One of the greatest players to represent Leeds United played his final game for the club on this day in 1976 as Norman Hunter took to the field for the final time.
Norman Hunter enjoyed a glittering career with Leeds United between 1962 and 1976, as he made 726 appearances for the club, scoring 21 goals in the process.
During his time with the club, Hunter won two First Division titles, one FA Cup, one League Cup, two Inter-Cities Fairs Cup titles and one Charity Shield as part of the legendary Leeds side that dominated English football under Don Revie.
Although Hunter was known as one of the toughest players in the Leeds side, he was an excellent reader of the game and was capped 28 times by England, and was in the extended squad for the 1966 World Cup triumph.
He signed off his career in fitting fashion as Leeds secured a 3-1 victory away at Upton Park before ending his Elland Road career.
Norman Hunter played his final game for Leeds United in 1976
The 1976/77 season was one of transition at Leeds as Jimmy Armfield attempted to manage the Whites’ squad through the tail-end of the careers of the players who starred during the Don Revie era.
Armfield managed to achieve some success in the FA Cup, as Leeds qualified for the semi-finals of the competition, but they finished 10th in the table, some way off the leading pack in the competition.
Hunter, who was 32 years old at the start of the season, had been linked with a move to Birmingham City the previous year. At the time, Armfield dismissed the move, telling the Evening Despatch, “You can tell Birmingham that if they want Norman, we might be interested in Trevor Francis.”
However, with Trevor Cherry and Gordon McQueen both in the squad, Hunter’s time with the Whites was coming to an end.
Leeds won just one of their first eight games ahead of their trip to Upton Park, but Hunter was able to end his time with the club on a high, as goals from Carl Harris, the evergreen Peter Lorimer and Eddie Gray gave Leeds a 3-1 win.
Hunter joined Bristol City just weeks after Billy Bremner left Leeds to join Hull, and the South Wales Argus praised him, stating: “Norman Hunter epitomised the tough, no-frills attitude of United as they became one of the most consistent clubs in European football.”
Renaming Elland Road stand is a fitting tribute to Hunter
Sadly, Hunter passed away in 2020 after contracting coronavirus at the age of 76, which prompted the club to rename the South Stand as the Norman Hunter Stand, to go with the Don Revie and John Charles Stands at the famous old ground.
Speaking to the BBC at the time of the decision, former Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizanni stated, “Naming the South Stand after Norman is the very least we could do to recognise the lifetime of hard work and dedication he gave to our football club.”
He added: “Norman was respected and loved by everyone connected to the club, and as we battle through uncertain times, it is unlikely that he will be able to be given the send-off he deserves and therefore we expect the South Stand to be bouncing when fans are finally allowed to return to Elland Road and pay their respects to a giant of the game.”
The electric atmosphere that the stand creates is a fitting tribute to the former Leeds icon, who was as skilful as he was uncompromising during his distinguished playing career.
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