Leeds United legend Norman Hunter dies aged 76

The former England, Leeds and Barnsley centre-back, Rotherham United manager and Bradford City coach was admitted to hospital last week after being diagnosed with covid-19.

Renowned for his fighting qualities as a player, he held the disease off until Friday morning.

Hunter made his Leeds debut aged 18 in 1962, the first of 726 appearances for the Elland Road club.

He formed a formidable partnership with Jack Charlton in the Whites' most successful era, winning Division Two, two First Division titles, two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups, the 1972 FA Cup, 1968 League Cup and 1969 Charity Shield.

His last showpiece game for Leeds was the 1975 European Cup final, in the season after Don Revie left to become England manager.

Hunter's tough tackling style earned him the nickname “Bites Yet Legs” but he had technical ability too, and was voted the PFA's first player of the year in 1974.

He was part of England's 1966 World Cup-winning squad but did not play as he was Bobby Moore's understudy. He did play at the next tournament, though only as a substitute in England's last match, against West Germany. In all he played 28 times for his country.

Hunter ended his playing career with Bristol City and Barnsley, where he became player-manager, winning promotion from Division Three in 1980-81, his first season in the job.

He had two years managing Rotherham United and coached West Bromwich Albion and Bradford City.

He also had three games as Leeds's caretaker manager and despite growing up a Newcastle United fan, they remained his club, firstly as a radio commentator, then a fan, ambassador and host in the executive suites.

The last match he attended before his death was Leeds's final game before the coronavirus pandemic, a home win over Huddersfield Town.

One of the great characters of the game as well as one of the great players, he will be sadly missed.

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