Leeds United: Hall of Fame accolade for Whites legend Hunter

The 71-year-old joins former team-mates Jack Charlton, Johnny Giles and Eddie Gray into the prestigious Hall of Fame, which also includes the late Billy Bremner and Don Revie.

Former Whites manager Jimmy Armfield is another to have been previously inducted.

Hunter was a fearless defensive lynchpin of the famous Super Leeds era under Revie in the sixties and seventies.

He joined Leeds as a 15-year-old and made his first-team debut in 1962 and sampled glorious highs with United, featuring 540 times in the league before being sold to Bristol City in October 1976.

The north-easterner promptly earned hero status in the west country and later became player-manager at Barnsley in October 1980 - taking over from ex-Leeds team-mate Allan Clarke and taking the Reds to promotion from the old third division in 1980-81.

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Hunter later managed Rotherham United and has also been assistant-manager at WBA and Bradford City.

The rock-solid defender, who formed a formidable defensive partnership with Charlton, became the first recipient of the PFA’s Player of the Year award in 1974.

Hunter also represented England 28 times and was among a group of World Cup 1966 squad members awarded a winners’ medal in June 2009 at Downing Street by Gordon Brown following a public campaign.

Inductees are chosen by a panel including the Museum’s President Sir Bobby Charlton, vice president Sir Alex Ferguson, Gordon Taylor and Mark Lawrenson.

Other latest inductees include Manchester United “Class of 92” graduate Gary Neville, Nottingham Forest terrace hero and England hardman Stuart Pearce, as well as Paul McGrath, Alan Mullery and Ivor Allchurch.

The Hall of Famers will all be inducted at a prestigious award ceremony on October 14.

National Football Museum Director Kevin Moore said: “Each year we think the event and calibre of inductees can’t get any higher and each year our expectations are surpassed.

“This year we’ve received more votes than ever with Ossie Ardiles, Jimmy Armfield, Michael Owen and Colin Bell just some of the names who have taken the time to cast their vote.

“The awards dinner is an incredible opportunity to gather these football greats in one room and reflect on their successes.

“We’re extremely grateful to the ongoing support from our main sponsor the Professional Footballers’ Association who are instrumental in ensuring that the Hall of Fame is becoming one of the most prestigious fixtures in the sporting awards calendar.

“We’re also delighted that once again The FA is supporting our Football for All and Women’s Football Awards.”

To qualify for nomination, players must have finished their career or be aged over 30 and have played or managed in England for at least five years.