Leeds Legend Norman Hunter Dies Aged 76 After Contracting Coronavirus

​Leeds United legend Norman Hunter, a member of England’s 1966 World Cup winning squad, has sadly died at the age of 76. 

Hunter had been admitted to hospital last week after contracting coronavirus and despite the best efforts of NHS staff was unable to fight off the illness.

The former defender famously earned the nickname ‘Bites yer legs’ during his illustrious career and was a crucial part of Leeds’ golden generation in the 1960s and 1970s. He was also the first winner of the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award when it was created in 1973/74.

A statement from Leeds read, “He leaves a huge hole in the Leeds United family, his legacy will never be forgotten and our thoughts are with Norman’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”

Hunter joined Leeds as a 15-year-old in 1959 and spent close to 20 years at Elland Road. During that time, he was soon part of a Don Revie side that earned promotion to the top flight in 1964 and immediately challenged Manchester United for the First Division title.

With Leeds, Hunter went on to win two league titles, the FA Cup, League Cup, and two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups. He also played in the 1975 European Cup final when Leeds were beaten by reigning champions Bayern Munich in Paris.

Hunter played over 700 games for Leeds in total and is firmly among the club’s all-time top appearance makers alongside Jack Charlton, Billy Bremner, Paul Reaney and Paul Madeley, all of whom served the Yorkshire side during the same golden era.

Following his departure from Elland Road in 1976, Hunter continued his career at Bristol City and Barnsley, eventually retiring in 1982 in his late thirties. He moved into coaching, having already been a player-manager at Barnsley and taking the job at Oakwell full-time.

Hunter had further spells in charge of Rotherham and Bradford and later became a regular speaker on matchdays back at Leeds, where a suite at Elland Road is named in his honour.

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