Obituary: Maurice Norman

We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of one of our all-time greats, double winner Maurice Norman, who passed away at home on Sunday. He was 88.

The defensive rock of Bill Nicholson’s all-conquering team of the early 1960s, Maurice made 411 appearances for us between 1955-1965, one of only 13 players to reach that 400-game milestone since we joined the Football League in 1908.

It all started for Maurice on the village green in Mulbarton, Norfolk, where he was spotted by a Norwich City scout playing in a cup final for Wymondham Juniors. He signed professional forms aged 18 in 1952 and just 35 games into his career at Carrow Road, Spurs came calling in November, 1955.

A tall, powerful centre-half so strong in the air, his experiences of playing full-back earlier in his career meant he was also superb on the ball, often starting our attacks from the back as Bill’s team swept all before them, winning the league and FA Cup double in 1960/61, retaining the FA Cup in 1962 and becoming the first British team to triumph in Europe with our Cup Winners' Cup success in 1963.

To underline his importance to the team, during that golden era - 1960/61, 1961/62, 1962/63 - Maurice started 149 of our 156 matches in all competitions, missing just seven.

His outstanding, consistent displays for us were also recognised at international level. Maurice was capped 23 times by England and was included in squads for both the 1958 and 1962 World Cups.

Unfortunately, sporting tragedy struck for Maurice in November, 1965, when he suffered a badly broken leg that would end his playing career at the age of just 31.

A ‘gentle giant’, Maurice was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2014 and, more recently, cancer, but fought right until the end.

We extend our sincere condolences to his wife, Jacqueline, children Michael and Johanna, grandchildren Daniel, Zara, Clark and Rebecca and great grandchildren Zakary and Joshua at this sad time.