RIP Headphones Norm. A true legend.
It is really sad to hear the news of Norms passing after the 12th minute in the game against Portsmouth on 6.12.25.
It was a real shock. More so when I googled and recognised the face from the name Norman Barker(Norm).
We started school together at Charlton Secondary School for boys at the Lombard Wall building from the age of 11-13years I believe. We were in the same class together. We were both born in 1957. Then the school moved to the Maryon Park building of Charlton Secondary school. We were together there as well for another 2 years. We were in the same maths class. Mr Foss was our maths teacher back then.
Norman(Norm) at school was almost exactly the same then. Whatever fellow supporters have said in their tributes to him apply to him as when he was at school. He was a shy boy. Humble, kind, modest. I don’t recall him ever getting upset or annoyed about anything no matter how much anybody tried. He would not hurt a fly. He would just make a facial expression and turn away if anyone tried to mock him or upset him. He had extremely good self control as a child. It has been said that Norm shrugged his shoulders when there was a delay due to a train cancellation but no other reaction from him. It is typical of him. It is good to see that not only the boro fans but all fans would be uniting in paying their tributes to Headphones Norm on Tuesday. I will be there on Tuesday 9.12.25 to pay my respects to Norm. There should be a statue in a prominent position at the ground in Norms memory as suggested. I am really touched by the tributes paid to Norm.
I have been a Charlton supporter all my life.
I never met Norman Barker at the valley.
I had no idea that Norm was a true legend.
RIP Norman Barker(Norm),”Headphones Norm”
see you on Tuesday 9.12.25.
Parkash
your School and classmate (Charlton Secondary School for Boys 1969-1973)
