Norman Piper (born 8 January 1948) is an English former professional footballer who played in England for 13 years before finishing his career in the United States.

Playing career

Born in North Tawton,

Devon Devon ( ; historically also known as Devonshire , ) is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is bordered by the Bristol Channel to the north, Somerset and Dorset to the east, the English Channel to the south, and Cornwall to the west ...

on 8 January 1948 he joined Plymouth Argyle as an apprentice and signed professional terms in February 1965. Already an England Youth international, Piper made his debut for the Under 23 side in 1970 against Bulgaria, the year he left The Pilgrims- for whom he scored 35 goals in 221 appearances. That summer Piper had signed for

Portsmouth Portsmouth ( ) is a port city status in the United Kingdom, city and unitary authority in Hampshire, England. Most of Portsmouth is located on Portsea Island, off the south coast of England in the Solent, making Portsmouth the only city in En ...

, becoming their record signing at £50,000. Piper served ''Pompey'' with great distinction during the clubs increasingly tenuous hold on Division Two status, but eventually lost form after relegation to the third. He was dropped in February 1978, being replaced by his namesake Steve Piper. His contract, along with that of Bobby Stokes was terminated the following month. Soon after his departure from Portsmouth, a move to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers followed. In 1979, Piper was the first player signed by the expansion

Wichita Wings The Wichita Wings were a professional indoor soccer franchise based in Wichita, Kansas. The Wings were admitted to the Major Indoor Soccer League as an expansion team on August 21, 1979.

of Major Indoor Soccer League. He played for the Wings until 1982 when he was sent to the Pittsburgh Spirit.

Coaching career

Following his retirement from playing, he became and assistant coach with the Wichita Wings. He was fired on 30 January 1988. In 1989, he was hired to coach the Wichita Blue in the Heartland Soccer League. In 1990, the Blue moved to the Lone Star Soccer Alliance. He was fired mid-season. He coached the men's soccer team at Bethel College (Kansas) from 1988 to 1990. He now is a coach for a small travel soccer team in Southern California known as TVSA Hawks

Style of play

Piper was one of that generation who bridged the gap between terminological eras, beginning his career as a

wing half In the sport of association football, a midfielder takes an outfield position primarily in the middle of the pitch. Midfielders may play an exclusively defensive role, breaking up attacks, and are in that case known as defensive midfielders. ...

and ending it as a midfielder despite playing a similar role throughout.Only at the very end of his career was he tried as a full back: "The News", 14 November 1977, article by Mike Neasom ''Dickinson rings the changes for Vale''

References

External links

Talents unearthed by Argyle's scouts

{{DEFAULTSORT:Piper, Norman 1948 births American Soccer League (1933–1983) players Columbus Magic players England men's under-23 international footballers English men's footballers English expatriate men's footballers Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1977–1983) players Lone Star Soccer Alliance coaches Major Indoor Soccer League (1978–1992) coaches Major Indoor Soccer League (1978–1992) players North American Soccer League (1968–1984) players People from the Borough of West Devon Plymouth Argyle F.C. players Portsmouth F.C. players Yeovil Town F.C. players Pittsburgh Spirit players Living people Wichita Wings (MISL) players England men's youth international footballers Men's association football midfielders English expatriate sportspeople in the United States Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States English football managers Lusitano F.C. (South Africa) players English Football League players