Norman Whiteside

The Shankill Skinhead who became United's youngest goalscorer and a two-time FA Cup winner.

Norman Whiteside (born 7 May 1965) is a Northern Irish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder and forward. He began his career at Manchester United, signing professional forms in 1982 at the age of 17. He scored 68 goals in 278 league and cup appearances for the club over the next seven years, picking up two FA Cup winner's medals in 1983 and 1985, as well as playing in the 1982 FA Youth Cup final, the 1983 League Cup final, and the FA Charity Shield in 1983. He remained with United until July 1989, when he was sold to Everton for £600,000. He retired from playing two years later, aged only 26, due to a knee injury.

Quick Facts

Born: 7 May 1965
Birthplace: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Position: Midfielder; Forward
Total caps: 235
Total goals: 56

Lore & Background

Born in Belfast to Norman and Aileen Whiteside, he grew up on Shankill Road; because of this and his aggressive, physical playing style, he was later nicknamed the 'Shankill Skinhead' by Manchester United supporters. The family later moved to 10 Danube Street, and the family's poverty meant that Whiteside had to share a bed with his two brothers. He remained relatively unscathed by The Troubles, for his Protestant parents kept a firm watch on their children.

At around age seven he joined the Boys' Brigade, and quickly showed his natural talent for football, scoring ten goals in a game against boys almost twice his age. He was educated at Cairnmartin High School. He was discovered by Manchester United scout Bob Bishop, who offered him a trial. Whiteside's family were Manchester United supporters, though he held no particular allegiance.

He found he had been offered schoolboy terms during a school trip to the United States, where he and his classmates met President Jimmy Carter.

Reader's Guide

Whiteside holds records as the youngest player to take part in a FIFA World Cup, the youngest player to score in a League Cup and FA Cup final, and the youngest player to score a senior goal for Manchester United. Winning 38 caps for Northern Ireland, he played at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups. After retiring as a player he became a podiatrist, and still works at the corporate hospitality department at Old Trafford.

Did You Know?

Whiteside scored a hat-trick in the 1985 FA Cup quarter-final against West Ham United, consisting of two left-foot and one right-foot goal.
He scored the winning goal in the 1985 FA Cup Final, curling a shot in from the right in extra time to give ten-man United victory over Everton.
Whiteside was the first player to score in both domestic cup finals in the same season (1982–83).