I just found this article by Norman Hunter.. please log in to view this image http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk/trust_news/article000186.shtml This is an indulgence for us older fans and an insight for the younger ones.. please log in to view this image God I loved ' Ol' Bites Yer Legs '....
How we could do with a few players like those now, Put a Gow, Hunter, Collier and Cheesley in the team we currently have and we would storm up the table but thats just wishful thinking I think we now have a manager who given time could emulate AD in much the same way looking for young local players added to lower division and Scottish bargains.
Legend in a world where today the word is over used. As I've said before I had the pleasure of working in a butchers shop right next door to Norman Hunter Sports in Whitchurch in the late 70's so got to knew Norman really well. Absolute gentleman. Nuff said
Total agreement Hawk; players with no mean ability but a hell of a lot of passion! And before some of our posters pick up on your reference to "Scottish bargains" I do not care where they are playing now or their nationality, so long as they tick the boxes on ability and passion.
agree with all the previous posts,problem is i'm not sure how long he'd stay on the pitch, in this day and age, you had to be 18 to watch some of his tackles.!
Back in those days Scotland's national team was as good as England's - indicative of where Scottish football is now!
'not sure how long he'd stay on the pitch' Great footballers adjust, but sure he'd still have the odd 'problem'. Let's not forget that he was also a great footballer. I'm not talking Messi but defending is an art in itself. In my time there has been no better defender anywhere. He'd eat Ferdinand. He was a brilliant passer, great in the air and his understanding and organising of a defence is something we're unlikely to see again. I marvelled at his bravery and leadership - Norm, how we miss you mate.
The thing that really impressed me was all the points mentioned here by RP. But above those he was a sensible hard man unlike the swallow divers of today. If someone clattered Norman, he did not normally make a song and dance at the time, but we all knew that his retribution would follow at a more convenient time. Like all the old timers, pre Premiership/influx of foreingn players, they knew how to dish it out BUT also knew how to take it.
Had some great memories of Norman, one of the best was when he came to train my team one evening, we told our main rivals that we would get Norman one day, and bring him to our local pub on Greystoke Avenue in the mead, they laughed, well we did get Norman, and took him to our local after, if you could have seen there faces, what a picture, what a great evening that was, a true gentleman was Norman, a night never to be forgotten.
What pub the Standard? I lived behind that pub for 3 years on Westerleigh Road. Found it difficult to sleep without all the noices and police chases when I moved and I moved to St Philips in the centre
No it was The Treble Chance Red, and i remember the police car chases well, thank god it doesn't happen any more round here, they probably moved on to other things, or maybe moved down to Horfield somewhere, i think there's a nice red brick building down there somewhere.
Great player & Gentleman..I was fortuate to train with him most monday nights.. One hour and half consisted of; 4 laps around the pitch, up and down every row of the dolman (twice), circuit training non stop for 30 mins and then five a side......I think he liked fitness..lol I agree with Redprintt, one hell of a player..
