The tough-tackling centre-back, known as ‘Bites Yer Legs,’ was a key player in Leeds’ most successful period.
He won two league titles during his 14-year first-team career at Elland Road and did not appear in England’s 1966 World Cup-winning side.
Hunter was brought to the hospital on April 10 after testing positive for the coronavirus.
Former Leeds teammate Eddie Gray called Hunter a “iconic character” at the club.
Gray, 72, told the BBC: “He was a very brilliant player. “I don’t think people know that the ‘Bites Yer Legs’ took away from his true skill as a player.
“He never received as many caps as he deserved because of the legendary Bobby Moore, but he was as good as any defender in the game.”
Leeds said the defender’s death has left a “huge hole” in the club’s family.
“His legacy will never be forgotten, and our sympathies are with Norman’s family and friends during this extremely sad time,” the Yorkshire club added.
Hunter joined Leeds at the age of 15 and went on to play 726 matches in all competitions for the club, the fourth-highest individual total in their history.
Hunter was a key member of Don Revie’s legendary team, winning the First Division title in 1969 and 1974, assisting them in defeating Arsenal in the 1968 League Cup final, and returning to Wembley in 1972 to help Leeds defeat the Gunners in the FA Cup.
He also appeared in the 1975 European Cup final defeat to Bayern Munich in Paris, a year after Revie left to manage England, but he did taste European triumph when Leeds won the now-defunct Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1968 and 1971.Hunter stated in 2013, when he revealed he was selling his Leeds memorabilia at auction, that his one regret from his time with the club was that he never won the European Cup.
“Someone asked whether I was selling my shirt from that game [vs. Bayern], but I honestly don’t know where it is,” he said. “I was so upset, I’m not sure what I did with it.
“Medals do not signify anything to me. For me, it was about being at Leeds United and playing alongside that set of players and staff.
“It was magical.”
Hunter, despite being a member of the squad, did not play in England’s triumphant 1966 World Cup campaign, which featured Jack Charlton, his Leeds teammate, and captain Bobby Moore as their central defensive partnership.
The England national team expressed their “deep sadness” on Hunter’s death, saying that “all of our thoughts are with his family, friends, and supporters.”
After leaving Leeds in 1976, Hunter went on to play for Bristol City and Barnsley before retiring to manage the Tykes and Rotherham.
The Professional Footballers’ Association stated, “Football has lost a legend, and we join the entire football community in grieving his passing.”
Sir Geoff Hurst, England World Cup champion, said: “I am extremely startled and saddened to hear the terrible news about my friend Norman Hunter; he will be sorely lost. My heartfelt sympathies are with his wife, Sue, his family, and England and Leeds United fans. He was a key member of England’s 1966-70 side.
Former England captain Gary Lineker: I grew up watching the famous Leeds side, of whom Norman Hunter was a key member. This nasty illness was one crunching tackle too far, yet he will bite your legs someplace. RIP.
Former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton on BBC Radio 5 Live: “Norman always had a chuckle. He was very professional, a diligent worker, and a valuable member of the squad.
“He was someone you never wanted to play against because he made sure players knew he was around. He was an excellent player. He was much more than just a tough dude.
Danny Mills, a former Leeds defender, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “He loved Leeds like nothing else. It’s terribly terrible that he won’t be able to watch Leeds return to the Premier League.
“His understanding of football was vast. He might be critical of the players and squad, but he did so in a delightful manner. He might be critical but never insulted anyone.”
Casey Stoney, a former England defender, said, “I was really pleased to sit next to Norman at the PFA awards a couple of years ago, and he was one of the sweetest, warmest, and friendliest individuals I’ve ever encountered. He told me incredible stories and was extremely nice to me despite the fact that I was a stranger.”
