When football legend Maurice “Monty” Norman passed away at the age of 88 on 27 November last year, there was plenty said in the local and national press about his illustrious career with Norwich City (1952-1955) and Tottenham Hotspur (1955-1965), as well as his 23 appearances for England, including in the 1962 World Cup. However, there was no mention of the fact that he helped Wymondham Minors (ages 16 - under 18) to win the Norfolk Minor Cup at Carrow Road in 1951. It was in the final that Norman, playing at inside left, scored two goals in a 4-2 win over Norwich City College.

A week or so later the team met the Wymondham Minors side which had won the Norfolk Minor Cup in 1948 in a challenge match on Browick Rec, which was drawn. The picture of the 1950-51 team shows Maurice second from right in the front row, while second from left in the front row is John Barham, who recently told me of Maurice’s big contribution to the team’s success. At the time that 1951 final was described as “a splendidly fought game that proved to be the best Norfolk Minor Cup final on record.”

As a centre half (defender) Maurice made 411 appearances for Spurs, helping them to win the F.A. Cup and League Double in 1960-61, winning the F.A. Cup again in 1962 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963 – not bad for the lad from Mulbarton, who once turned out for Wymondham Minors on Browick Rec!