Keeping with the theme of tonight’s big game against Sunderland, it felt right that our first nostalgia piece was on a legend of both clubs, and that is certainly the case with Tony Norman.
It has been a debate for years in regards to who is Hull City’s greatest shot-stopper of all time, and those who saw the Welshman play between 1980 and 1988 still hold him in higher regard than those who followed. Signed by fellow Welshman Mike Smith in 1980, Norman made his Tigers debut against Millwall at Boothferry Park in a 1-0 victory, with another legend on the scoresheet in Keith Edwards.
After making 17 appearances in his first half-season with the club, one of his (many) finest hours in a City shirt would come the following season, albeit in defeat to eventual 1980/81 FA Cup winners Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. This season would ultimately end with the clubs first ever stint in the bottom division.
The first of the two following seasons in Division Four saw City finish 8th, although this would be overshadowed massively as the club became the first in the history of English Football to go into receivership. Despite this, Norman and a nucleus of the squad that included future legends such as Garreth Roberts, Brian Marwood & Billy Whitehurst all took wage cuts and would be promoted back to Division 3 after a 0-0 draw with Chester in April 1983 under the guidance of Colin Appleton and new chairman Don Robinson
At the beginning of the 1983/84 season, City thrashed Norman’s old side Burnley 4-1 at Boothferry Park. This game began the start of a club record which looks highly uncatchable in the modern game, with Norman playing in 226 consecutive games. This record would last until September 1988 in a 3-1 defeat at Blackburn Rovers. Despite the end of the 83/84 season ultimately ending in disappointment ,as Sheffield United denied City promotion by the narrowest margin of just 1 goal, Norman would again sample the promotion feeling in 84/85 in Brian Horton’s first season at the club.
It was around this time that the Welshman, who was still a rare starter for his country began to impress onlookers and scouts from clubs in Division 1. Two more outstanding seasons on a personal level – one which coincided with The Tigers’ highest league finish since 1970/71- would follow as he continued his remarkable record as being a mainstay in the side.
With the likes of Brian Marwood and Garry Parker gone at this point, it was clear that Norman was City’s highest valued player. His last , and 442nd appearance for City came on Boxing day 1988 in a 1-1 draw at Bradford. Norman would also leave with 135 clean sheets in his 8-year tenure.
The deal which saw him move to Roker Park included the return of City hero “Big Billy” Whitehurst along with Iain Hesford, plus £450,000 (A then club record deal). The move to the North-East gave him his deserved chance at top-flight football as well as an appearance in the 1992 FA Cup Final , a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool.
He would go on to play 227 times for The Black Cats before moving to Huddersfield in 1995.
Its fair to say, with the possible exception of Boaz Myhill, City haven’t had a keeper with such longevity since the days of Tony Norman.
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A class act & would probably be the first name on many premiership clubs’ teamsheets today.
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