Norman Bullock (8 September 1900 – 22 October 1970) was an English professional footballer, who played as both a forward and a defender, and manager.
He began his career playing local amateur football before signing for Bury in 1920. In 15 years with the club, he set new club records for both appearances and goals, scoring 125 league goals in over 500 appearances. During his career he also represented England at international level, scoring twice.
After retiring from playing in 1935, he was appointed manager of Bury and remained in the role until 1938 when he left to manage Chesterfield. He returned to manage Bury for a second spell between 1945 and 1949 before leaving again to join Leicester City. He won promotion to the First Division with Leicester in 1954 but resigned the following season with the club in the relegation zone.
During his career, Bullock won three caps for England at international level. He made his debut on 19 March 1923 in a 6–1 victory over Belgium at Arsenal Stadium, scoring his side's final goal of the game. He was forced to wait three years before winning his second cap, playing in a 3–1 defeat to Wales in February 1926. He won his third and final cap later in October of the same year during a 3–3 draw with Ireland, scoring England's equaliser in the 80th minute.
In December 1949, Bullock was appointed manager of Second Division side Leicester City, replacing Johnny Duncan. Upon his arrival, he outlined his "five-year plan" with the goal taking Leicester into the First Division. Bullock set about restructuring the playing squad, replacing several senior players who he deemed to hold too much power at the club, and implemented several new rules at the club. These included players being banned from riding on motorcycles. During the 1953–54 season, he led the club to the Second Division title and promotion to the First Division with an attacking philosophy centred around forwards Arthur Rowley and Derek Hines. His side set a new club record by scoring 97 goals during the league season to win the title on goal difference, bettering second placed Everton by 0.3 of a goal.
However, his side struggled to adapt to the First Division and by the end of the year the team was placed in the relegation zone. With Bullock's position already under threat, the club's record signing Johnny Morris was given a 14-day ban by the board for a breach of discipline. The ban was designed to force Bullock into resigning, which ultimately succeeded. Despite his departure, Bullock was allowed to live rent free for three months in the house provided by the club and received £1000 compensation. Leicester remained manager-less for the remainder of the season with the board taking over responsibility for the team selection and were relegated to the Second Division.
Bury | June 1934 | June 1938 | ||
Chesterfield | June 1938 | July 1945 | ||
Bury | July 1945 | November 1949 | ||
Leicester City | December 1949 | February 1955 | ||
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