Norman Hunter facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Norman Hunter

Hunter in 1969
Personal information
Date of birth	(1943-10-29)29 October 1943
Place of birth	Eighton Banks, Gateshead, County Durham, England
Date of death	17 April 2020(2020-04-17) (aged 76)
Place of death	Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Playing position	Centre back
Youth career
1959–1962	Leeds United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1962–1976	Leeds United	540	(18)
1976–1979	Bristol City	108	(4)
1979–1982	Barnsley	31	(0)
Total		679	(22)
National team
1965–1974	England	28	(2)
Teams managed
1980–1984	Barnsley
1985–1987	Rotherham United
Honours Men's football Representing  England FIFA World Cup Winner 1966 England
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Norman Hunter (born October 29, 1943 – died April 17, 2020) was a famous English footballer. He was known for being a tough and skilled defender. Hunter played most of his career for Leeds United. He also played for Bristol City and Barnsley. He was a key player for the England team too.

Hunter was part of the England squad that won the 1966 FIFA World Cup. This was a huge achievement for English football. He was nicknamed "Bites Yer Legs" because of his strong tackles. This showed how determined he was on the field.

Early Life and Starting Football

Norman Hunter was born in Eighton Banks, Gateshead, England. He grew up loving football. He joined Leeds United as a young player in 1959. This was the start of his amazing journey in professional football. He spent three years in their youth team. During this time, he worked hard to improve his skills.

Becoming a Professional Player

In 1962, Hunter signed his first professional contract with Leeds United. He quickly became an important part of the team. He played as a centre back. This position means he was a main player in stopping the other team from scoring goals. His strong defending helped Leeds become one of the best teams in England.

Playing Career at Leeds United

Norman Hunter played for Leeds United for 14 years, from 1962 to 1976. This was the most successful period in the club's history. He played over 500 games for Leeds. He was known for his powerful tackles and his ability to win the ball.

Key Achievements with Leeds

During his time at Leeds, Hunter helped the team win many important trophies:

• First Division titles: Leeds won the top English league twice, in 1969 and 1974.
• FA Cup: They won the FA Cup in 1972. This is one of England's oldest football competitions.
• League Cup: Leeds also won the League Cup in 1968.
• Fairs Cup: They won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup twice, in 1968 and 1971. This was a European competition.

Hunter was a leader on the field. His dedication and tough play made him a fan favourite. He was also one of the first defenders to score goals regularly.

International Career with England

Norman Hunter also played for the England national team. He earned 28 caps, which means he played 28 times for his country. He scored 2 goals for England.

World Cup Winner

Hunter was part of the famous England squad that won the 1966 FIFA World Cup. This tournament was held in England. Even though he didn't play in the final match, he was a valuable member of the team. Being part of a World Cup-winning squad is a huge honour for any footballer. He also played in the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico.

Later Career and Management

After leaving Leeds United in 1976, Norman Hunter played for two other clubs. He joined Bristol City and played there for three years. Then, he moved to Barnsley in 1979. He played his last professional games for Barnsley.

Moving into Management

After retiring as a player, Hunter became a football manager. He managed Barnsley from 1980 to 1984. Later, he managed Rotherham United from 1985 to 1987. He used his experience as a player to guide new teams.

Legacy and Passing

Norman Hunter is remembered as one of the toughest and most respected defenders of his generation. His nickname "Bites Yer Legs" showed his fierce playing style. But he was also a very fair player. He was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2005. This shows how important he was to English football.

Hunter passed away on April 17, 2020, at the age of 76. He was a true legend of the game. He will always be remembered for his incredible career with Leeds United and England.