Born in Wandsworth in 1932, Norman attended Sutton County Grammar School and went onto join Carshalton Athletic while still a teenager. He was recommended to the club in 1952 by his uncle, the pre-war right back Jack Fuller, and he was quickly promoted to the first team and soon attracted the attention of Spurs. Naturally left footed, he did not fulfil his early promise and only made a handful of appearances over two seasons at Plough Lane