David Norris explains difference between Portsmouth and non-league after Brett Pitman move
David Norris has explained the key differences between playing for Portsmouth, other EFL clubs and non-league sides.
This comes after fellow ex-Pompey man Brett Pitman’s latest venture in the deeper levels of the English pyramid, signing for local club Baffins Milton Rovers.
Pitman proved prolific in his recent stints at AFC Portchester and Shaftesbury, with Norris – seven years his senior – having also extended his career by dropping into the non-league game, retiring with Lancaster City last summer at the age of 43.
“I’d start by saying there is a lot of talent at non-league level, especially the higher reaches of it – I remember at Lancaster seeing a couple of lads I thought should be in the professional game,” Norris exclusively told Pompey News.
“But there is definitely a drop – the biggest reason for me is teams not being able to train every day, improve that bit more as individuals and collectives and for me towards the end of my career, I never felt quite as sharp as I would have if I’d been on the grass every day.
“It will be the same for Brett as it was for me, you always carry that nous from the higher levels. I’d always have players trying to bring me down a peg, steam into me early doors, things like that. Players do have a certain hunger in non-league, and it’s important they don’t get disillusioned if they’re trying to make it at a higher level.”
Portsmouth heroes playing for the love
In an era of players truncating their careers early – some while they’re still at the top and others due to fitness or purely falling out of love with the game – Norris and Pitman are endearing examples of players carrying on as long as possible for their passion for football.
Whilst Norris played for Portsmouth for a single season, the midfielder has always made it clear he had plans to continue as long as possible at Fratton Park had it not been for the financial chaos which nearly forced the club into liquidation back in 2012.
For Pitman, he represented Pompey for three seasons in League One between 2017 and 2020, and particularly in his first season really warmed the hearts of the Fratton faithful with 24 goals in 38 Championship appearances.
A loan spell at Eastleigh from Bristol Rovers in 2021-22 turned out to be the start of a ruthless spell in front of goal for Pitman, who went on to score 44 in 38 for Portchester and then a whopping 56 in 38 for Shaftesbury.
The veteran is now considered the most major coup of a signing in the history of Baffins – who play in the heart of Portsmouth.
In other Portsmouth news, an update on Matt Ritchie’s potential next club.
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