Thanks to Dave Rowntree for many of the player images after 1984.
Can you help? This page is the result of the best endeavours of all concerned. If you spot a mistake or know of facts to add, or have a better photo, please get in touch using 'Contact Us' (top, right).
Back to GoS-DB Hub Find Another Player
OLLIE NORBURN
Full Name: Oliver Lewis Norburn
Born: 26 October 1992
Came from: Bristol Rovers Went to: Released
First game: 09 August 2014 Last game: 02 May 2015
Appearances: 19 (10/9) Goals: 0
Norburn became John Sheridan's eighth summer signing of 2014, shortly after Argyle's pre-season friendlies had begun. Having impressed in trial performances in the first two games, against Tavistock and Weymouth, the midfielder was offered a one year contract at Home Park.
Born in Bolton, Norburn was originally on Chelsea's books but moved to Leicester City's academy and progressed to earn a professional contract in 2011. In September 2011 he began a three-month loan with Bristol Rovers, where he made his Football League debut in October 2011 and five senior appearances in all. At the end of the 2011-12 season he left Leicester to return to the Memorial Ground, this time on a one-year deal. His contract was extended for a second year the following summer, accumulating 59 appearances and scoring four goals before leaving the club by mutual consent in April 2014, shortly before Rovers' relegation from the Football League.
Despite being praised for his abilities early on, Norburn enjoyed few prolonged spells in the first team, and by the new year, fell out of favour. At the end of the 2014-15 season, manager John Sheridan chose not to renew his contract and he left the club.
In November 2015 Norburn signed for Leeds-based National League newcomers, Guiseley. Three months later he scored a highly controversial goal for Guiseley in a National League match against Braintree Town. After Braintree had put the ball out for a player to receive treatment, his over-hit back-pass to the opposition goalkeeper flew in (reminiscent of the goal Luke McCormick famously conceded at Yeovil in the League Cup in Aug 2004). The goal stood and Guiseley drew the game 1–1.
In all he appeared 20 times and scored three goals for Guiseley before moving in the summer of 2016 to National League rivals Macclesfield Town, where he teamed up with ex-Argyle player Luke Summerfield (at Moss Rose on loan from Grimsby Town). Norburn scored in both legs of the 2017 FA Trophy semi-final to send Macclesfield through to Wembley, where he scored a superb strike in a 3-2 defeat by York City.
Norburn then had a spell with Tranmere Rovers in 2017-18, helping them regain their Football League status by playing 46 games and scoring 4 goals. He then moved to League One Shrewsbury Town for the 2018-19 season.
YOUR CONTRIBUTION
If you can add to this profile, perhaps with special memories, a favourite story or the results of your original research, please contribute here.
APPEARANCE DETAILS [reselect competitions]
The details below reflect appearances in all first-team competitions.
I'm very grateful to many who have helped write GoS-DB's player pen-pictures, and to Dave Rowntree, the PAFC Media Team and Colin Parsons for their help with photos. Thanks also to staff at the National Football Museum, the Scottish Football Museum and ScotlandsPeople for their valuable assistance.
The following publications have been particularly valuable in the research of pen-pictures: Plymouth Argyle, A Complete Record 1903-1989 (Brian Knight, ISBN 0-907969-40-2); Plymouth Argyle, 101 Golden Greats (Andy Riddle, ISBN 1-874287-47-3); Football League Players' Records 1888-1939 (Michael Joyce, ISBN 1-899468-67-6); Football League Players' Records 1946-1988 (Barry Hugman, ISBN 1-85443-020-3) and Plymouth Argyle Football Club Handbooks.
Greens on Screen is run as a service to fellow supporters, in all good faith, without commercial or private gain. I have no wish to abuse copyright regulations and apologise unreservedly if this occurs. If you own any of the material used on this site, and object to its inclusion, please get in touch using the 'Contact Us' button at the top of each page.