Paul is the elder of two Atherton boys to represent Ladybridge Football Club in its early years, having originally played for Dutch side Marvilde during a two-year stint in Holland. But where is he now? Ladybridge.net caught up with him to find out.
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| Paul now works for BBC Sport |
What dates did you play for Ladybridge and in what position?
I played for three seasons, from 1991/92 - 1993/94.
The club had only recently been formed and there was no team for my age group, so I played in the age group above mine.
I mostly played up front, and occasionally on the right wing due to my exceptional pace.
What is your best memory of playing for the club?
Returning to Holland, where I used to live, to play against my old football club Marvilde in 1992.
I was disappointed when my manager Steve Hill dropped me to the bench for the game against my former team - but I bit my tongue. Ten minutes into the second half with Ladybridge 1-0 down, I got the nod.
I ran on, and with my first touch took the ball around the keeper and slotted home the equaliser. Maybe Steve knew what he was doing after all!
And the worst?
Being dropped against Marvilde!
So what have you been up to since leaving the club?
I left Ladybridge when I was 14 to play for another club that had a team in my age group. Since then I’ve left school, been to university to study English and Online Journalism.
And where are you now?
Five years ago I moved to London and now I work for Match of the Day, Football Focus and Final Score, working on the programmes and running their websites.
The job has taken me to grounds all over the country, a couple of FA Cup finals, Euro 2004 in Portugal and recently the World Cup in Germany.
What was that like?
Working on the World Cup was a fantastic experience – every football fan’s dream. It doesn’t get much better than being paid to watch 64 games of football over four weeks.
I also got to go to the opening ceremony and match between Germany and Costa Rica, USA v Ghana in the group stages and the France v Portugal semi-final.
I travelled to that game in the back of a blacked-out people carrier with Leonardo, Marcel Desailly and Adrian Chiles!!!
And do you still find time for a game of football in your hectic schedule?
Yes, I play 5-a-side regularly with my BBC colleagues and occasionally 11-a-side when we can get enough people. We also managed to squeeze in a couple of 5-a-side matches in Germany during the World Cup. I’ve still got it.
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