Much-loved Charlton supporter Norman Barker was taken ill at The Valley on Saturday. He was immediately attended to by fellow supporters, staff and first responders and the match with Portsmouth was abandoned. Soon afterwards we heard the devastating news that he had died in hospital.
This is a personal tribute on behalf of the CAST board by CAST secretary Richard Wiseman:
Like many Charlton supporters I didn't know Norman Barker ("Headphones Norm") personally.
Like many, I had spoken to him briefly at various grounds and service stations although more often than not it was just a nod of recognition or a resigned shrug after a defeat. Sometimes it was a memorable exchange of broad victorious smiles.
I can remember the years before he donned his headphones. He used to leave The Valley with a large transistor radio which he held on his shoulder next to his ear. Is my memory playing tricks or did he have quite a large loping stride? I do know I would be one of a gaggle of co-supporters around him and I'm sure we had to quicken our pace to stay within earshot. There was a warm sense of being part of a privileged little community as we progressed along Hasted Road to the sound of the Sports Report theme and James Alexander Gordon reading the results in his impeccable style.
The years went by. There were promotions, relegations, last minute winners, humiliating defeats, trips to Welling and trips to Wembley. Norm was always there. He was always there with his hat, his badges, his welcoming smile and, in modern times, his headphones. It was so enriching when we saw him. We felt reassured that we were in the right place and we were reminded that we were part of a community that would endure no matter what. It was a community of Charlton fans of course, but it was also a broader community of people all over the world who find hope, joy and companionship at football matches. People who, despite the essential tribalism, recognise deep down that we are all one family. The tributes that have poured in from fans of other clubs since Saturday are testament to that.
People who did know Norman personally have described him as “the warmest of warm souls”; “a true gent with an infectious smile”; “a gentle man of humble intentions”; “accepting”; “generous with time and gifts”. I feel very grateful for the eloquence of the person who wrote “we are extremely blessed to have had someone with such loyalty and grace in our ranks”
I also feel very grateful to the people who nominated him as Supporter of The Year 2025 as it gave me the opportunity last July to shake the hand of this very special man and congratulate him on his achievements. I didn’t realise at the time quite what a privilege it was to do so.
Norm was always there and it felt like he had always been there. As a result we made the mistake of assuming that he would always be there in the future. However, when we kick off against Middlesbrough on Tuesday evening, he won’t be there. Seb Lewis won’t be there. Steve Clarke won't be there. Dave Thomson won’t be there. We will all cherish our memories of many others who won’t be there.
All we can do as we come to terms with our loss is to do what Norm would want us to do. Appreciate every day we are given. Express our love for one another. Stay loyal. Be gentle and generous. Live, love, laugh and be happy.
The club have published the following obituary:
https://www.charltonafc.com/news/norman-barker-1957-2025