James Norwood
Encyclopedia
James Norwood is an English
professional footballer who is currently with Forest Green Rovers
following his release by Exeter City
in May 2011. He plays as a striker.
He started his career with Eastbourne Town
, making eight senior appearances before signing for Exeter City in July 2009. Norwood also represented England Schools in 2009, making his debut on 5 March against Wales in the Carnegie Centenary Shield. He scored his first goal against France on 13 June 2009.
and Crystal Palace
youth teams. He later represented, Eastbourne Town
youth, St Bede's School
and England Schools as a youth player in the 2008–09
season. Later in that same season, he played for Eastbourne Town's senior side despite still being at school, making eighteen appearances for the Isthmian League Division One South club.
In April 2009, he won the English Schools FA Trophy with St Bedes. He made his debut for England Schools on 5 March, against Wales in the Carnegie Centenary Shield. In June 2009, Norwood represented England Schools again in their 4–2 defeat against France at Wembley Stadium
.
during their 2009–10
pre-season campaign along with nine other players. Following the successful trial, he signed for the club on 25 July 2009. His move was helped with funding from a branch of the Exeter City Supporters' Trust called the "19/31 Fund", which was created with the intention of signing players. Members of the fund each pay £
19 per month towards his wages. Norwood made his debut in Exeter City's 2–1 defeat away to Leeds United
in League One
on 8 August, the opening day of the 2009–10 season. He replaced Marcus Stewart
as a substitute in the 70th minute. Exeter manager Paul Tisdale
commented on his debut saying; "It's remarkable that James should be on the field after only joining us a few weeks ago. He put in a really good 20 minutes and he showed some real touches of know-how, there's a bright future for him." Norwood joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Sutton United
on a one-month loan deal starting on 21 November 2009, which was extended into January 2010 for another month. Norwood scored his first goal for Sutton on 12 December 2009 against Kingstonian
.
In August 2010, he joined Conference National
side Forest Green Rovers
on a one-month loan deal. Norwood impressed in his first month with Forest Green and the loan deal was extended for a further period. He scored his first goal for Forest Green in a 4-3 loss against Eastbourne Borough
. Norwood returned to Exeter in October.
On 31 December 2010 he joined Eastbourne Borough
on loan. He made his debut for the club the next day, playing the entire match against Crawley Town.
In May 2011 Exeter announced that he would not be offered a new deal at the end of the season.
Norwood announced on Twitter
in June 2011 that he would be returning to Forest Green Rovers on a permanent deal. His comments on Twitter were confirmed a few days later when he signed permanently for Forest Green.
In October 2011, Norwood had surgery on his hernia which ruled him out of action for a month. Norwood returned from his injury as a second half substitute on 26 November 2011 against York City
and scored a last minute equaliser to earn Forest Green a draw.
in Hailsham
, who he represented playing football and rugby
. He was captain of his school football side and also won a national under-12 rugby title with St Bede's in 2003.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer who is currently with Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green Rovers F.C.
Forest Green Rovers Football Club is an English football club based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, currently the longest-serving members of the Conference National. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.-Early years:...
following his release by Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
in May 2011. He plays as a striker.
He started his career with Eastbourne Town
Eastbourne Town F.C.
Eastbourne Town F.C. are an English football club based in Eastbourne, East Sussex. The club was founded in 1881 as Devonshire Park FC and they claim to be the oldest senior football club in Sussex. Eastbourne Town FC play at The Saffrons in central Eastbourne, considered to be one of the most...
, making eight senior appearances before signing for Exeter City in July 2009. Norwood also represented England Schools in 2009, making his debut on 5 March against Wales in the Carnegie Centenary Shield. He scored his first goal against France on 13 June 2009.
Early career
Norwood played for Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
and Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
youth teams. He later represented, Eastbourne Town
Eastbourne Town F.C.
Eastbourne Town F.C. are an English football club based in Eastbourne, East Sussex. The club was founded in 1881 as Devonshire Park FC and they claim to be the oldest senior football club in Sussex. Eastbourne Town FC play at The Saffrons in central Eastbourne, considered to be one of the most...
youth, St Bede's School
St Bede's School, Hailsham
St. Bede's Senior School is an independent, fee-paying secondary school in the rural village of Upper Dicker, near Hailsham, East Sussex, England, with a total of about 900 pupils, with 60% being boys and 40% being girls. Its grounds cover around of the local area. Founded in 1979, St Bede's has a...
and England Schools as a youth player in the 2008–09
2008–09 in English football
The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
season. Later in that same season, he played for Eastbourne Town's senior side despite still being at school, making eighteen appearances for the Isthmian League Division One South club.
In April 2009, he won the English Schools FA Trophy with St Bedes. He made his debut for England Schools on 5 March, against Wales in the Carnegie Centenary Shield. In June 2009, Norwood represented England Schools again in their 4–2 defeat against France at Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
.
Club career
John Yems handed Norwood trial with Exeter CityExeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
during their 2009–10
2009–10 in English football
The 2009–10 season was the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League One and League Two and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League...
pre-season campaign along with nine other players. Following the successful trial, he signed for the club on 25 July 2009. His move was helped with funding from a branch of the Exeter City Supporters' Trust called the "19/31 Fund", which was created with the intention of signing players. Members of the fund each pay £
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
19 per month towards his wages. Norwood made his debut in Exeter City's 2–1 defeat away to Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
in League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
on 8 August, the opening day of the 2009–10 season. He replaced Marcus Stewart
Marcus Stewart
William Marcus Paul Tubb) known as Marcus Stewart is an English former professional footballer who played as a forward from 1991 until 2011...
as a substitute in the 70th minute. Exeter manager Paul Tisdale
Paul Tisdale
Paul Robert Tisdale is a retired professional footballer. He is the current manager of Exeter City.-Southampton:...
commented on his debut saying; "It's remarkable that James should be on the field after only joining us a few weeks ago. He put in a really good 20 minutes and he showed some real touches of know-how, there's a bright future for him." Norwood joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Sutton United
Sutton United F.C.
Sutton United Football Club is an English football club currently playing in the Conference South. They are based in Sutton, London, and play their home games at the Borough Sports Ground in Gander Green Lane....
on a one-month loan deal starting on 21 November 2009, which was extended into January 2010 for another month. Norwood scored his first goal for Sutton on 12 December 2009 against Kingstonian
Kingstonian F.C.
Kingstonian Football Club are an English, semi-professional football club that are playing in the Isthmian League Premier Division for the 2011–12 season. The club has played at Kingsmeadow in Kingston upon Thames since 1989, after leaving their traditional Richmond Road ground...
.
In August 2010, he joined Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
side Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green Rovers F.C.
Forest Green Rovers Football Club is an English football club based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, currently the longest-serving members of the Conference National. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.-Early years:...
on a one-month loan deal. Norwood impressed in his first month with Forest Green and the loan deal was extended for a further period. He scored his first goal for Forest Green in a 4-3 loss against Eastbourne Borough
Eastbourne Borough F.C.
Eastbourne Borough are a semi-professional English football club, based in the town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, and are members of the Conference South. They are known as The Sports after their previous name as Langney Sports. Eastbourne Borough play their home matches at Priory Lane in Langney...
. Norwood returned to Exeter in October.
On 31 December 2010 he joined Eastbourne Borough
Eastbourne Borough F.C.
Eastbourne Borough are a semi-professional English football club, based in the town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, and are members of the Conference South. They are known as The Sports after their previous name as Langney Sports. Eastbourne Borough play their home matches at Priory Lane in Langney...
on loan. He made his debut for the club the next day, playing the entire match against Crawley Town.
In May 2011 Exeter announced that he would not be offered a new deal at the end of the season.
Norwood announced on Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
in June 2011 that he would be returning to Forest Green Rovers on a permanent deal. His comments on Twitter were confirmed a few days later when he signed permanently for Forest Green.
In October 2011, Norwood had surgery on his hernia which ruled him out of action for a month. Norwood returned from his injury as a second half substitute on 26 November 2011 against York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
and scored a last minute equaliser to earn Forest Green a draw.
Personal life
Norwood attended St Bede's SchoolSt Bede's School, Hailsham
St. Bede's Senior School is an independent, fee-paying secondary school in the rural village of Upper Dicker, near Hailsham, East Sussex, England, with a total of about 900 pupils, with 60% being boys and 40% being girls. Its grounds cover around of the local area. Founded in 1979, St Bede's has a...
in Hailsham
Hailsham
Hailsham is a civil parish and the largest of the five main towns in the Wealden district of East Sussex, England. Mentioned in the Domesday Book, the town of Hailsham has had a long history of industry and agriculture...
, who he represented playing football and rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
. He was captain of his school football side and also won a national under-12 rugby title with St Bede's in 2003.