- Former Leeds defender having treatment after testing positive
- Jimmy Greaves does not have Covid-19 and has not had a stroke
Norman Hunter made more than 500 appearances for Leeds.
Photograph: Evening Standard/Getty Images
The former Leeds United and England centre-half Norman Hunter is in hospital with coronavirus. The 76-year-old, dubbed “Bites yer legs”, had a reputation as a ferocious tackler during his 540 games in 15 years at Elland Road. Leeds were quick to send one of their enduring cult heroes a message, saying: “Keep battling Norman, we are all with you.”
Only three players – Jack Charlton, Billy Bremner and Paul Reaney – have made more appearances for Leeds than Hunter, who won two top-division titles during his years as a mainstay of Don Revie’s famous teams. He remains a familiar and extremely popular face at Elland Road, where regular visitors regard him as a part of the club’s fabric.
Liam Cooper, the Leeds captain, tweeted: “Keep Fighting Norman, an inspiration to us all.” His teammate Luke Ayling wrote: “Keep fighting Norman, the club and city are with you.”
Hunter was a non-playing member of Sir Alf Ramsey’s 1966 World Cup-winning England squad and won 28 caps. In 1974 he became the inaugural winner of the PFA player of the year award. His first-team career started in 1962 and he won one second-division title, the FA Cup, the League Cup and two Fairs Cups.
Under Jimmy Armfield, Hunter also played in the controversial 1975 European Cup final defeat by Bayern Munich. The following year he joined Bristol City before ending his playing career at Barnsley, where he became manager in 1980. He won promotion from Division Three in his first season but was sacked in 1984, later spending two years in charge of Rotherham.
Jimmy Greaves, another member of England’s 1966 World Cup squad, remains in hospital, undergoing tests, but his former club Spurs said the 80-year-old “has not tested positive for Covid-19 nor suffered another stroke”.
Greaves, who scored 44 goals in 57 games for England, suffered a severe stroke in 2015 and was admitted on Tuesday with an unspecified illness. His family have expressed their gratitude after being inundated with get-well messages.
World Cup winner Norman Hunter in hospital with coronavirus - The Guardian
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