest of his career. after the international games Les faced when Leeds lost to (Second Division) Tommy Smith. Progress was made the following season tremendous pressure for him to press Sunderland in the Cup Final. After The last words must concern his boss at (1963/64), when they won promotion to Norman’s claims. Montgomery’s wonder save, Norman Leeds, Don Revie. Whilst Billy Bremner the First Division as champions, despite In 1968 Leeds won their first trophy in turned sportingly to Dennis Tueart and is written in ‘tablets of stone’ at Elland losing to Sunderland near to where he controversial circumstances against said, ‘it’s going to be your day, Dennis’. Road, Norman was Don Revie’s golfing was brought up. Undoubtedly, he was Arsenal. This was followed by a more At the end of the season there was talk partner (and referred to as son) in of Don Revie becoming the Everton games against the other boys. The manager and in turn he said his first shame is that he competed with Bobby signing would be Norman. Moore for an England place but his 1974 saw Leeds win the League again, colleague John Giles was always of the albeit with a ‘wobble’ and eligibility view he was better than Bobby – some for the European Cup. However, it accolade. also saw the resignation of Don Revie Fellow Leeds footballers have paid and the appointment of the legendary tribute to Norman, with Trevor Cherry Brian Clough (‘BC’). It seems all was calling him ‘a great player and a great not well between the two boys and BC lad’ and Paul Reaney saying he was wanted to sell him in order to help fund like a brother to him and he will never the acquisition of Peter Shilton. Not a forget him. popular move with the players or the I once asked Norman who was the fans. best striker he had played against Progress was made via Barcelona and without hesitation he said Jimmy to the European Cup final against Greaves. Bayern. The relatively new manager My final comment is that the Leeds made several strange decisions such as team won a number of honours but not omitting Norman from the first leg at nearly as many as they should have Elland Road but thankfully including and, but for the great Bobby Moore, him in the away game, which was would have won many more caps for fortunate as Gordon McQueen was sent England. off and Norman had to move to his In Norman Hunter, both his left-behind position. In the remainder of the game loved ones and the wider footballing he acquitted himself exceptionally family have lost another true legend. Raymond Ashton, right, with Norman Hunter, left, and Mike Summerbee. (28099267) well under tremendous pressure. RIP..