Norman Hunter

[jeffers]

Sad news that Norman Hunter has passed away with the Covid-19 virus.

I grew up in his era and loved his no nonsense defending, he would have a wardrobe full of red cards if playing today. 

Commiserations to his family and all LUFC fans.

 

[tommytunstall]

Norman Hunter tough as old boots, but fair, and a good footballer to. In my opinion was a member of the finest club side in the English game under the management of Don Revie. They were tough, sometimes dirty, but I have seen crowds gasp at the way they moved the ball about. RIP Bite your legs,a true footballing legend.

[Essex Vale]

I think Tommy summed up Norman well. In a team that was, outside of Yorkshire, not well liked, Norman was someone who, generally, was pretty well received around the country. He had a reputation as a tough hard player, but fair, and sporting and modest.  The game has lost one of its grandees, and the squad of 1966 is one less in number. RIP Sir

[The man in the pub]

An era when you could tackle someone hard and they didn't react like they had been shot.  Jumpers for goal posts …….

[mikey]

He will be remembered as well for his on field fist fight with Franny Lee at the Baseball Ground. Can you imagine that happening today?

[RailwayRowdy]

Another sad loss from the football family. 

As has been mentioned above he was indeed a tough defender, but fair may be stretching the point a little.

However, sincere condolences  to all his family and friends. 

[The French Connection]

He was an icon of his era. He would have to play differently today because the game is so different today. But boy, he had the sweetest left foot. He had no airs and graces, a fighter through and through. Top man, revered by Leeds fans everywhere.

[The French Connection]

Norman Hunter tough as old boots, but fair, and a good footballer to. In my opinion was a member of the finest club side in the English game under the management of Don Revie. They were tough, sometimes dirty, but I have seen crowds gasp at the way they moved the ball about. RIP Bite your legs,a true footballing legend.

Spot on, TT. At their peak they gave real meaning to the word 'awesome'. They were untouchable at the time, one of the reasons why a lot of people hated them, including a fair few in the football establishment.

[RailwayRowdy]

Revie’s aggressive approach and alleged attempts to fix matches by bribing opposition players through intermediary and club captain Billy  Bremner (confirmed by Gary Sprake) did not help their cause. As Clough pointed out on his first day at Elland Rd.

The subsequent Yorkshire TV interview with Clough & Revie following Clough’s sacking is legendary. For anyone who has not seen it ;

 

[TheSage]

Hunter was a tough defender but was also an unused member of the original 1966 squad. He could play a bit as well as knock forwards into Row Z.

As TT says, Revie's team got a lot of stick for being, shall we say, "professional" to the nth degree, and treading a very fine line but my word could they play. 

For younger posters they were the Man City of their day and when on song were a pure joy to watch.

Was it their 7-0 demolition of Southampton that sticks in my memory, when Bremner and Gray were taking the ****? What a player he was, Eddie Gray.

Weren't they one of the first teams to come out early and do drills on the pitch - much to the annoyance of the home fans?

And, of course, Revie was doing what Bielsa does now - compiling a massive report on all opposition teams and studying them forensically. That was why some England players didn't warm to him.

[The French Connection]

Hunter was a tough defender but was also an unused member of the original 1966 squad. He could play a bit as well as knock forwards into Row Z.
As TT says, Revie's team got a lot of stick for being, shall we say, "professional" to the nth degree, and treading a very fine line but my word could they play. 
For younger posters they were the Man City of their day and when on song were a pure joy to watch.
Was it their 7-0 demolition of Southampton that sticks in my memory, when Bremner and Gray were taking the ****? What a player he was, Eddie Gray.
Weren't they one of the first teams to come out early and do drills on the pitch - much to the annoyance of the home fans?
And, of course, Revie was doing what Bielsa does now - compiling a massive report on all opposition teams and studying them forensically. That was why some England players didn't warm to him.

The Southampton game was immediately followed by a 5-1 thrashing of Man Utd as well.

You're right about the pitch drills, and they used to have Leeds sock garters which I always thought were very cool.

[Bycarsbill]

On 17/04/2020 at 13:10, tommytunstall said:

Norman Hunter tough as old boots, but fair, and a good footballer to. In my opinion was a member of the finest club side in the English game under the management of Don Revie. They were tough, sometimes dirty, but I have seen crowds gasp at the way they moved the ball about. RIP Bite your legs,a true footballing legend.

Seeing some footage of the time he was playing, he certainly deserved his "bites your legs" monica--doubt whether he would have lasted more than a few minutes on the field in these current 'namby-pamby' days, but this gives a false image to a fine footballer with many a silky touch on the park.  RIP Norman

[Paul6754]

Norman Hunter was an excellent defender for club and country but I'll always remember his missed tackle on Lato in 1973 which led to Domarski's goal for Poland in the England vs Poland game at Wembley which England had to win to go to the 1974 WC Finals in Germany. It was a disaster for England.

Best player for me in that Leeds team was Jonny Giles, an absolute masterful midfield player.

[TheSage]

They had many good players didn't they, and the perfect balance between skill and physicality?

Sprake, Madeley, Coooper, Bremner, Charlton, Hunter, Lorimer, Clarke, Jones, Giles, Gray.

With the likes of Bates and Reaney in reserve.

I was never fully convinced by Mick Jones but he worked tirelessly and gave 100% while the rest took most of the plaudits.

Lorimer and his canonball right foot. Gray could dribble.

Bremner was a dirty so and so, like Hunter, but a clever midfield player with an eye for goal.

Madeley and Cooper must have been as good a pair of full backs as you'll see. I thought they were excellent.

Very professional and cynical but a great team.