Norman Plummer
Encyclopedia
Norman Leanord Plummer was a Royal Air Force
officer and English footballer. During World War
2, Norman served with the RAF, serving in the Far East
and in Europe
as a navigator in the Lancaster bombers. He was one of the British servicemen that liberated the Belsen concentration camp in 1945. After the war he signed professional forms with Leicester City FC. He established himself as a regular in the Leicester side at first as centre-forward, but eventually centre-half. He became captain of the side during the 1948/49 season, under John Duncan
, and led Leicester
to their first cup final appearance, defeating the legendary Portsmouth
side of that season 3-1 in the semi-final at Highbury
. On April 30, 1949, Norman achieved his childhood dream of captaining Leicester City in their first ever FA Cup Final
appearance at Wembley
against Wolverhampton Wanderers, led by the great Billy Wright in front of a capacity 100,000 crowd. Leicester were the underdogs against a strong Wolves side, and eventually lost 3-1, but questionable refereeing decisions ultimately cost Leicester
the game. Mal Griffiths
had what was later proved to be a perfectly legitimate equalising goal disallowed for offside when Wolves were leading 2-1.
After several more seasons at Leicester, Norman eventually moved onto Mansfield Town, and finally ended his career at Kettering Town in the early 1960s.
Once he'd retired from football he ran the family shop on East Park Road, Leicester for many years until he retired. During his retirement he was a well known member of the RAFA and a regular at Glen Gorse Golf Club. He died on 25 October 1999, after a battle with cancer. He left behind his wife of 50 years Peggy, 3 children and 5 grandchildren.
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
officer and English footballer. During World War
World war
A world war is a war affecting the majority of the world's most powerful and populous nations. World wars span multiple countries on multiple continents, with battles fought in multiple theaters....
2, Norman served with the RAF, serving in the Far East
Far East
The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...
and in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
as a navigator in the Lancaster bombers. He was one of the British servicemen that liberated the Belsen concentration camp in 1945. After the war he signed professional forms with Leicester City FC. He established himself as a regular in the Leicester side at first as centre-forward, but eventually centre-half. He became captain of the side during the 1948/49 season, under John Duncan
John Duncan
John Duncan may refer to:* John Duncan , American artist and musician* John Duncan , Scottish weaver and botanist* John Duncan , MP from British Columbia...
, and led Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
to their first cup final appearance, defeating the legendary Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
side of that season 3-1 in the semi-final at Highbury
Highbury
- Early Highbury :The area now known as Islington was part of the larger manor of Tolentone, which is mentioned in the Domesday Book. Tolentone was owned by Ranulf brother of Ilger and included all the areas north and east of Canonbury and Holloway Road. The manor house was situated by what is now...
. On April 30, 1949, Norman achieved his childhood dream of captaining Leicester City in their first ever FA Cup Final
FA Cup Final
The FA Cup Final, commonly referred to in England as just the Cup Final, is the last match in the Football Association Challenge Cup. With an official attendance of 89,826 at the 2007 FA Cup Final, it is the fourth best attended domestic club championship event in the world and the second most...
appearance at Wembley
Wembley
Wembley is an area of northwest London, England, and part of the London Borough of Brent. It is home to the famous Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena...
against Wolverhampton Wanderers, led by the great Billy Wright in front of a capacity 100,000 crowd. Leicester were the underdogs against a strong Wolves side, and eventually lost 3-1, but questionable refereeing decisions ultimately cost Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
the game. Mal Griffiths
Mal Griffiths
William Malwyn "Mal" Griffiths was a Welsh footballer who played as an outside right for Leicester City and Wales.Born in Merthyr Tydfil, Griffiths started out in local football before signing for Arsenal...
had what was later proved to be a perfectly legitimate equalising goal disallowed for offside when Wolves were leading 2-1.
After several more seasons at Leicester, Norman eventually moved onto Mansfield Town, and finally ended his career at Kettering Town in the early 1960s.
Once he'd retired from football he ran the family shop on East Park Road, Leicester for many years until he retired. During his retirement he was a well known member of the RAFA and a regular at Glen Gorse Golf Club. He died on 25 October 1999, after a battle with cancer. He left behind his wife of 50 years Peggy, 3 children and 5 grandchildren.