Norman Hunter

I am afraid that the passing of Norman Hunter did not generate the type of feeling that John Pargiter expresssed over Doug Sanders.

Norman Hunter belonged to a school of defenders and defending that was prevalent in the late 60s and early 70s.

They  were brutal and intimidatory.

All the big clubs had one: Tommy Smith at Liverpool, John Hirst at Everton, Mick Doyle at Manchester City, Ron Harris at Chelsea and Peter Storey at Arsenal.

Yes, they were effective but tougher refereeing has led to their extinction.

One can only compare these players to Bobby Moore unfavourably. Moore could read the game brilliantly  and pass the ball out of defence.

Few of these I mention had much of an international career.

I remember the key 1974 World Cup qualifying match v Poland when Norman Hunter lost the ball which led to the Polish goal and ultimate elimination by England, or 1970 in the World Cup in Mexico when England squandered their 2-0 lead West Germany, Bobby Charlton was taken off and Hunter who only had one foot was taking corners with it.

He was an excellent club man, by all  accounts, a gent and accomplished after-dinner speaker but as happens in English football a cult has built up about him which his playing abilities do not merit.

The era in which he played was a curious one.

They were many mavericks like Stan Bowles, Duncan Mckenzie, Frank Worthington and Tony Currie who gained little international recognition or overall appreciation, often referred to as “ fancy dans” and others – as I mentioned – who were much loved for the wrong reason.