Norman Corner
Encyclopedia
James Norman Corner, known as Norman Corner, (16 February 1943 – 19 February 2011) was an English
professional footballer who could play as either a centre half
or a forward. Active in the Football League
between 1964 and 1971, Corner made 160 appearances, scoring 32 goals.
, in County Durham
, England
, on 16 February 1943. He attended Horden Roman Catholic School where he played centre half and wing half for the football team, and was selected for East Durham Boys.
before he signed amateur forms at Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1961. He spent 18 months with Wolves but was restricted to appearances in the Northern Intermediate League teams and returned to Horden Colliery Welfare. In August 1962, he again attracted a league club and he signed for Hull City
on professional forms. Corner's debut for Hull came against Brentford
in April 1964 when he scored twice in a 3–1 win at Griffin Park
. However, he played only five first team games, scoring four goals, in five years, during which time Hull turned down an approach from Brian Clough
at Hartlepools United
, before Lincoln City
signed Corner for a fee just short of £4,000.
He made his Lincoln debut on 7 October 1967 against Newport County to help his new side win 2–1. In April 1968, he scored a hat-trick against Bradford (Park Avenue)
with all three goals coming from corners. His final game with Lincoln came on 18 January 1969 in a 2–2 draw with Brentford
.
The same month, Bradford City
paid a fee also close to £4,000 for Corner. At , he was the tallest player to have played for the club at the time. He made his debut in a Bradford derby
against Park Avenue on 25 January 1969 and scored his first goal in the following game which finished in a 5–1 victory against Grimsby Town
. He helped City to 21 games undefeated to earn them promotion
in his first season at the club during which period he scored eight goals. In his second season, he tallied another five goals and also scored in a League Cup
match against Sunderland
. In his third season, he moved into defence, but still scored in all four of the club's FA Cup games. However, along with Bruce Bannister
he was unable to agree personal terms with the club. He appealed to an independent tribunal which proved to be unsuccessful but left the club on a free transfer to join Park Avenue in March 1972. His last game for City was in December 1971, against Aston Villa
.
Corner had passed his coaching exams while with City, and started coaching at Park Avenue.
In July 1973, he moved to South Shields
. He played one season with South Shields, before he took over as player-manager at Wingate
in the Wearside League. They came runners-up in the league and won a number of cup competitions under his guidance.
He returned to Horden Colliery and scored their first goal in the Northern League following promotion from the Wearside League. He remained at the club on the committee.
He went onto begin his own business and coached in schools.
. He was married to Jean, with whom he had two children Susan and Steven. Corner died on 19 February 2011, three days after his 68th birthday. His funeral was held at Horden Catholic Church, next to the Colliery Welfare's home ground.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer who could play as either a centre half
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
or a forward. Active in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
between 1964 and 1971, Corner made 160 appearances, scoring 32 goals.
Early life
Corner was born in the mining village of HordenHorden
Horden is a village in County Durham, England. It is situated on the North Sea coast, to the east of Peterlee, approximately 12 miles south of Sunderland. Horden was a mining village until the closure of the Horden Colliery in 1987. Main features include the Welfare and Memorial Parks and St...
, in County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, on 16 February 1943. He attended Horden Roman Catholic School where he played centre half and wing half for the football team, and was selected for East Durham Boys.
Career
Corner played youth football with Horden Colliery WelfareHorden Colliery Welfare A.F.C.
Horden Colliery Welfare A.F.C. are a football club based in Horden, near Peterlee, County Durham, England. They were formed in 1908 and joined the North Eastern League in 1935. They reached the 2nd round of the FA Cup in the 1938–39 season.-History:...
before he signed amateur forms at Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1961. He spent 18 months with Wolves but was restricted to appearances in the Northern Intermediate League teams and returned to Horden Colliery Welfare. In August 1962, he again attracted a league club and he signed for Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
on professional forms. Corner's debut for Hull came against Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
in April 1964 when he scored twice in a 3–1 win at Griffin Park
Griffin Park
Griffin Park is a football ground situated in the London Borough of Hounslow, west London. It has been the home ground of League One side Brentford since it was built in 1904. It is known for being the only English league football ground to have a pub on each corner, and is situated in a...
. However, he played only five first team games, scoring four goals, in five years, during which time Hull turned down an approach from Brian Clough
Brian Clough
Brian Howard Clough, OBE was an English footballer and football manager. He is most notable for his success with Derby County and Nottingham Forest. His achievement of winning back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest, a traditionally moderate provincial English club, is considered to be...
at Hartlepools United
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
, before Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
signed Corner for a fee just short of £4,000.
He made his Lincoln debut on 7 October 1967 against Newport County to help his new side win 2–1. In April 1968, he scored a hat-trick against Bradford (Park Avenue)
Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C.
Bradford Association Football Club, previously also known as Bradford and since its reformation in the 1970s now referred to as Bradford Park Avenue, is a football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England...
with all three goals coming from corners. His final game with Lincoln came on 18 January 1969 in a 2–2 draw with Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
.
The same month, Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
paid a fee also close to £4,000 for Corner. At , he was the tallest player to have played for the club at the time. He made his debut in a Bradford derby
Bradford derby
The Bradford derby is a football derby match played between Bradford City and Bradford Park Avenue.The derby has also been called the Wool City derby, referring to Bradford's history with the wool trade...
against Park Avenue on 25 January 1969 and scored his first goal in the following game which finished in a 5–1 victory against Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
. He helped City to 21 games undefeated to earn them promotion
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
in his first season at the club during which period he scored eight goals. In his second season, he tallied another five goals and also scored in a League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
match against Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
. In his third season, he moved into defence, but still scored in all four of the club's FA Cup games. However, along with Bruce Bannister
Bruce Bannister
Bruce Ian Bannister is a retired professional footballer who played as a striker.He played in the Football League for Bradford City, Bristol Rovers, Plymouth Argyle, and Hull City before finishing his playing career in France with USL Dunkerque. While at Bristol Rovers, Bannister and teammate Alan...
he was unable to agree personal terms with the club. He appealed to an independent tribunal which proved to be unsuccessful but left the club on a free transfer to join Park Avenue in March 1972. His last game for City was in December 1971, against Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
.
Corner had passed his coaching exams while with City, and started coaching at Park Avenue.
In July 1973, he moved to South Shields
South Shields F.C.
South Shields F.C. are a football club based in South Shields, England. They have a long and complicated history, with three distinct incarnations taking the name...
. He played one season with South Shields, before he took over as player-manager at Wingate
Wingate F.C.
Wingate Football Club was an English football club based in Hendon, Greater London. Established in 1946, the club merged with Finchley in 1991 to form Wingate & Finchley.-History:...
in the Wearside League. They came runners-up in the league and won a number of cup competitions under his guidance.
He returned to Horden Colliery and scored their first goal in the Northern League following promotion from the Wearside League. He remained at the club on the committee.
He went onto begin his own business and coached in schools.
Later life and death
After returning to the North-East, Corner lived in Horden, where he served on the committee at his former club Colliery Welfare, and later PeterleePeterlee
Peterlee is a new town in County Durham, England. Founded in 1948, Peterlee town originally mostly housed coal miners and their families.Peterlee has strong economic and community ties with Sunderland and Hartlepool.-Peterlee:...
. He was married to Jean, with whom he had two children Susan and Steven. Corner died on 19 February 2011, three days after his 68th birthday. His funeral was held at Horden Catholic Church, next to the Colliery Welfare's home ground.