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As the first-ever black player for a club who at the time attracted a
large number of unwanted hardcore racists amongst it's following, 'King'
Canoville had to display immense strength of character and dignity to
win over a large section of his own so-called supporters who abused him
regularly in the months following his debut. Obviously low on
confidence, it took some very public support from Ken Bates to give the
skilful left-winger the boost he needed and his three goals in the
spring of 1983 proved crucial as Chelsea narrowly avoided relegation to
Division Three, finishing just two points out of the bottom three after
remaining unbeaten in the last four games of the season. Selected ahead
of Pat Nevin and Peter Rhoades-Brown as the new season began, Canoville
appeared to have found the elusive consistency that he had previously
lacked and in December he struck a hat-trick as Swansea were thrashed
6-1 at The Bridge.
However, when both player and club suffered a
mid-season dip in form, the experienced Mickey Thomas was recruited and
his classy displays over the next eighteen months ensured that Canoville
reverted to being little more than a squad player for the remainder of
his Chelsea career, being used most effectively when he appeared as a
substitute. It was in this role that his career highlight was achieved
when he came on at half-time in a Milk Cup quarter-final at Sheffield
Wednesday with The Blues three goals down. Paul scored twice, his first
after just eleven seconds, as Chelsea salvaged a draw. It was, however,
frustratingly typical after such an inspired performance that he should
miss an open goal in the replay! After a dreadful final season when he
started just five matches, Canoville joined Reading for £50,000 in
August 1986 where his career was effectively ended by an injury suffered
later that same year. (Kelvin Barker).
After retiring he beat crack cocaine addiction and cancer, and penned an award-winning autobiography in 2008.
1979–1981 Hillingdon Borough
1981–1986 Chelsea 79 (11)
1986–1987 Reading 16 (4)
1988–19?? Enfield
19??–19?? Maidenhead United
19??–19?? Burnham
1992–1993 Northwood 10 (0)
19??–19?? Egham Town
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