Sad loss. Great manager for Barnsley. Great player. But the thing that sticks in my mind about Norman Hunter was his ability to pass the ball accurately all over the pitch - he could pick the ball up in defence and hit a winger wide out on the other wing - at that time I’d never seen that ability before from a centre back. No surprises that he sometimes played midfield. He’ll never be forgotten.
Those that saw us play under him. Were privelaged to have watched a team that was up there with the best in entertainment. no matter what league or division, Loads of the tributes identify that. RIP SIR Norman Hunter.. Best manager of Barnsley fc EVER. IMHO.
I'll never forget one match against Grimsby. Long ball over the top by one of their players, Norman was the last defender and had a yard or two on their centre forward, who was a very good player called Kevin Donovan. Norman, being in the twilight of his career knew that Donavan would definitely beat him for pace, waited till he was within a couple of feet of him and "accidently" fell over, tripping Donovan up in the process over his body. The ref gave Norman the benefit of the doubt, but the Ponty End knew that it was intended. One of the funniest things I have ever seen on a pitch. Happy memories - R.I.P. Norman.
Just for once let's put any hatred we have for Leeds United on the back burner and join together in our sadness of the passing of a great Footballer & Manager.
Best Barnsley memory of all time - beating Rotherham away when they had gone up as champions and we were behind them in second place. Banger got a hat-trick that day and Ronnie G got the other. Thanks Norman
Just been talking about that incident. My memory was a full length rugby tackle on Kevin Drinkell. Seem to recall he took himself straight off and somehow avoided a red card. Long time ago though. Fantastic manager for us, was a total joy watching that team every week. RIP Norm x
I remember all the debates in pubs and clubs, trying to work out why Norman, a defender, created such an exciting, attacking team whilst Allan, a striker, had a much more defensive minded team. Great player and manager who gave an awful lot of fans memories to cherish. God Bless.
I think i was at 6th form college at the time he came. I was expecting a really hard player, who kicked the opposition at every opportunity (as a keen scholar of the game)....what i witnessed was totally different...a "player" who could pick a pass and use his experience to manage the ball, players and games to his advantage. What a loss but Norman thank you for being part of my education in the way the game can be played (and all in a reds shirt too!).
I’ll never forget Norman’s performance at Hillsborough when we beat them 2-0 in the 1979/80 season. He was immense that afternoon, and I clearly remember him taking Terry Curran out, albeit fairly, and raising his clenched fists at us in the Leppings Lane end. Curran seemed to lose interest shortly afterwards!! What a fantastic player. As others have said, he also managed the best Reds team many of us have had the pleasure of supporting.
Sad loss indeed. This awful disease takes yet another legend. Sorry to say there's going to be some come-uppance later when we total not only the sad daily losses with the well known "celebrities". We are having our life force ripped from under us. RIP Norman, thank you for your wonderful contribution to Barnsley Football Club.
Without a doubt. I watched the reds home n away under Norm. I thought we were better than under clarky. I think that team will take some beating for the football we played Rip big Norm very sad day for football fans x
That's right JLWBigLil. Terry is around 68 years old and Kevin is around 48 and is a coach at Huddersfield. Easy to confuse the two of them as they both played for the Mariners.