| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Anthony Joseph Norman | ||
| Date of birth | (1958-02-24)24 February 1958 (age 67) | ||
| Place of birth | Mancot, Wales | ||
| Position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Burnley | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1976–1980 | Burnley | 0 | (0) |
| 1980–1988 | Hull City | 372 | (0) |
| 1988–1995 | Sunderland | 198 | (0) |
| 1995–1997 | Huddersfield Town | 7 | (0) |
| Total | 577 | (0) | |
| International career | |||
| 1986–1988 | Wales | 5 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Anthony Joseph Norman (born 24 February 1958) is a Welsh former professionalfootballer who played as agoalkeeper forHull City,Sunderland andHuddersfield Town. He also representedWales at senior level, making 5 appearances.
Norman holds the record for consecutive appearances forHull City, playing 226 consecutive League games between August 1983 and September 1988 (255 consecutive games in all competitions). Norman joined Hull from Burnley in February 1980 and made his debut in a 1-0 victory at home againstMillwall where he dislocated his finger but carried on playing.[1] In 2005, as part of the club's centenary celebrations, a poll was carried out to name the top 100 Tigers, and Norman was the highest-placed goalkeeper at number six. During his time atBoothferry Park, Hull completed a swift climb from the Fourth Division to the Second, and in 1986 finished sixth – their 2nd highest finish (they finished 5th in 1971) until they finally won promotion to the top flight 22 years later.[2]
On leaving Hull City in December 1988, he signed forSunderland for a then club record fee. During his time atRoker Park, he helped them win promotion to thetop flight in 1990 and also played atWembley in the1992 FA Cup final, where they lost 2–0 toLiverpool. He played a starring role in that cup run, including Man of the Match displays away toWest Ham United and at home toChelsea. Furthermore, Norman is the only goalkeeper to have played for Sunderland at the old Wembley Stadium twice.
He departed from Sunderland in the summer of 1995 to sign forBrian Horton (who had been his manager at Hull City) atHuddersfield Town. He remained inWest Yorkshire for two seasons until he finally called time on his playing career in 1997 at the age of 39.
He made 5 international appearances forWales, usually serving as deputy to first-choiceNeville Southall.
In August 2008, Norman returned to Sunderland as Academy Goalkeeping Coach. He was later appointed Goalkeeping Coach atDarlington 1883 in June 2012.[3] Norman then moved again, being appointed goalkeeping coach atGateshead on 21 July 2013.[4]
Since retiring from professional football Norman has been diagnosed with a rare heart condition calledcardiomyopathy. In 2005, he undertook a 190-mile charity walk in aid of the Children's Heart Federation.[5]
In recognitions of his efforts for the club, Hull City honoured Norman by inducting him into their Hall of Fame on 11 November 2025.[6]