Paul was one of only a handful of modern footballers to play for both Newcastle and Sunderland. Indeed he had three spells with the Black Cats with spells at first Everton and United sandwiched in-between. At the Magpies he was part of those early heady days of the Keegan tenure, gaining promotion from then Division One to the Premier League. He stayed with the Magpies for three seasons and was a regular in the starting lineup during his time at the club.