Speaker Profile

Belfast-born Norman was a boy wonder who broke records galore early in his career with Manchester United. He holds records as the youngest player to take part in a World Cup, the youngest player to score in a League Cup and FA Cup final, and the youngest player to score a senior goal for United. He won 38 caps for Northern Ireland, played at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, and also helped his country win the last ever British Home Championship in 1984. It all ended in tears after he had joined Everton in 1989 and he was forced to retire two years later at 26 because of a recurring knee injury.

After Whiteside retired and suffering through a minefield of misfortune in his personal life, he qualified as a podiatrist, specializing in the foot problems of players. He was welcomed back to Old Trafford where he works in the corporate hospitality department. He scored 68 goals in 278 League and Cup appearances for United.

Norman is a likeable and amusing after-dinner speaker with many fascinating stories about his days at Manchester United and being discovered by the same man who spotted George Best.