He turned professional with the club, but his only first-team appearance came on 16 November 1993, as a substitute in the Anglo-Italian Cup against Ancona.
[5] He made his Stockport and Football League debut on 28 February 1995, at the age of 19, as a substitute in a 4–0 defeat at Oxford United in the Second Division, and played in 12 of the remaining 14 matches in the 1994–95 season.
He settled well at Darlington, where he spent four years, and played at least 40 matches in each season in all competitions.
[8] His last game for the club was in the 2000 Third Division play-off final defeat to Peterborough United.
[13] After leaving Rochdale, Oliver moved into non-league football with Barrow of the Northern Premier League, and went on to play for clubs including Spennymoor United,[14] Thornaby, Bishop Auckland,[15] Newcastle Blue Star,[16] Gateshead,[17] and Durham City.