*Indicates unconfirmed information. Figures in brackets after English team names indicate all appearances made and goals scored in competitive matches for Football League clubs from 1888 onwards. For Scottish League clubs the figures show details of all competitive appearances and goals scored from 1946/47 onwards.
Paul McMenemy
Appearances: 31+1 Goals: 6
Date / Year of birth: 5th November 1966
Position: Striker / Midfielder
Season of first appearance: 1989/90
Season of last appearance: 1989/90
Also played for: West Ham United (0), Aldershot (10,5), Northampton Town (4,2) and Bromley
England Schoolboy international who started his career with West Ham, joining the club as a junior aged 12. Paul later became an apprentice before signing professional forms on his 18th birthday in November 1984.
He progressed through the Hammers' youth sides into the reserves and in March 1986 Paul joined Aldershot on loan. He made his Football League debut there and went on to score five times in ten games before returning to Upton Park. In January 1987 Paul went out on loan again, this time to Northampton, and he scored twice on his debut for the Cobblers.
Despite scoring 35 goals for West Ham's reserves during 1986/87 Paul was never given a chance in the first team. Although he still had a year left on his contract Paul decided to leave the Hammers in the summer of 1987 and he then followed some of his friends into a career in the financial markets in London.
Paul joined Bromley for the start of the 1987/88 season and was their leading scorer for 1988/89.
In the summer of 1989 Paul signed for Margate, following Bromley manager Trevor Ford to Hartsdown Park. He missed the pre-season friendlies as he was on his honeymoon but returned in time to make his debut on 18.8.89 when he came on as a substitute in a 0-0 home draw with Yate, the first game of the 1989/90 campaign. On 22.8.89 Paul started a match for the first time and scored both goals as Margate drew 2-2 at Erith & Belvedere. He was a fixture in the side from then on and was usually deployed as an attacking midfielder, although he had a few outings as a striker. He showed good form early in the season and the Isle of Thanet Gazette praised his "powerful display" in midfield during a 1-0 win over Corinthian on 12.9.89.
On 16.9.89 Paul scored the only goal of the game in an FA Cup tie at Egham and the Thanet Times said it was "a superb individual effort". He cut inside after being forced wide and fired home a low drive. Paul went on to score three further goals in the months that followed, the best of them with what the Thanet Times called "a tremendous drive from 20 yards" in a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Salisbury on 9.12.89. By the end of the month Paul had left the club, departing after a 1-1 draw with Canterbury at Hartsdown on Boxing Day due to finding the travelling to Margate too much. He'd made 32 appearances (one as sub) and scored six goals.
Paul rejoined Bromley for the remainder of 1989/90, finding the net in the first game of his return, and he went on to be the club's leading marksman for the 1990/91 season, scoring 17 goals. He stayed at Bromley until the end of the 1992/93 campaign when he retired aged only 26 to spend more time with his expanding family.
In later years Paul played for Corinthian Veterans and was still turning out for them during 2006, along with his former Margate colleagues Brian Frampton and Ian Young. By then Paul had four children and still worked in the City. He had gained a Level 2 coaching badge and was managing Corinthian Under-13's.
Paul said "I really enjoyed my short spell at Margate" and also felt that he had retired "too early in hindsight !"
He was the nephew of famous manager Lawrie McMenemy and during his time with Margate Paul lived in Orpington.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
||
|
1989/90 (MFC) |
31 (59) |
1 |
6 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE SOUTHERN DIV. (16TH OF 22) |
2QR |
2QR |
3R |
1R |