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Club Statement - Fan Sadly Passed - RIP
Comments
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Is it too early to be thinking of tributes, maybe not. Maybe it forms part of the healing process for us all, for the club as a whole united unit.
I'm wondering whether a bronze statue could be put in the car park, similar to Sam's. I have no doubt whatsoever that the funds could get raised.
RIP never forgotten.3 -
Still hasn't quite sunk in yet. Saw Norm at Stoke, Never knew Norm to speak to but saw him most times at away games, and of course at the Valley.
Just reading Facebook and CL tell you what high regard in which he was held.
I hope the Charlton family can find a fitting and suitable way to remember and commemorate this legend.
Thank you to the fans and Para-medics/Doctors who tried so hard to help Norm.
Owners come owners go, Players come players go, Managers come managers go.
Supporters are there until the end. RIP Norman Barker.12 -
So weird , I am 64 and been following Charlton home and away for over 50 years .
I now release I always saw Norman but his face remained in my sub conscious like a hallucination and this absolute tragedy has made me realise as if I did’nt already know that just like Norman I do have Charlton blood running through my veins .
RIP my Charlton brother .11 -
The love on here says it all. Rest in Peace, mate.3
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I haven't posted on here in so long but having heard this news I just had to. Norm was an absolute legend, a humble man of gentle intentions. I remember bumping into him at the station in Oldham in the mid 90s and asked him the direction to the ground. He simply said 'walk with me young man' and off we strolled. At some point on the walk a car drove past and an inbred rolled down the window and shouted some horrible abuse. Norm just shrugged it off.
My wife has only been to one game with me, the 6-0 win at Barnsley and one of the first things I did in the ground that day was point out Norm and Seb, telling her that they were Charlton icons.
Men like Norm are few and far between and I can only say that I'm proud that he was part of the Addicks family. He was loved and respected by us all.
RIP Norm.54 -
I did not know Norm, but reading the comments he comes across as a real gentleman and committed Charlton supporter. My heart and prayers are with you Norm and your family.2
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RIP Norm it was my grandchildren who told me last night that it was Norm they recognised him from away games and they too were upset . Just shows he was known and respected right across our fan base
I thought it would be nice to have a mosaic mural like Sebbo’s on the other wall to celebrate two Charlton icons. I would be happy to contribute to any fundraising15 -
Expressed so eloquently by others already.
Had heard it was a well known fan, but didn't realise who until I left the ground.
Someone I remember vividly (how could you not) from my earliest days watching Charlton, when crowds were pretty thin.
A tue CAFC icon.2 -
Over the many years I have seen Norm around at games and he was a gentle soul who truly loved the club. He will be greatly missed and I hope he gets a tribute or something. Rip Norm.3
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RIP Claude.1
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RIP Norm, a very sad day for the club0
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Living in the USA even I heard of the legend headphones Norm mostly thru this forum. I am home but wasnt at the game. I will be there Tuesday and hopefully there will be a fitting tribute. RIP Norm.4
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I think that's a really important point you make about being a part of something. It's human nature to want to fit in. But being one lone individual in a crowd of thousands, with many of those being transient, fitting in might not always feel that easy. But Norm with his distinctive looks, friendly demeanor and ever present nature gave everybody someone to look out for, someone to recognise. A familiar face to make you feel you were in the right place. But he was, of course, more than just a face, he was part of the very fabric of our wonderful club. RIP Norm.fenaddick said:This is has shaken me more than I thought. I never met Norman but he was always someone I looked out for on an away day as seeing him made me remember I was part of something and not a lone spectator. Whenever I describe to someone why I love Charlton I talk about Norm and that feeling. I won’t stop doing that, he will still epitomise that feeling for me30 -
Some very nice comments across social media from fans of all clubs. Never met Norm but have seen him many times home and away. It’s a reminder that the fans are what make this club great. RIP.3
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Of all the things to make me tear up, it’s seeing the thread they have for him on the Millwall forum North Stand Banter. Everyone paying their respects and coming together as a football family. Same with the Palace fans.
Thats got me. I know in reality we all know there are things in life that are bigger than football. But it’s a sign of the man that he is getting love and respect from all across the football pyramid today33 -
Norm was one of the Charlton supporters you would be most likely to see at an away game.
A betting man may have had Seb down as favourite & Norm 2nd favourite.
Most of us “knew” him, but didn’t often have a conversation because he nearly always had his headphones on.
We played Gillingham away in the FA Cup 2nd December 2023 (Bonne scored & we lost 2-0).
We’d gone to The Scruffy Duck pre match.
As we exited and headed off towards the ground a front door opens and out comes Norm.
Well, I thought you couldn’t make it up and I was seeing things.
Anyway Norm explained that it was his cousin’s house.
RIP Norm, you will never be forgotten in the same way Seb will not.
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Remembering back to travelling to away games when I went most weeks, he was always a good bet to be close to, to find out the other football scores.
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Yes fair point, I wasn't thinkingpaulsturgess said:
He collapsed and died during a life match at The Valley though.charltonbob said:
I'm not sure that they will, they may well come out with the old "If we do it for one etc".TootingRedArmy said:RIP to a True Charlton Legend
Today has been a heartbreaking day for everyone connected with Charlton Athletic. News of the passing of one of our most loyal Addicks during the match at Portsmouth has left us all stunned and deeply saddened.
He was a familiar face to so many of us a reassuring presence home and away, year after year. With his headphones, his distinctive look, and that trademark hat, he was part of the fabric of following Charlton. You didn’t need to know his name to know exactly who he was. He felt like part of the family, because he was.
From where we sat in the East Stand, we could tell instantly that something was seriously wrong. The atmosphere changed, and the football suddenly didn’t matter at all. We left the stadium feeling numb , and hearing later who it was and that he had passed has been simply devastating. It’s far too early, far too cruel, and it hurts.
Supporters like him are the heartbeat of our club. The many miles has he travelled, the hours spent in the covered end choir, the unshakeable loyalty through highs and lows, he was a very special Charlton supporter
One hopes the club will honour him properly on Tuesday evening with a minute’s silence
Rest in peace
A true Charlton legend, forever an Addick.
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Norm was always there.
I used to travel to games alone and often not meet up with my lot until I got into the ground.
But Norm was always there.
I do the same now flying in for the odd game, alone.
But Norm was always there.
Devastated 💔
RIP You beautiful man, thank you for always being there.22 -
Perfectly put, @fenaddickfenaddick said:This is has shaken me more than I thought. I never met Norman but he was always someone I looked out for on an away day as seeing him made me remember I was part of something and not a lone spectator. Whenever I describe to someone why I love Charlton I talk about Norm and that feeling. I won’t stop doing that, he will still epitomise that feeling for me
RIP Norm, and thank you
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I have a fans representative going to take a look at my idea and contact the right people at the club to see if he /we can take it forward8
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I barely exchanged words with this guy but weirdly he somehow feels like family - your missus might dump you your work might sack you, you might fall out with or grow apart from Mates
but (generally speaking) your family are still there knocking about regardless - like Norm and Seb. However shit it’s got, miserable midweek aways in morecambe or burton, miserable midweek homes in front of 6,000 for that matter… SHITHURST
when I and a lot of even the most committed of us have given up and are doing ANYTHING else cos we’ve lost interest, hope, love, whatever… you knew those boys (and the likes of them) would be there looking after CAFC for you - they’re the reason the club are still there cos if nobody was there on those occasions the club wouldnt be
Norm (and Seb) the epitome of that and for that I shall forever be grateful to the man and I thank him (and also thank him for untold number of score updates back in the day)16 -
I can only endorse what has been posted many times on here and through other outlets.I knew of Norm and would almost certainly always see him at the away games, be it travelling to or inside the ground.The only time I spoke to him was at Exeter St Davids station last November. There was terrible delays on the trains getting down to Exeter but talking to him he took all in his stride with a shrug of the shoulders, he came across as such a warm, placid man.You passed in the surroundings you have loved for many years.Sleep well Sir.12
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This guy was everywhere you ever went when Charlton were playing and he exuded a cool calm way about him. Once seen you don’t forget him So sad.7
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RIP, Norm. A sad loss to the Charlton family.0
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Pretty sure Norm gave Sky the idea for Soccer Saturday. I originally remember him with his little radio giving constant updates on other scores, I always tried to stand or sit near him back in the day as I loved the stream of info he provided.
I have been a Charlton TV viewer for a while now and as such hadn't seem him at a game for a few years. I did pass him in Woolwich a couple of months back while walking back to work with a colleague I'd just been to lunch with. We exchanged the obligatory nod and smile and my colleague asked who he was (he was decked out in his usual miriad of badges and patches) - the warm smile she gave as I explained the back story summed him up perfectly.
When the rumour was confirmed yesterday for some strange reason I sent her a Whats App as I remembered the aforementioned encounter and subsequent discussion straight away.
The fact she immediately remembered him and replied saying 'that is so sad, I am welling up' is a perfect reflection of the emotion he has stirred in most of us.
He was not someone I knew well, but like many others when I did see him there was always a smile and a nod or a very brief exchange of pleasantries. The warmest of warm souls and I rarely saw him without his trademark smile.
I had no intention of physically attending any games this season, but if I can get away from work on time I will make an effort to attend on Tuesday if only to join in with any applause, period of silence or other tribute which takes place.
RIP Norm22 -
A fella and his kid came in to buy the last of the flowers in the Sainsbury's local this morning. No prizes for guessing where they've all ended up. If you want to bring some along to the game on Tuesday, make sure to pick some up before you get to the ground. A small shrine is by the North stand memorial wall near to the museum.
Will be good to be around familiar faces on Tuesday. I really feel for you guys in the North lower near Norm's seat. That vacant seat for the rest of the season is going to be really hard to face. Truly hope you guys are bearing up OK after the shock of yesterday.14 -
How good to see so many warm and heartfelt tributes for him.
RIP Norm3 -
I don't go to many away games these days, but Norm was always there - a reassuring presence and someone would always return a hello or a nod or would have a chat.
Saw him a couple of times away from matches too, the last time only a few months ago at a bus stop in Welling. It's devastating news and I'm so sorry for his family and those who knew him.4 -
This is great idea.
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