Norman Hunter.

[Buster15]

Just been announced that Norman Hunter has died in his mid 70's due to CV19.

I had the immense pleasure of watching him playing for both Leeds United and subsequently Bristol City.

We all know that his nickname was Norman Hunter bites your legs.
And yes he was a real hard man and hard tackler in an age of hard men.

He was renown as an exceptional ball winner and played in a very physical Leeds team.

I watched him on many occasions and studied his tackling technique.
The reason he so often came away with the ball was that his head and shoulders were always over the ball during a tackle.

He was a very capable footballer as well with a very strong left foot.

Such a shame and he will be sadly missed, having been an English international and excellent football commentator.

 

[Rozay]

Just saw this on the news. I’m not sure if it is him or Terry Butcher that I have memories of watching throwing punches on the pitch in the ‘good old days’ - but I remember him spoken as being one of the legendary ‘hard men’ of the British game.

Rest in peace to him.

 

[paulscholes18]

Just saw this on the news. I’m not sure if it is him or Terry Butcher that I have memories of watching throwing punches on the pitch in the ‘good old days’ - but I remember him spoken as being one of the legendary ‘hard men’ of the British game.

Rest in peace to him.

It was him, just showed it on the news. No nonsense defender

 

[Sassy Colin]

RIP

 

[Member 113277]

Norman Hunter was actually a talented footballer, not just a hard man.

Having said that, some of his tackles were beyond acceptable by any standards and it was a disgrace that the referees of that era tolerated that kind of play (and Hunter was by no means the worst offender, IMO).

However, may he RIP, from what I hear, he was a decent man off the pitch.

 

[Saddy]

He summed up that Leeds team in the 70s - capable of dirty tactics and filthy tackling apparently their forwards were told to leave one on the goalies early in a game to make them tentative. Basically win the game in any way possible !
However they could all play bloody good football and Hunter was as good a footballer as anyone in that team.

That punch up with Franny Lee was brilliant but I would have awarded Lee the points in that round after Hunter's initial punch ...

RIP I understand he was a really pleasant guy off the pitch and he will be sadly missed

 

[arthurka]

RIP
Remember my uncle speaking about him as the second coming of Jesus..

 

[Class of 63]

One of the very few likeable blokes/players in that 70's Leeds United team, RIP

 

[Maticmaker]

For me it was a toss-up between Jimmy Scoular (Newcastle) and Norman Hunter (Leeds) as to who was the original 'hard man' of football, neither took any prisoners.

On balance I would probably come down and choose Hunter. Norman's left leg was reputed to be 'only for standing on' and he made grown men cry out when he tackled them and also reputedly made one or two wet themselves if they heard or saw him approaching with that killer look in his eye!

Hunter was a capable player when he wanted to be, but to be honest he wouldn't have lasted five minutes in todays game, but then as always... the past is another country!
RIP Norman.

 

[Member 113277]

For me it was a toss-up between Jimmy Scoular (Newcastle) and Norman Hunter (Leeds) as to who was the original 'hard man' of football, neither took any prisoners.

On balance I would probably come down and choose Hunter. Norman's left leg was reputed to be 'only for standing on' and he made grown men cry out when he tackled them and also reputedly made one or two wet themselves if they heard or saw him approaching with that killer look in his eye!

Hunter was a capable player when he wanted to be, but to be honest he wouldn't have lasted five minutes in todays game, but then as always... the past is another country!
RIP Norman.

Norman Hunter's right foot was for standing on, I never saw a player who favoured his left, more.

If you want to talk about hard men in that era, Google Andrew Lorimar Lochhead - the hardest I saw and not usually the aggressor, but if anyone messed with him..................

 

[BeforeKeanetherewasRobson]

Norman Hunter was actually a talented footballer, not just a hard man.

Having said that, some of his tackles were beyond acceptable by any standards and it was a disgrace that the referees of that era tolerated that kind of play (and Hunter was by no means the worst offender, IMO).

However, may he RIP, from what I hear, he was a decent man off the pitch.

All the key points have been made.... definitely not just a thug (for a start, Alf Ramsay wouldn't pick someone like that), could play a bit, apparently a really nice guy off the pitch, an ok commentator (I heard him a couple of times, seemed quite knowledgeable).

The point in bold is also true. While Hunter made some really bad tackles (looking at them 40+ years on), it was definitely more common place.

For example, the 74 Charity Shield (Leeds v Liverpool). There were loads of tackles bordering on assault. Giles right hooked Keegan and was only booked! The other big difference I noted was how quickly the players got on with it. Different times.

RIP Norman. Good player, great team.

 

[Buster15]

For me it was a toss-up between Jimmy Scoular (Newcastle) and Norman Hunter (Leeds) as to who was the original 'hard man' of football, neither took any prisoners.

On balance I would probably come down and choose Hunter. Norman's left leg was reputed to be 'only for standing on' and he made grown men cry out when he tackled them and also reputedly made one or two wet themselves if they heard or saw him approaching with that killer look in his eye!

Hunter was a capable player when he wanted to be, but to be honest he wouldn't have lasted five minutes in todays game, but then as always... the past is another country!
RIP Norman.

It was his right foot. He was very left footed.
But a very good footballer by any standards.

 

[Rozay]

For me it was a toss-up between Jimmy Scoular (Newcastle) and Norman Hunter (Leeds) as to who was the original 'hard man' of football, neither took any prisoners.

On balance I would probably come down and choose Hunter. Norman's left leg was reputed to be 'only for standing on' and he made grown men cry out when he tackled them and also reputedly made one or two wet themselves if they heard or saw him approaching with that killer look in his eye!

Hunter was a capable player when he wanted to be, but to be honest he wouldn't have lasted five minutes in todays game, but then as always... the past is another country!
RIP Norman.

What about Chopper Harris? Was before my time but I’ve seen clips and am familiar with his legend.

 

[Saddy]

He summed up that Leeds team in the 70s - capable of dirty tactics and filthy tackling apparently their forwards were told to leave one on the goalies early in a game to make them tentative. Basically win the game in any way possible !
However they could all play bloody good football and Hunter was as good a footballer as anyone in that team.

That punch up with Franny Lee was brilliant but I would have awarded Lee the points in that round after Hunter's initial punch ...

RIP I understand he was a really pleasant guy off the pitch and he will be sadly missed

Thanks JoJo

 

[Buster15]

What about Chopper Harris? Was before my time but I’ve seen clips and am familiar with his legend.

Yes. I agree about Ron Harris at Chelsea.
He was a genuine dirty player.
And nothing like as good a footballer as Hunter.
Every player in that Leeds team was perfectly capable of handing it out. It was part of their tactics.
But. By goodness could they play as well.

Don't recall anything about Scouler.

 

[Maticmaker]

Norman Hunter's right foot was for standing on, I never saw a player who favoured his left, more.

If you want to talk about hard men in that era, Google Andrew Lorimar Lochhead - the hardest I saw and not usually the aggressor, but if anyone messed with him..................

Yes correct...can't tell my left from my right!

Not sure about Andy Lochead, being hard, but a bit like Mike Summerbee he 'got his retaliation in first' most definitely

 

[Maticmaker]

It was his right foot. He was very left footed.
But a very good footballer by any standards.

Correct sir....I was never much good telling left from right!

 

[Maticmaker]

What about Chopper Harris? Was before my time but I’ve seen clips and am familiar with his legend.

Yes Chopper lived up to his name on many occasion but in many ways for me he was a failed hardman, could dish it out but couldn't take it.

Remember him in a game against us and George Best had a clear run on the Chelsea goal virtually starting at the half-way line. 'Chopper' went after him and had three goes at bringing him down and failed every time. By the time they had got to the edge of the box the crowd were shouting "Ole...Ole" every time George escaped from a Harris tackle.

Yes a contender Chopper, but not in my top five!

 

[Marching]

One of my footballing heroes. So much more to his game than the dirty tag. Still a regular at Elland Road on match days and a gentleman. Always had time and a smile for anyone wanting his autograph or a photo.

A sad day for the fans, the club and the city. Rest in Peace Norman. MOT

 

[TheReligion]

If Hunter had put a challenge like some of those in on me I'd of got back up and flattened the cnut.

RIP.

 

[Hoof the ball]

Norman Hunter was actually a talented footballer, not just a hard man.

Having said that, some of his tackles were beyond acceptable by any standards and it was a disgrace that the referees of that era tolerated that kind of play (and Hunter was by no means the worst offender, IMO).

However, may he RIP, from what I hear, he was a decent man off the pitch.

Norman didn't seem to think so. In the last interview he had before he contracted COVID-19, he mentioned an interview Gary Neville did where Gary spoke of his own lack of footballing ability in relation to his teammates and that he got by on pure determination, effort and bravery, as well as defensive nous. Norman likened himself to Neville in that he felt that his mental strengths compensated for his technical deficiencies.

Now, it's completely reasonable for Norman to be speaking with humility and simply not wanting to play himself up.

 

[Member 113277]

Norman didn't seem to think so. In the last interview he had before he contracted COVID-19, he mentioned an interview Gary Neville did where Gary spoke of his own lack of footballing ability in relation to his teammates and that he got by on pure determination, effort and bravery, as well as defensive nous. Norman likened himself to Neville in that he felt that his mental strengths compensated for his technical deficiencies.

Now, it's completely reasonable for Norman to be speaking with humility and simply not wanting to play himself up.

Norman Hunter was a very good footballer, he was in the squad that won the 1966 World Cup as understudy to the great Bobby Moore, who was best in that position in the world at the time. Perhaps he was being modest (people from his generation often are), but the reality was that he was a very good footballer and held his place in a dominant Leeds team for 10 years. Had he not been around at the same time as Moore, his 28 England caps would have been well over 50 IMO.

If you scan through the tribute video below, you'll find some examples of skillful and cool play, which hopefully will show you why people who watched him rate him highly. I'd rate John Giles as being the best footballer in that Leeds era, but don't be under any illusions, Norman Hunter was top drawer.

 

[Marching]

If Hunter had put a challenge like some of those in on me I'd of got back up and flattened the cnut.

RIP.