Leeds United legend Norman Hunter in hospital being treated for COVID-19.

Leeds United legend Norman Hunter is in hospital being treated after testing positive for Coronavirus.

A club statement has asked fans to “respect the wishes of Norman and his family and to give them the space they need during this difficult time”.

Hunter, 76, played 726 games for Leeds United in all competitions between 1962 and 1976 winning the two first division titles, the FA Cup, the League Cup, and should have won a European Cup but for the obvious. He also won the first PFA player of the year award for the 1973/74 season.

He finished his playing career with spells at Bristol City and Barnsley FC. He also managed Barnsley as both a player-manager and as manager after retiring, as well as a spell as manager of Rotherham United.

Internationally, Hunter won 28 caps for England and was in the 1966 World Cup winning squad. He didn’t get any game time at the tournament and probably got fewer caps than a player of his ability usually would, but the partnership of Jack Charlton and Bobby Moore was first choice for a very long time. He did eventually get a World Cup winner’s medal in 2009 after FIFA originally awarded medals to only the 11 players used in the final.

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Norman Hunter is also well known for his work as a co-commentator on BBC Radio Leeds and Radio Yorkshire and until recently was a regular on the gantry at Elland Road.

We echo the Leeds United statement. Keep battling Norman, all of Leeds United and football is with you.