Oliver Norburn

Playing career

He played as a youth team player with Chelsea before moving to Leicester City, where he graduated through to the professional ranks in 2011. He joined Bristol Rovers on a month-long loan deal in late September 2011, later extended to three months, where he played alongside fellow on-loan Leicester teammate Cian Bolger.

He made his debut in senior football on 14 October 2011, when he was an 86th-minute substitute for Bristol Rovers in a 5–2 victory over Rotherham United. By the end of December, Norburn return to Leicester City after his loan-spell at Bristol Rovers finish and spend the rest of the season staying at Leicester City. On 3 July, Sky Sports understands that Norburn has signed for Bristol Rovers on a permanent basis and agreed to sign a one-year deal with the option for a further 12 months with the club. On the opening game of the season, Norburn made his debut in a 2–0 loss against Oxford United and two months later, he scored his first goal in a 3–1 win over Northampton Town. His second goal came on 5 February 2013, in a 1–1 draw against Cheltenham Town and his third was followed up a month later, in a 2–1 win over Exeter City. Having quickly established himself as a key player for the club, Sky Sports understands that Norburn had attracted interests from a host of club's. At the end of the 2012–13 season, Norburn was offered a new contract by the club, which he signed a one-year contract extension on 24 June 2013.

In 2013–14 season, Norburn had his first team opportunities limited, making sixteen appearance and spent majority on the bench. On 04/04/2014, he left Bristol Rovers by mutual consent. First team manager Darrell Clarke said of Norburn leaving: "Ollie has left the club, and that was mutually agreed. For whatever reason it has not gone well for Ollie this season. Ollie has a chance now to try and earn himself a contract at another club, and we wish him well and thank him for his efforts.”

On 23 July 2014, Norburn signed for Plymouth Argyle as a free agent on a one-year deal. After being named in the starting line-up for the 0–0 pre-season draw against Torquay United – alongside Norburn – Teammate Peter Hartley revealed that the midfielder's qualities have shone in training, and it's positively affecting the entire squad. “Ollie is technically a very good player,” said Hartley. “You could see that from the moment he stepped on the training field. “He likes to handle the ball, and he is more than capable of taking the ball under pressure. It brings the confidence out in the rest of the team, and helps us believe in playing the way we want to play. “It is great to have Ollie on board. He is a cracking lad as well as a good player, and only 21, so I think there will be a lot more to come from him.”

Norburn was released by Plymouth at the end of the 2014–15 season having failed to establish himself in the first team. He started training with Guiseley A.F.C. in late 2015 and then signed for the club after impressing manager Mark Bower in the sessions. On 27 February 2016 Norburn scored a controversial goal for Guiseley in a National League match against Braintree Town F.C., after Braintree Town had put the ball out for a player to receive treatment. The goal stood and Guiseley drew the game 1–1. He scored his first goal for Tranmere Rovers in a 3-1 win against Woking on Matchday 2 of the Vanarama National League.

Career statistics