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Club Statement - Fan Sadly Passed- Headphones Norm Barker RIP
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Genuine question......WiganAddick said:Condolences to a true club legend. When I could get to The Valley, was the one face you could count on seeing in the North Lower. Proper Charlton.
Does anyone think that Norm had any idea just how well known and popular he was amongst all Charlton fans?
I would guess that his natural in-built humilty would have prevented him from ever thinking in this way?
The old adage remains that "you don't know what you've got until you lose it".
Another stalwart has been lost to us but his memory will never be lost.10 -
It did cross my mind as to what other fans would be up there and arguably more 'important' in terms of what they may have done at critical times to help the club but i think its the fact that it happened at the ground and just how unique, decent, iconic and harmless Norm was / is, that it's so 'big'. He probably didn't know how famous /well regarded he was but if its any consolation, his family will now be fully aware.CharltonManor1966 said:
Genuine question......WiganAddick said:Condolences to a true club legend. When I could get to The Valley, was the one face you could count on seeing in the North Lower. Proper Charlton.
Does anyone think that Norm had any idea just how well known and popular he was amongst all Charlton fans?
I would guess that his natural in-built humilty would have prevented him from ever thinking in this way?
The old adage remains that "you don't know what you've got until you lose it".
Another stalwart has been lost to us but his memory will never be lost.4 -
He didn’t have a clue how well known and popular he was - I was at the award ceremony in the summer when he got his Hall of Fame award - I chatted with him that night, and he was genuinely shocked to get the award - his brother and sister were with him, and they were equally shocked - I had a lovely chat with the 3 of them, and I can confirm he was a lovely man, who loved CAFCCharltonManor1966 said:
Genuine question......WiganAddick said:Condolences to a true club legend. When I could get to The Valley, was the one face you could count on seeing in the North Lower. Proper Charlton.
Does anyone think that Norm had any idea just how well known and popular he was amongst all Charlton fans?
I would guess that his natural in-built humilty would have prevented him from ever thinking in this way?
The old adage remains that "you don't know what you've got until you lose it".
Another stalwart has been lost to us but his memory will never be lost.29 -
I like to think that he will have a nice smile on his face looking down knowing that he is now something of a national football fan figurehead.2
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That message from his family has really choked me up18
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Norman's family statement has choked me up too, but so glad they've actually seen the messages from and down the country, and hope they can take some of comfort from them. 🎧 💙9
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I suspect he had no idea, because in my case I've not followed Charlton away for more than two decades, but I could still picture him instantly when on Saturday another Charlton fan of my acquaintance told me it was Norm who had passed.Genuine question......Does anyone think that Norm had any idea just how well known and popular he was amongst all Charlton fans?
I would guess that his natural in-built humilty would have prevented him from ever thinking in this way?
The old adage remains that "you don't know what you've got until you lose it".
Another stalwart has been lost to us but his memory will never be lost.
He was someone I probably exchanged no more than a few words with in passing half a lifetime ago, but his look was iconic, he always seemed such a lovely guy, and he was 'proper Charlton' as they come.
I do hope that in this darkest time his family can take some small comfort in knowing that, even in tiny ways, Norm touched the lives of everyone who shared an away end with him in far flung corners of the land. Rest in peace, Norm.6 -
Someone who I knew of and most likely sat near, or far, with at so many games but never had the pleasure to meet or chat about the club. Now I never will, leaves a hole in my chest and a hole in our club. Headphones on this seat forever more!1
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Rufus is a dogs name said:
I saw a nice quote somewhere, along the lines of:Leuth said:RIP. This has really messed with me, and I've not been able to form a proper response. But I think, despite the horrible and tragic experience that unfolded for all of us to some degree on Saturday, there's a crumb of solace. They say that most people would wish to go surrounded by their family. Well, he certainly was
'It's incredibly sad to think that that Norman will never be back at The Valley ...however there is also something in the fact that given the circumstances of Saturday, arguably he'll never leave'
The words “He will never leave” are the most endearing of the of all the tributes to Norm. Same age as Norm, and have seen him throughout my years as a fan. An many of those were far flung places with scores of Charlton there rather than hundreds or thousands. Just, thinking he physically won’t be there anymore is upsetting. However, the “He will never leave” thought is a very good way to think. RIP Norm a thick and thin stalwart of our club.
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RIP Norm ❤️. Condolences to your family and friends. Hope they can take some small comfort in reading how highly you were thought of on here and other Charlton sites. A true Legend supporter.0
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I like it, simple and not complicated!BDL said:Sebbo and Norm - ole ole ?1 -
Really beautiful photo too and exactly how most fans will remember Norm when they think of himclive said:5 -
'Live, love, laugh and be happy.' Really not a bad way of looking at this fleeting thing we call life. Lovely tributecastrust said:4 -
& how appropriate that Seb & Norm are page to page in the memory book…❤️🤍❤️castrust said:2 -
Few of us are laying a wreath before the Fanzone opens tomorrow, nominally from the train travellers but not exclusive if people want to join us8
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Like many I only knew ' headphones Norm' to nod to at away games but I cannot get over how empty I feel, I really aren't bothered about the game tomorrow,
R.I.P. Norm sending all my love to his friends and family xx 🎧⚽3 -
Featured on ITV London news this evening.4
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And about to be on BBC London newshoof_it_up_to_benty said:Featured on ITV London news this evening.2 -
Great feature on BBC - lovely to see.2
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Hopefully the club could get some of his family to be guests at the rearranged game.1
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Lovely tribute from Gavin Carter and @JewishJon2
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CharltonManor1966 said:
Genuine question......WiganAddick said:Condolences to a true club legend. When I could get to The Valley, was the one face you could count on seeing in the North Lower. Proper Charlton.
Does anyone think that Norm had any idea just how well known and popular he was amongst all Charlton fans?
I would guess that his natural in-built humilty would have prevented him from ever thinking in this way?
The old adage remains that "you don't know what you've got until you lose it".
Another stalwart has been lost to us but his memory will never be lost.
I saw him pre season at Greenwich Borough a good few years back. He was at the tiny club shop cabin stocking up on souvenirs...I instantly recognised him and said to the bloke next to me....this is Headphones Norm- he's a Charlton Legend. He looked completely surprised and smiled but in a very modest, unassuming way.
Very unlikely he was aware of the high esteem he was held in by complete strangers like myself and the thousands of others judging by the words that have flooded in in recent days....didn't know him, but knew him as he was just there at Charlton every home game i went to and every away day and just had the aura of being a lovely person and a proper icon at our club as has been confirmed in the lovely tributes.
A proper Charlton man.5 -
Just listened to NTT20 podcast. At the end of a review of the weekends games, they gave a short eulogy to Norm.
RIP Norm5 -
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The Portsmouth Gofundme is up to £3800, which is brilliant from their fans - but I can't see the end recipient. I'm guessing it is meant for funeral costs..?
Feel free to remove this if you feel it's a bit fishy, or I'm being overly paranoid
https://www.gofundme.com/f/norm-from-the-portsmouth-fc-fanbase0
