In the pantheon of tough footballers the name Norman Hunter or, Norman bites your legs Hunter, to give him his full title, is still mentioned when tough footballers are discussed.
He played on the great Leeds team of the seventies.
Leeds were reknowned for their toughness and Norman hunter was synonymous with that, Roy Keane wouldnt have struck fear in Hunter.
In fact the only man Hunter was afraid of was a guy who lived in Shankhill Lurgan.
Bobby English was a Carryduff man but he married lurgan woman Jean Magee and resided in Shankhill.
Football took Bobby and Jean to England.
Bobby was an ex sergeant major in world war two, he was also army boxing champion.
So when Don Revie wanted to toughen his then young Leeds team up he cast the net out and Bobby was poached from QPR.
It seems that Bobby did indeed toughen the Leeds team up, nowadays Bobby would be seen as a strength and conditioning coach.
Regardless of what his title was Bobby was a big figure in the Leeds United set up as you can see from the fantastic photos below.
Lurgans connection with Leeds goes much further back to Wilbur Cush formally of Glenavon, regarded as an all time great at Elland road where his statue takes pride of place.
Then right up to date ex footballer Henry McStay from the town is now head physio at Leeds.
Henry went up through the playing ranks at Leeds but injury cut his career short. He obviously worked very hard to attain a similar position to what Bobby English attained but with a lot more science and exams required. I would like to get a yarn with Henry if anyone can get me in contact.
Thankyou for the story Jim Conway
Bobby was Jims uncle, i knew about Henry McStay but it is remarkable that lurgan has a connection to that great Leeds team. A few O Reillys in the town will love that.
This little piece is written in tribute to Jims cousin David English,who was also involved at Leeds united in the womens game and sadly passed away last week.
David was page boy Johny Giles wedding as you can see in one of the pictures below Bobby was a central figure in the leeds era of Revie Giles Hunter Gemil and the rest.
Thoughts are with the English family at this time.
Gordy Hamill
