"The Valley was like a magnet" - Charlton Athletic mourning loss of Norman 'Headphones' Barker
Charlton Athletic fans have paid their respects to Norman Barker after he passed away during Saturday’s Championship match against Portsmouth.
Widely known as Headphones Norm, he fell unwell in the lower tier of the Covered End with play suspended in the 13th minute.
Barker received medical attention in the stand as both sets of players left the pitch. Match announcer Dave Lockwood confirmed at 1.30pm that the fixture had been abandoned.
Barker was named Supporter of the Year in July and attended Charlton Athletic Museum to pick up his award.
He had been a season-ticket holder for 40 years.
Speaking as part of the club’s Once an Addick campaign in the summer of 2020, Barker said: “Charlton…it’s a way of life for me. I never knew it existed until I moved down to the Woolwich area in September 1968.
“The thing that stuck out for me was the football, big crowds, noise and the fans - the total surroundings. It was fascinating. Even when I got home and I told my mum: ‘I’ve been to my first football ground’. She couldn’t believe it.
“I’ve been sitting with the same people for over 20 years. It is like a second family - home from home. When there is a game on Saturday afternoon, I’ve got to be there. Those couple of hours we have up there, we have a laugh. It’s a magnet.”
South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition podcast host Louis Mendez said: “Headphones was one of those supporters you would see everywhere.
“In the main he was just a normal bloke who goes to football, which is why a lot of people are hurting today. He was very much one of us – but went the extra mile with his unwavering support over the years.
“He had his own unique style that endeared him to the fanbase but overall he was just a nice guy who supported the same football club as us. And that goes an awful long way as we all enjoy the affiliation that watching Charlton every week builds.
“I can still remember the first time I spoke to him at London Bridge following a defeat at Highbury in the Premier League in 2006. We’d been beaten 3-0 but I returned home giddy as I’d shared a chat with the infamous Headphones in his trademark garb that made him stand out from the crowd.
“Seeing the likes of Norm and Seb Lewis at games was always a comfort. The nature of the way Norm passed yesterday will hurt a lot of supporters for a long time and he will be greatly missed.”
Rick Everitt, editor of the Voice of The Valley fanzine, posted on X: “No idea what it was like to be a black CAFC fan in the 1970s, but imagine it had its challenges. Norm just got on with it and was a constant presence for all my time as a fan.
“Always bought VOTV and clearly loved the club. An abandoned game is the least he deserved. RIP, mate.”
Ben Greene got in touch with this website on Substack. He said: “Some of us go back far enough to pre-headphones when we first knew him as Norm the Badge because he was laden - hat, scarf and jacket - with many and varied Charlton pins and enamel badges.
“The pain is the same as when Sebo [Seb Lewis] passed and, like Sebo, we’ll sing for Norm, we’ll hoist a flag for Norm, we’ll find ways to remember and cherish those memories - and when we do, we’ll smile. But today we grieve. For one of our own.”
Blogger Chicago Addick posted: “I think I was a kid when I first remember seeing Norm at matches. He was pretty recognisable dressed in a sleeveless jacket covered in badges, always a hat, whatever the weather, and his trademark oversized pair of headphones wrapped around his head.
“Every away game, every home game, Norm would be there. When you saw Norm at an away game you knew you were not alone.
“That Covered End in the sky is sadly getting quite crowded, but what a noise those wonderful characters are making.”
Former Charlton captain Jason Pearce posted: “RIP Norm. Sending wishes to friends and family at this awful time.”
Charlton Athletic posted a statement on Saturday evening: “The club are devastated to report that a Charlton Athletic supporter has died following a medical emergency during today’s game at The Valley against Portsmouth.
“The match was halted in the 12th minute while the supporter received treatment and was subsequently postponed.
“The club would like to thank the Charlton staff and first responders who did everything they could, but sadly the supporter later passed away in hospital.
“The club are grateful to supporters in attendance and the Portsmouth players and staff for their patience and understanding as this tragedy unfolded.
“Everyone at the club sends their heartfelt condolences to the supporter’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”
There are plenty of other tributes paid on social media platforms - including this thread on Charlton Life.
Picture: Paul Edwards
A genuinely lovely bloke, as Louis puts it so perfectly it hurts because he was just like many of us (just with a braver fashion sense!) a normal bloke who loved his football club and who felt as if he had a second family.
Used to chat too him in Charlton when waiting for the coach sometimes, had a few very nice chats, just a genuinely kind bloke.
Favourite memory has to be the time I thought I had my own carriage on a train back once, put my own headphones on, got to Euston and stood up and there he was… don’t know why that memory sticks out, just a normal interaction with a nice human being.
Really hope the club prepare something for Tuesday (I’m sure they will).
RIP, always one of us
Such a sad day for the club and all us fans that interacted with Norm on match days in SE7 or around the country.
Even had mates who support other clubs messaging me, seems he was the face of Charlton for many of them over the years and they're all gutted to hear of his passing.