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 on 8 January 1948"The PFA Premier League and Football League Players' Records 1946-98" Hugman, B: Harpenden, Queen Anne Press, 1998 he joined Plymouth Argyle as an apprentice and signed professional terms in February 1965. Already an England Youth international, Piper made his debut"Rothmans Football Year Book,1970-71" Peskett, R/Williams, T: Harpenden, QAP,1970 for the Under 23 sideAll in all Piper played 4 times for the U-23s Hugman (Ibid) 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, becoming their record signing at £50,000."Portsmouth, from Tindall to Ball" Farmery, C: Southend-on-Sea, Desert Island Books, 1999 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 1978,313 games/51 goals scored being replaced by his namesakeNamesake, but not relation Steve Piper. His contract, along with that of Bobby Stokes was terminated the following month.Farmery (Ibid)
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 of Major Indoor Soccer League.PIPER IS TOP YOUTH SOCCER COACH Wichita Eagle, The (KS) – Thursday 22 March 1990 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.MISL WINGS FIRE BOTH COACHES St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO) – Sunday 31 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 and ending it as a midfielderAs football moved from 1-2-3-5 to 1-4-3-3/1-4-2-4 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 Piper scores for Pompey in Cup game versus Boston Piper tracked down in the U.S.A NASL/MISL stats