Paul Beesley

Paul Beesley (born 21 July 1965) is an English former footballer who played primarily as a centre back.

Beesley began his career at Wigan Athletic in September 1984, before he was sold to Leyton Orient for £175,000 in October 1989. He joined Sheffield United for £300,000 in July 1990 and was voted Player of the Year at the Premier League club in 1993. He was sold to Leeds United in August 1995 for a £250,000 fee before moving on to Manchester City in February 1997 for £500,000. He had brief loan spells at Port Vale and West Bromwich Albion before he was allowed to join Port Vale permanently in July 1999. He joined Chester City in the Conference in July 2000. He was voted the club's Player of the Season before he signed with Stalybridge Celtic in October 2001. He later finished his career in Northern Ireland with Ballymena United. He later coached at Notts County and Leeds United.

Career

Wigan Athletic and Leyton Orient Beesley joined Wigan Athletic in September 1984, where he would spend five seasons playing in the then Third Division. He played 185 games in all competitions in five years at Springfield Park,

Leeds United It came as some surprise when Beesley was sold to Leeds United in August 1995 for a £250,000 fee. He was used mainly as a back-up player by manager Howard Wilkinson during his time at Elland Road, starting just 19 top-flight games in close to two seasons at the club. after his organizational skills helped Chester to boast the lowest goals conceded tally in the Conference. In 2012 he was appointed as the kit man at Ipswich Town by manager Paul Jewell, before departing the role in July 2015.

Personal life Beesley's son, Jake, is also a footballer and turned professional at Chesterfield in April 2015.

Career statistics

Honours Individual Sheffield United F.C. Player of the Year: 1993 Chester City F.C. Player of the Season: 2000–01