Tributes pour in after hugely popular Barker passes away

Tributes have been paid after it was announced that Norman Barker, a hugely influential figure in local rugby, has passed away at the age of 78.
Norman BarkerNorman Barker
Norman Barker

The news was published on Monday afternoon on the website of Northampton School for Boys, where Barker became a PE teacher in 1992.

The tribute posted on the NSB website read: "It is with the saddest of hearts and deepest of regret that I write to inform the school community of the passing of Norman Barker, aged 78.

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"Norm, as he was known to all, grew to become a part of the fabric of the school over a 67 year association; initially as a pupil, then a teacher, a parent to two boys of the school and latterly as a rugby coach.

"Rarely a day has passed over the last 30 years that Norm hasn’t been seen on the playing fields of the school and things will never quite be the same without him.

"Norman was a ‘Northampton lad’ through and through. Born in St James in 1942 he was educated at Northampton Grammar School from 1953 to 1960.

"He was photographed in 1960, proudly wearing the school 1st XV jersey alongside his team mates, and that photograph can be seen to this day on the walls of the school pavilion. Above it a banner reads ‘Respect the Past’.

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"Norm had a brief spell as junior teacher at Cherry Orchard Middle School before he progressed to Loughborough College, where between 1962 and 1965 he formalised his training in Physical Education.

"He taught briefly at Bedford School and Stamford Road Secondary in Kettering, before becoming Head of PE at Sponne School, Towcester.

"At Sponne he built a curriculum around his passion for rugby, gymnastics and athletics. He was a talented performer and teacher of each.

"Norm joined the PE Team at Northampton School for Boys in 1992. He taught Physical Education to an excellent standard. But it is undoubtedly the countless hours he spent beyond the curriculum, supporting the wider education and experiences of the students in his charge, for which Norm will most commonly be remembered.

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"Over 30 years he spent his evenings, weekends and school holidays devoted to creating opportunity for others. Be that in rugby, athletics, gymnastics, trampolining, water polo or skiing.

"Norman’s selfless devotion to the students of the school was evident to all who knew him.

"During his formative years in education Norm developed his lifelong love of rugby, representing the 1st XV at Northampton Grammar School and Loughborough College.

"He would go on to earn 347 caps as a Bedford Blue, placing him 4th on the club’s all-time list.

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"He was an integral part of their team that won the Middlesex Sevens and the RFU National Cup in 1974/75, at that time the pinnacle of club rugby in the country.

"Norman taught rugby throughout his entire career in education and after decades of coaching was recognised by the English Schools RFU as a ‘Rugby Legend’ and inducted into their ‘Hall of Fame’.

"The contribution Norman made to rugby at NSB is immeasurable and not a single boy coached by Norman at the school will ever forget the influence he had upon them, not only as a player, but also as a person.

"Beyond school, Norman coached rugby with the East Midlands Under 18’s and at a variety of clubs over the years, including the Old Northamptonians, Northampton Casuals and Bedford Athletic.

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"He was also Secretary of the Northamptonshire Schools Rugby Association for 25 years.

"The warmth that people felt for Norman was borne of his huge heart and generous nature. He was loved by everyone, none moreso than the small children of the NSB Nursery for whom he donned the red suit and white beard to play a wonderful Father Christmas every December.

"But Norman’s greatest love was his own boys, Charlie and Lewis, both of whom followed in their Father’s footsteps as lovers of rugby and inspirational members of the teaching staff at the school.

"It is testament to Norman’s character that on many occasions over the years, when the school had a student who had lost their way somewhat and was in need of a guiding hand, a steer towards a better path, a word to the true, a figure to look up to and learn from, it was Norman who was asked to be that person.

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"He had a way with others that was natural, honest and warm.

"A mentor, a teacher, a coach and above all else, a friend.

"Norman Barker will be sorely missed."

Barker played a huge part in steering current and former Saints players to stardom, with Courtney Lawes among those who credit their career to him.

In an interview with The Telegraph, England lock Lawes said: "I remember in my first year of playing school rugby, one of my coaches, Norman Barker, made me say, 'I'm going to play for England when I get older'. At the time I was like, I don't know if I even want to play rugby, so I just sort of said it. But now it's come true."

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Following news of Barker's death, the likes of Paul Diggin and Frank Packman, former Saints players, took to Twitter to pay their own tributes.

Diggin wrote: "RIP Norman Barker, what a man what a legend. Helped me immensely on my rugby journey often referring to me as a silly little boy. Your kindness and guidance will me missed by all those you have met. Rest up xxx."

Packman said: "#legend RIP Norman Barker - how I will always remember you. You were an inspiration to so many and especially the Packman family..."

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