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

Aston Villa Aston Villa Football Club is a professional football club based in Aston, Birmingham, England. The club competes in the , the top tier of the English football league system. Founded in 1874, they have played at their home ground, Villa Park ...

, 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 English Football League (EFL) is a league of professional football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888 as the Football League, the league is the oldest such competition in the world. It was the top-level football league in Engla ...

the following year and he retired soon afterwards due to injury. 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

. 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

youth team before later playing for Exmouth Town and later becoming an accountant.

References

External links

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David Norton's Bio
at Aston Villa Player Database {{DEFAULTSORT:Norton, Dave 1965 births Living people Sportspeople from Cannock English men's footballers Men's association football midfielders Aston Villa F.C. players Notts County F.C. players Rochdale A.F.C. players Hull City A.F.C. players Northampton Town F.C. players Hereford United F.C. players Cheltenham Town F.C. players Yeovil Town F.C. players Forest Green Rovers F.C. players Tamworth F.C. players Gainsborough Trinity F.C. players English football managers Forest Green Rovers F.C. managers Gainsborough Trinity F.C. managers Grantham Town F.C. managers Tamworth F.C. non-playing staff Footballers from Staffordshire