LEEDS paid an emotional tribute to club legend Norman Hunter by carrying his coffin down the tunnel at Elland Road.
The former defender died on April 17 at the age of 76 after catching coronavirus.
Norman Hunter’s coffin was carried through the Elland Road tunnel on SaturdayCredit: Twitter @LUFC
It was placed next to the pitch for a final set of photographs at the home of LeedsCredit: Twitter @LUFC
And on Saturday, the day of his funeral, the Championship side gave their hero one final farewell at his beloved Elland Road.
In a moving video shared on their official Twitter account, Hunter’s coffin was wheeled slowly down the tunnel.
The club’s anthem Marching On Together played in the background.
After heading out of the tunnel, the pallbearers carried Hunter’s coffin out into the stadium and placed it next to the pitch.
Highlights from the centre-back’s Leeds career played on the big screen while photos were taken in front of the West Stand.
Thousands of Leeds fans would no doubt have turned out to pay their respects and give Hunter a worthy send off.
Hundreds of shirts, scarves and flags – including the famous ‘Norman Bites Yer Legs’ banner – had already been left at the stadium.
Hunter died in April at the age of 76 after catching coronavirusCredit: Getty – Contributor
Leeds shared an emotional video on their Twitter showing the coffin in the tunnel with Marching On Together in the backgroundCredit: Twitter @LUFC
Captain Liam Cooper retweeted the video from the tunnel and wrote: “Rest Easy Norman. Show us the path from above.”
Luke Ayling did the same and added: “One last time for an absolute legend.”
Hunter was a heroic figure for the club during a 14-year spell between 1962 and 1976, coinciding with their most successful era.
As a no-nonsense centre-back but still a real gentleman, he played 726 times for Leeds, winning six trophies – including two First Division titles and the FA Cup.
The defender was also part of the England 1966 World Cup-winning squad before ending his playing career at Bristol City and Barnsley.
Hunter was admitted to hospital on April 10 after contracting the virus and sadly passed away a week later.
Hundreds of fans, team-mates and players past and present paid tribute to him, including Gary Lineker and Robbie Fowler.
Leeds confirmed Elland Road’s South Stand would be renamed The Norman Hunter South Stand, following in the footsteps of Don Revie and John Charles.
Hunter’s former team-mate and captain Billy Bremner, meanwhile, was commemorated with a statue outside the ground.
Leeds United owner, Andrea Radrizzani, said: “Naming the South Stand after Norman is the very least we could do to recognise the lifetime of hard work and dedication he gave to our football club – firstly as a hugely successful player and secondly as an ambassador for Leeds United.
“Norman was respected and loved by everyone connected to the club and as we battle through uncertain times it is unlikely that he will be able to be given the send-off he deserves and therefore we expect the South Stand to be bouncing when fans are finally allowed to return to Elland Road and pay their respects to a giant of the game.”
Highlights from the defender’s illustrious career in West Yorkshire were played on the screenCredit: Twitter @LUFC
Fans were unable to turn out for the send off but did leave shirt, scarves and flags at the groundCredit: Twitter @LUFC
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
