Dave Norton

David Wayne Norton (born 3 March 1965) is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Dave Norton
Personal information
Full name David Wayne Norton[1]
Date of birth (1965-03-03) 3 March 1965[1]
Place of birth Cannock,[1] England
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[2]
Playing position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1981–1983 Aston Villa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1983–1988 Aston Villa 44 (2)
1988–1991 Notts County 27 (1)
1990–1991 →Rochdale (loan) 9 (0)
1991 →Hull City (loan) 15 (0)
1991–1994 Hull City 134 (5)
1994–1996 Northampton Town 82 (0)
1996–1998 Hereford United 43 (1)
1998–1999 Cheltenham Town 49 (3)
1999 Yeovil Town 11 (2)
1999–2001 Forest Green Rovers 43 (2)
2001 Tamworth ? (?)
2001–2002 Gainsborough Trinity 2 (?)
National team
1983 England Youth 7 (1 + 2 pens)
Teams managed
2000–2001 Forest Green Rovers
2001–2002 Gainsborough Trinity
2002–2004 Tamworth (assistant)
2004 Grantham Town
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

His career started at Aston Villa, where he began as an apprentice on leaving school in the summer of 1981, turning professional two years later and making his First Division debut in a 3–0 away win over Coventry City on 19 January 1985, a few weeks before his 20th birthday. He made 20 league appearances in both the 1985–86 and 1986–87 seasons, but endured the disappointment of Villa's relegation in 1987 and made just two appearances the following season as they were promoted. He did not form part of Villa's return to the First Division, as he was transferred to Third Division Notts County.

He helped the Magpies reach the First Division in 1991 following back-to-back promotions (both via the playoffs) but once again he dropped down two divisions, this time signing for a Hull City side who had just fallen into the Third Division.

He spent three years at Boothferry Park before beginning a two-year spell in the league's lowest division with Northampton Town in 1994. He signed for Hereford United in 1996, but had to endure the disappointment of relegation from the Football League the following year and he retired soon afterwards due to injury.[3]

After surgery David was able to play again at non-league level and after leaving Hereford United signed for Cheltenham Town helping them win the Football Conference but because he had taken an insurance payout on his injury he was not able to play when the club were promoted to the Football League. He moved on firstly to Yeovil Town and then to Forest Green Rovers where he became joint-manager alongside former England international Nigel Spink. He helped lead Forest Green to the 2001 FA Trophy final where they lost to Canvey Island at Villa Park. He had further spells at Tamworth and finally Gainsborough Trinity.

His brother Trace Norton also played for Aston Villa youth team before later playing for Exmouth Town and later becoming an accountant.

References
  1. "Dave Norton". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  2. Dunk, Peter, ed. (1987). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 50. ISBN 978-0-356-14354-5.
  3. "David Norton - Aston Villa FC - Football-Heroes.net". Sporting-heroes.net. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
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