Norman Hunter (footballer): Difference between revisions

Leeds had been promoted from the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] in [[1955–56 in English football|1955–56]], the season in which [[Jack Charlton]] became a first team regular, but they had struggled since [[John Charles]] left in 1957,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Charlton |first1=Jack |last2=Byrne |first2=Peter |title=The Autobiography |publisher=Partridge Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-1-8522-5256-4}}</ref> and were relegated after the [[1959–60 in English football|1959–60 season]].<ref name="FLT60">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1959-60.html |title=Season 1959-60: League Division 1 |work=Football Statistics Archive |publisher=RSSSF |access-date=19 August 2023}}</ref> In March 1961, with the team in the lower half of the Second Division table, Taylor resigned and Revie took over as [[player-manager]] until March 1962 when he retired as a player and became the full-time manager.{{sfn|Sutcliffe|2010|pp=56–69}} This was significant for young players like Hunter and Bremner because Revie initiated a youth development policy which was the basis of the club's future success. Among those who graduated were [[Paul Reaney]], [[Peter Lorimer]], [[Terry Cooper (footballer, born 1944)|Terry Cooper]], [[Eddie Gray (footballer, born 1948)|Eddie Gray]], and [[Paul Madeley]].{{sfn|Sutcliffe|2010|p=60}}

 

Hunter's graduation was in the [[1962–63 in English football|1962–63 season]] when Revie promoted him to the first team. He and Paul Reaney made their debuts in a Second Division match against [[Swansea City F.C.|Swansea Town]] at [[Vetch Field]] on 8 September 1962, Leeds winning 2–0.<ref name="LUOB"/> Hunter formed a central defence partnership with Jack Charlton which lasted for over a decade.<ref name="GLUBL"/> Leeds finished fifth in 1962–63,<ref name="FLT63">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1962-63.html |title=Season 1962–63: League Division 2 |work=Football Statistics Archive |publisher=RSSSF |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref> Hunter playing in 36 of their 42 matches,<ref name="NFT">{{NFT player |id=19676 |name=Norman Hunter}}</ref> and then won the Second Division title in [[1963–64 in English football|1963–64]], Hunter playing in all 42 matches.<ref name="FLT64">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1963-64.html |title=Season 1963–64: League Division 2 |work=Football Statistics Archive |publisher=RSSSF |access-date=16 August 2023}}</ref><ref name="NFT"/> Leeds returned to the First Division where, for the rest of Hunter's career with them, they were one of the strongest and most competitive teams in both English and European football.<ref name="LLJH">{{cite web |url=https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-united-centurions-norman-hunter-16583030 |last=Howe |first=Jon |title=Leeds United Centurions: Norman Hunter |publisher=Leeds Live |access-date=10 April 2020}}</ref> Hunter was a consistent performer, playing in over forty matches per season from 1962–63 to 1974–75; and was an ever-present in five seasons.<ref name="LLJH"/><ref name="NFT"/>

 

 

====1966 to 1973====

Hunter was a key player for Leeds throughout this period as they became one of the strongest teams in Europe by reaching five European finals while he played for them.<ref name="NFM">{{cite web |url=https://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame/norman-hunter/ |title=Norman Hunter |publisher=National Football Museum |access-date=10 April 2020}}</ref> They qualified for the [[Inter-Cities Fairs Cup]] again in 1966–67 and this time reached the two-leg final against [[Dinamo Zagreb]]. Hunter played in both matches but Leeds lost 2–0 on aggregate.<ref name="ICF67">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec196667.html |title=Inter-Cities Fairs Cup 1966-67 |publisher=RSSSF |access-date=28 June 2024}}</ref>

 

Before the [[1972 FA Cup final]] at Wembley, some Leeds fans displayed a banner reading 'Norman Bites Yer Legs' and, after [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] had screened it several times, Hunter was thereafter nicknamed "Bites Yer Legs".<ref name="NFM"/>{{sfn|Hunter|Waters|2004|p=105}} He eventually met the fans who created the banner and "had a laugh about it".{{sfn|Hunter|Waters|2004|p=105}} He remarked that there had been jokes about the banner ever since, such as his wife saying: "Norman's come home today with a damaged leg"; and the response: "Oh, yes, who does it belong to?"{{sfn|Hunter|Waters|2004|p=105}}

 

In Hunter's autobiography, he remarked on the disappointment of having been on the losing side in an FA Cup final and was determined that Leeds would win the 1972 final, commenting that he was "really wound up for it".<ref>Hunter & Waters 2004, pages 136–137.</ref> They defeated Arsenal 1–0 with a goal by [[Allan Clarke (footballer)|Allan Clarke]] and there is a photograph of Hunter leaping into the air to celebrate the goal being scored.<ref name="NH72P">{{cite web |url=https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/football-1972-fa-cup-final-wembley-stadium-6th-may-leeds-news-photo/79020872?adppopup=true |title=Norman Hunter 1972 FA Cup final photo |publisher=Getty Images |access-date=11 April 2020}}</ref> At the end of the game, Hunter climbed the steps to the Royal box twice; once to collect his own medal, and then again to help Mick Jones negotiate his way up and down, as Jones had been receiving treatment for a [[joint dislocation|dislocated]] elbow while his teammates had been getting their prizes.<ref name="YPJB">{{cite news |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/arts-and-culture/jones-brave-1797785 |title=Jones the Brave |newspaper=Yorkshire Post |date=31 May 2016}}</ref>

 

 

==International career==

Hunter played three games for the [[England under-21 football team|England under-23 team]] before he was given his debut for the [[England national football team|England]] team.<ref name="EFO"/> On 8 December 1965, England played [[Spain men's national football team|Spain]] in Madrid, and Hunter made his debut after coming on as a substitute.<ref name="EFO"/>

 

 

==Playing style and personality==

Hunter was usually perceived as a physical player only, but he was actually a very skilful player. As Don Revie explained at some length in a tribute to Hunter for his 1974–75 testimonial at Leeds, Hunter's job was to win the ball and move it forward. Revie pointed out that Hunter could read the game so that he was invariably well-positioned, and would win the ball by performing committed and uncompromising tackles when necessary. Revie emphasised that, having gained possession, Hunter had good ball control and his passing was accurate.<ref name="DRNH">{{cite web |url=https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/26553/don-revie-on-norman-hunter |title=Don Revie on Norman Hunter |date=17 April 2020 |publisher=Leeds United Football Club |access-date=24 May 2024}}</ref>

 

 

===Illness and death===

In 2013, Hunter was diagnosed with rare [[cancer]] type [[Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia]] (CLL), which attacks blood and bone marrow. He received treatment for the rest of his life at the [[St James's University Hospital|Leeds Cancer Centre]].<ref name="CLL">{{cite web|url=https://www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/news/family-of-leeds-united-legend-norman-hunter-raise-over-110000-to-support-research-to-find-a-cure-for-leukaemia |title=Family of Leeds United legend Norman Hunter raise over £110,000 to support research to find a cure for Leukaemia |publisher=Leeds Hospitals Charity |date=8 May 2024 |access-date=22 May 2024}}</ref><ref name="ANHGD">{{cite web |url=https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/normanhuntergolfday2023 |title=Annual Norman Hunter Golf Day |publisher=Just Giving |access-date=22 May 2024}}</ref>