David Norris (footballer)

English footballer

David NorrisPersonal information

Full name|  David Martin Norris[1]
Date of birth|  (1981-02-20) 20 February 1981 (age 43)[2]
Place of birth|  Stamford, England[3]
Height|  5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[4]
Position(s)|  Midfielder
Senior career*
Years|  Team|  Apps|  (Gls)
0000–1999|  Stamford|  |
1999–2000|  Boston United|  26|  (10)
2000–2002|  Bolton Wanderers|  0|  (0)
2000–2001|  → Boston United (loan)|  5|  (4)
2002|  → Hull City (loan)|  6|  (1)
2002|  → Plymouth Argyle (loan)|  7|  (1)
2002–2008|  Plymouth Argyle|  219|  (26)
2008–2011|  Ipswich Town|  106|  (13)
2011–2012|  Portsmouth|  40|  (8)
2012–2015|  Leeds United|  30|  (3)
2015|  Peterborough United|  8|  (0)
2015|  Yeovil Town|  1|  (0)
2015–2016|  Blackpool|  38|  (1)
2016|  Leatherhead|  1|  (0)
2017|  Salford City|  3|  (0)
2017–2018|  Shaw Lane|  |
2018|  Boston United|  1|  (0)
2018–2024|  Lancaster City|  54|  (16)
2024-|  Workington AFC|  0|  (0)
Total|  |  545|  (83)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of the end of the 2019-20 season

David Martin Norris (born 20 February 1981) is an English professional footballer who currently plays for Workington as a midfielder. Born in Stamford, he has played in the Football League for Hull City, Plymouth Argyle, Ipswich Town, Portsmouth, Leeds United, Peterborough United, Yeovil Town and Blackpool. Norris has made more than 400 Football League appearances.

## Club career

[edit]

### Early years

[edit]

Having started his career at Southern League Midland Division club Stamford, Norris joined Boston United in 1999,[5] who were playing one league higher at the time.[6] He scored ten goals in 26 league appearances in his first season and one more in five cup matches.[5] Boston won promotion to the Football Conference that season as Southern League Premier Division champions.[7] Norris was transferred to First Division club Bolton Wanderers for a fee in excess of £50,000 in January 2000, which was a record transfer fee received by Boston at the time.[5] He returned to Boston on loan in December and scored four goals in five league appearances.[5] In March 2002, Norris joined Football League Third Division club Hull City on loan, where he played in six matches and scored once. In two and a half years with Bolton, he made one appearance in the FA Cup and four in the League Cup.

### Plymouth Argyle

[edit]

Norris initially joined Football League Second Division club Plymouth Argyle on loan for a month in October 2002.[8] He scored the decisive goal on his debut in a 1–0 win at Crewe Alexandra,[9] and made seven league appearances before joining the club permanently for an undisclosed fee in December.[10][11] Argyle won promotion to the EFL Championship as Second Division champions in 2004 with Norris scoring five goals in 45 league appearances that season.[10] He won the club's Player of the Year award in 2006 and, after more than five years at the club, Norris had made 243 appearances in all competitions, scoring 28 goals.[10]

### Ipswich Town

[edit]

In the January 2008 transfer window Ipswich Town had two bids rejected by the Plymouth board despite Norris handing in a transfer request. Ipswich lodged one final, increased bid which was finally accepted after brokering a deal with Bolton that would allow Plymouth to receive more than the 50% Norris' clause initially gave them. Norris finally signed for Ipswich Town on 31 January 2008 for an undisclosed fee, signing a contract until 2011. He scored his first goal for the club in the 1–1 draw with Southampton away from home.

In November 2008, Norris was heavily criticised for a controversial goal celebration against Blackpool, interpreted as a show of support for jailed friend and former Plymouth goalkeeper Luke McCormick.[12] McCormick was returning from Norris' wedding in June 2008 when he fell asleep at the wheel due to the effects of alcohol and caused the deaths of two young boys.[12] He was sentenced to seven years and four months prison time in October of that year.[13]

The family of the bereaved took offence at Norris' gesture and he was subsequently fined and warned by Ipswich.[14] He was once again caught out when he told the Ipswich website[15] he had not intended the celebration as a show of support to Luke McCormick and the statement was later changed by the club, adding further to the controversy. The statement now reads that the celebration was in fact a message to Luke McCormick. Later that week it was revealed that Norris was fined £25,000 by Ipswich and would make a face-to-face apology to Phil and Amanda Peak (the parents of the two boys).[16]

Eventually, In August 2010, Norris became the Ipswich Town captain.[17] Norris was handed the captain's armband by Manager Roy Keane after the departure of the then captain Jonathan Walters to Stoke City.[18] In the summer of 2011 Norris turned down a new contract extension at Ipswich Town, with the club only prepared to offer him a two-year extension, a year short of the midfielders demands, with rival Championship club Leeds United heavily linked with signing him on a free transfer.[19]

### Portsmouth

[edit]

On 15 June 2011, Norris signed for Portsmouth on a free transfer after turning down a new two-year deal with Ipswich.[20] On 6 August, in his debut league appearance for Portsmouth, he scored against Middlesbrough in a game which ended 2–2.[21] He scored his second goal for Portsmouth in a match away at West Ham United, which ended 4–3 to the home team. At first it was believed that Benjani Mwaruwari had scored the goal, but replays later showed that Norris had already put the ball over the line when Benjani headed in the rebound.[22]

His first goal at Fratton Park came in a 2–0 home victory against Barnsley. With the match goalless, Karim Rekik headed the ball down to Norris, who controlled and then volleyed it into the net from the edge of the penalty area.[23] On 7 April 2012, Norris scored a spectacular equalising goal against arch-rivals Southampton in the 93rd minute to secure Portsmouth a point.

### Leeds United

[edit]

In July 2012, Norris agreed the deal to join Leeds United from Portsmouth, to join his former teammates Jason Pearce, Luke Varney and Jamie Ashdown.[24] Norris was allocated the number 19 shirt for the 2012–13 season on 3 August.[25]

Norris made his competitive début for Leeds in the first game of the season against Shrewsbury Town in the League Cup on 11 August. Norris was also named the Leeds United captain for the match and also scored his first goal in the same game.[26] Norris made his league début for Leeds in their 1–0 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers.[27] On 7 September, Norris was ruled out for a month after picking up a thigh injury,[28] as a result of the injury, Leeds signed Michael Tonge on loan to help cover his absence.[29] Norris made his first start since returning from injury against Charlton Athletic on 23 October, in the same game Norris scored his second goal of the season which was his first league goal for Leeds.[30] Norris scored his third goal of the season for Leeds against Huddersfield Town to help earn Leeds a 4–2 victory on 1 December.[31]

Norris missed the final three games of the season under new manager Brian McDermott due to a knee injury that required surgery,[32] and on 15 August 2013, with Leeds needing to raise finances to help fund signings, he was made available for transfer alongside teammates El Hadji Diouf and Adam Drury.[33]

Norris was out of favour throughout the 2013–2014 season under McDermott, making only one appearance in the League Cup.[34] He featured in the development squad,[35] but was also hampered by another knee injury that kept him out over the winter period.[36][37][38]

Norris made his first appearance for Leeds in over a year in the last game of Head Coach Dave Hockaday against Bradford City in the League Cup, providing an assist for striker Matt Smith who opened the scoring in a 2–1 defeat on 27 August 2014.[39]

He was finally released by Leeds United on 2 February 2015, when his contract was cancelled by mutual consent.[40]

### Peterborough United

[edit]

Norris joined League One side Peterborough United on a short-term contract on 13 February 2015, until the end of the 2014–15 season. He was allocated the number 23 shirt for the club.

### Yeovil Town

[edit]

On 21 August 2015, Norris signed for League Two side Yeovil Town on non-contract terms, linking up with his former Plymouth manager Paul Sturrock.[41] He made his only appearance in the 2–0 defeat against Oxford United, on 29 August 2015, and left the club on 1 September 2015.[42]

### Blackpool

[edit]

Norris joined Blackpool on 3 September 2015, on a contract until the end of the season.[43] He scored his first and only goal for Blackpool in a 5–0 win over Scunthorpe United on 16 January 2016.[44]

### Leatherhead

[edit]

In September 2016 he signed for non-league Leatherhead.[45]

### Salford City

[edit]

In February 2017 he signed for non-league Salford City.[46]

### Shaw Lane

[edit]

In August 2017, Norris joined Shaw Lane.[47]

### Return to Boston

[edit]

In September 2018, 18 years after initially leaving the club, Norris returned to Boston United.[48]

### Lancaster City

[edit]

In December 2018 Norris signed for Northern Premier League club Lancaster City. His first appearance was on 1 December at North Ferriby United but North Ferriby left the league, with their record expunged in March 2019, so Norris's debut in real terms was the following week, when he appeared as a substitute in a home game against Gainsborough Trinity.

## International career

[edit]

Norris qualifies to play for the Republic of Ireland, through his mother, who has family in Kildare. Though he has never been selected to play for them, he was contacted by Steve Staunton (Ireland's former manager) about playing.[49]

## Career statistics

[edit]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition  Club  | Season  | League  | FA Cup | League Cup | Other  | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|

Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals
Boston United | 1999–2000 | Southern League Premier Division  | 17 | 8 | 1 | 0 | ― | 0 | 0 | 18 | 8
Bolton Wanderers | 2000–01[50] | First Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0
2001–02[51] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ― | 3 | 0
Total | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0
Boston United (loan)  | 2000–01[50] | Conference | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | ― | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4
Total | 22 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 12
Hull City (loan)  | 2001–02[51] | Third Division | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1
Plymouth Argyle | 2002–03[52] | Second Division | 33 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 6
2003–04[53] | Second Division  | 45 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 48 | 5
2004–05[54] | Championship | 35 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ― | 35 | 3
2005–06[55] | Championship  | 45 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ― | 47 | 2
2006–07[56] | Championship  | 41 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ― | 47 | 7
2007–08[57] | Championship  | 27 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ― | 30 | 5
Total | 226 | 27 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 243 | 28
Ipswich Town | 2007–08[57] | Championship  | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ― | 9 | 1
2008–09[58] | Championship  | 37 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ― | 41 | 3
2009–10[59] | Championship  | 24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ― | 25 | 1
2010–11[60] | Championship  | 36 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | ― | 43 | 11
Total | 106 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 118 | 16
Portsmouth | 2011–12[61] | Championship  | 40 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ― | 42 | 8
Leeds United | 2012–13[62] | Championship  | 30 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | ― | 34 | 4
2013–14[63] | Championship  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ― | 1 | 0
2014–15[64] | Championship  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ― | 1 | 0
Total | 30 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 4
Peterborough United | 2014–15[64] | League One | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0
Yeovil Town | 2015–16[65] | League Two | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0
Blackpool | 2015–16[65] | League Two  | 38 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 1
Career total  | 477 | 65 | 20 | 1 | 22 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 520 | 70

1. ^ Appearance in Football League Trophy

## Honours

[edit]

### Club

[edit]

Boston United

* Southern League Premier Division: 1999–2000

Plymouth Argyle

* Football League Second Division: 2003–04

### Individual

[edit]

* Plymouth Argyle Player of the Year: 2005–06

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "David Norris". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
2. ^ "David Norris". Soccerbase. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
3. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 515\. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
4. ^ Hugman, Barry (2007). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2007–08. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 301\. ISBN 978-1-84596-246-3.
5. ^ a b c d "Boston United Roll Call". The Boston United Archive. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
6. ^ Williams, Mike; Wright, Tony, eds. (2005). Non League Club Directory 2006. Tony Williams Publications. p. 1013\. ISBN 978-1-869833-54-1.
7. ^ Abbink, Dinant (24 July 2005). "England – Southern League Final Tables". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
8. ^ "Argyle secure Norris deal". BBC Sport. 10 October 2002. Archived from the original on 20 December 2002. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
9. ^ "Crewe 0–1 Plymouth". BBC. 19 October 2002. Archived from the original on 2 May 2004. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
10. ^ a b c "David Norris". Greens on Screen. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
11. ^ "Argyle close in on Norris". BBC Sport. 9 December 2002. Archived from the original on 21 December 2002. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
12. ^ a b Roughley, Gregg (10 November 2008). "Family of killed boys 'disgusted' by Norris goal celebration". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
13. ^ "Footballer killed boys in crash". BBC News. 6 October 2008. Archived from the original on 9 October 2008. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
14. ^ "Club fines 'handcuff' footballer". BBC News. 10 November 2008. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
15. ^ http://www.clubfanzine.com/ipswich_town/v2.showNews.php?id=15806. Retrieved 11 November 2008. `{{cite web}}`: Missing or empty `|title=` (help)[dead link‍]
16. ^ "clubfanzine.com". archive.is. 12 August 2014. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
17. ^ "Portsmouth agree deal for David Norris". BBC Sport. 15 June 2011. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010.
18. ^ "David Norris calm over Ipswich Town contract". BBC Sport. 15 October 2010. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010.
19. ^ "Leeds United: Whites chase Ipswich Town skipper". Yorkshire Evening Post. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
20. ^ "Portsmouth agree deal for Norris". BBC Sport. 15 June 2011. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010.
21. ^ "Middlesbrough 2–2 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. 6 August 2011.
22. ^ Neil Weld. "Westham4-Pompey 3". Boleyn Ground: Portsmouth official site. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010.
23. ^ "Pompey 2 Barnsley 0". Portsmouth official site. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010.
24. ^ "Portsmouth midfielder David Norris agrees Leeds United move". Archived from the original on 21 July 2010. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
25. ^ "New squad numbers announced". Leeds United F.C. 3 August 2012. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
26. ^ "Shrewsbury Live". Leeds United F.C. 11 August 2012. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
27. ^ "Becchio goal secures win against Wolves..." Leeds United F.C. 18 August 2012. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
28. ^ "Norris Injury Blow". Leeds United F.C. 7 September 2012. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
29. ^ "Midlefielder signs up in loan deal". Leeds United F.C. 13 September 2012. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
30. ^ "United Charlton". Leeds United F.C. 23 October 2012. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
31. ^ "United dispose of Huddersfield". Leeds United F.C. 1 December 2012. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
32. ^ "Leeds United work ethic pleases Brian McDermott". BBC Sport. 17 April 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
33. ^ "Diouf made available for transfer by Leeds United". Yorkshire Evening Post. 15 August 2013. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010.
34. ^ David Norris, Soccerbase, retrieved 19 July 2014
35. ^ "Sam's in for Blues Trip". Leeds United. 16 September 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
36. ^ "Blackburn: team named". Leeds United. 29 November 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
37. ^ "Mowatt back for Rovers?". Leeds United. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
38. ^ "Huddersfield: team news". Leeds United. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
39. ^ "UNITED EDGED OUT AT BRADFORD". Sky Sports. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
40. ^ "Leeds United: Norris leaves Whites by mutual consent". Yorkshire Evening Post. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
41. ^ "David Norris: Yeovil Town sign former Plymouth and Leeds player". BBC Sport. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
42. ^ "David Norris departs Huish Park". Yeovil Town F.C. 1 September 2015. Archived from the original on 9 September 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
43. ^ "David Norris: Former Yeovil midfielder joins Blackpool". BBC Sport. 3 September 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
44. ^ "Blackpool 5-0 Scunthorpe". BBC. 16 January 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
45. ^ "Former Hull City midfielder joins the Tanners". Archived from the original on 1 October 2016. Retrieved 30 September 2016.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
46. ^ "Manchester United's Class of '92 turn to former Plymouth Argyle player of the year in promotion push | Plymouth Herald". Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
47. ^ "Experienced Former Leeds Midfielder Joins Shaw Lane". 21 August 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
48. ^ ""It's got a place in my heart!" David Norris delighted to be back at Boston United, but he thought the chance had gone". bostonstandard.co.uk. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
49. ^ "Norris Not Picked for Ireland". Plymouth Argyle F.C. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010. Retrieved 17 December 2007.
50. ^ a b "Games played by David Norris in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
51. ^ a b "Games played by David Norris in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
52. ^ "Games played by David Norris in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
53. ^ "Games played by David Norris in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
54. ^ "Games played by David Norris in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
55. ^ "Games played by David Norris in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
56. ^ "Games played by David Norris in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
57. ^ a b "Games played by David Norris in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
58. ^ "Games played by David Norris in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
59. ^ "Games played by David Norris in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
60. ^ "Games played by David Norris in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
61. ^ "Games played by David Norris in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
62. ^ "Games played by David Norris in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
63. ^ "Games played by David Norris in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
64. ^ a b "Games played by David Norris in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
65. ^ a b "Games played by David Norris in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 May 2020.

## External links

[edit]

* David Norris at Soccerbase

* v
* t
* e

Plymouth Argyle F.C. - Player of the Year

* 1966: Newman
* 1967: Piper
* 1968: Dunne
* 1969: Burnside
* 1970: Rickard
* 1971: Furnell
* 1972: Provan
* 1973: Hague
* 1974: Machin
* 1975: Mariner
* 1976: Mariner
* 1977: Ramsbottom
* 1978: Foster
* 1979: Binney
* 1980: Foster
* 1981: Kemp
* 1982: Sims
* 1983: Nisbet
* 1984: Staniforth
* 1985: Tynan
* 1986: Hodges
* 1987: Tynan
* 1988: Cherry
* 1989: Tynan
* 1990: Marker
* 1991: Brown
* 1992: Marshall
* 1993: McCall
* 1994: McCall
* 1995: Edworthy
* 1996: Heathcote
* 1997: Billy
* 1998: Barlow & Corazzin
* 1999: Heathcote
* 2000: McGregor
* 2001: O'Sullivan
* 2002: Coughlan
* 2003: Wotton
* 2004: Evans
* 2005: Wotton
* 2006: Norris
* 2007: Nalis
* 2008: Tímár
* 2009: Larrieu
* 2010: Fletcher
* 2011: Fletcher
* 2012: Blanchard
* 2013: Bhasera
* 2014: Reid
* 2015: McCormick
* 2016: Carey
* 2017: Bradley
* 2018: Carey
* 2019: Lameiras
* 2020: Sarcevic
* 2021: Edwards
* 2022: Cooper
* 2023: Cooper
* 2024: Whittaker

*[Apps]: League appearances
*[Gls]: League goals
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template