David Norman (soccer)


David McDonald Norman Jr. is a former long-time Canadian soccer player as a defensive midfielder.

Club career

Scotland-born Norman grew up playing soccer in Coquitlam, British Columbia and went on to play 17 years as a professional.
Norman began his pro career with the Vancouver Whitecaps of the North American Soccer League from 1981 to 1984, scoring three goals. During the winter months between 1980 and 1982, he played for University College Dublin A.F.C., in the League of Ireland, making 45 appearances and scoring 8 goals. Along with three Canadian teammates he was released in February 1982. Norman played one season of indoor soccer for the Whitecaps in 1983–84. He also played for the Tacoma Stars of the original Major Indoor Soccer League, and for the Winnipeg Fury, Calgary Kickers, Calgary Strikers, Edmonton Brickmen and Vancouver 86ers.

International career

He made his debut for Canada in a December 1983 friendly match against Honduras and earned 51 caps, scoring 1 goal. He played all three of the country's 1986 World Cup games. Norman also played for the Canadians at the 1984 Olympics. Norman, together with three other Canadian players, Igor Vrablic, Hector Marinaro and Chris Chueden, was involved in a match fixing betting scandal at the Merlion Cup tournament in Singapore two months after the World Cup.

International goals

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1June 2, 1985Dongdaemun Stadium, Seoul, South Korea2-1President's Cup

After playing

Norman has coached for Coquitlam MFSC since 1989 as well coaching with the Whitecaps Prospects programs. Norman is also the soccer colour commentator on in Vancouver for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Major League Soccer radio broadcasts. He is the father of another pro-footballer, David Norman Jr.