A local lad, Paul would fulfil his childhood dream of pulling on a Newcastle United senior shirt in anger in 1995 in a league cup win against Bristol City. That would be his only start for the club, although he did come on as a substitute two years later in another league cup game against Hull, again a win.

In a career pushing 20 years, Paul would have moderate success playing at a reasonable level with Reading, Cardiff and Cheltenham Town, before playing for a host of non-league sides, mostly back in his native North East.

Paul can also post an England national C team appearance, gained whilst playing for York City.