| Born in Liverpool on July 21st 1965, Paul Beesley was a solid,
no-nonsense central defender who started his career in non-league
football before plying his trade for several seasons in Division Three
with Wigan Athletic and Leyton Orient. He finally got his break in the
top-flight when he signed for newly-promoted Sheffield United in 1990,
before moving on to Leeds United in 1995 for two seasons. It was from
there that Manchester City manager Frank Clark decided to part with
£500, 000 to obtain his services once again, having been his manager at
Leyton Orient, with the 31-year old arriving at Maine Road as vital
experience was needed in a side that was in danger of relegation to the
third-tier of English football.
He made his debut as a
replacement for the injured Alan Kernaghan on February 8th 1997 in a
welcome 3-0 home defeat of Southend United, the team then going on a run
of three wins in four games before a 2-0 loss at Birmingham City in
mid-March ended Paul's season as he was sidelined with damaged ankle
ligaments after only 6 appearances. With the upturn in form the club
harboured outside hopes of a late push for a play-off spot, but it was
not to be as they eventually finished in fourteenth place, with Beesley
eagerly awaiting the start of the following season and a return to full
fitness.
The 1997/98 campaign opened with the visit of
Portsmouth to Maine Road, but Paul's contribution only lasted until
half-time as he once again suffered a recurrence of his old injury in a
2-2 draw. He returned two weeks later in a 1-1 home draw with Tranmere
Rovers but was struggling to overcome the injury and he was to miss the
following five games. He came back at the end of September for a 6-0
home thrashing of Swindon Town but a 1-0 defeat at Ipswich Town a week
later saw him lose his place in the side. Although the team were
struggling badly in the league Beesley was unable to regain his spot,
and he was eventually allowed to go out on loan to Port Vale and West
Bromwich Albion. He returned to the club in February, making three
substitute appearances, but with Joe Royle having since taken over from
Clark as manager it was clear Paul did not figure in his plans, and at
the end of the season he moved back to Port Vale on a free transfer as
City were relegated to Division Two. In his eighteen months with the
club he had only made 13 appearances (including 3 as substitute), and
although he was in the latter stages of his career he was probably
unlucky to be signed when the club had reached the lowest point in it's
history.
Beesley later played for Blackpool and Chester
City, where he was also assistant manager, before calling time on his
career in 2006 at the age of 41 when he was with non-league Stalybridge
Celtic. After hanging up his boots he remained in the game and went on
to take up the role of kit-man at both Notts County and Stockport
County. (David Redshaw)
1984–1989 Wigan Athletic 155 (3)
1989–1990 Leyton Orient 32 (1)
1990–1995 Sheffield United 168 (7)
1995–1997 Leeds United 22 (0)
1997–1998 Manchester City 13 (0)
1997–1998 Port Vale (loan) 5 (0)
1998 West Bromwich Albion (loan) 8 (0)
1998–1999 Port Vale 35 (3)
1999–2000 Blackpool 18 (0)
2000–2001 Chester City 31 (0)
2001–2002 Stalybridge Celtic 26 (0)
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