*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 Sawyer
Appearances: 117 Goals: 8
Date / Year of birth: 21st January 1966
Position: Centre-back
Season of first appearance: 1989/90
Season of last appearance: 1992/93
Also played for: Arsenal (0), Welling United, Bromley, Dartford and Boreham Wood
6' 1" tall cultured defender born in Dartford who was on Arsenal's books as a schoolboy and played for the England Schoolboys side.
Paul began his senior career with Welling United and made his first team debut during the 1981/82 season aged 16. He went on to make over 360 appearances for the club before joining Bromley on loan in November 1988. After a short spell back at Welling Paul made the move to Bromley permanent early in 1989.
In the summer of 1989 Paul was one of the many Bromley players to follow manager Trevor Ford to Margate and his older brother Andy made the move with him. Paul immediately became club captain and made his debut on 15.8.89 as Margate beat Ramsgate 3-1 at Hartsdown Park in the annual Gazette Cup game. Paul went on to become a fixture in the heart of the Margate defence throughout the 1989/90 season and he only missed one match. The local press were very impressed by Paul's performances and described him as being "dominant", "resolute" and "outstanding" on numerous occasions. The Isle of Thanet Gazette called him a "stalwart" and "defensive kingpin". The same paper said that Paul "marshalled his men superbly" in a 0-0 draw at Burnham on 13.2.90 whilst the Thanet Times praised Paul's "many timely interceptions" during a 1-0 defeat at Folkestone on 14.4.90. The Times also said he "reigned supreme" as Margate beat Trowbridge 2-1 at Hartsdown on 28.4.90. Paul ended the campaign having made 58 appearances and he scored three goals. He won the 'Players Player of the Year' award for the season.
Paul started the 1990/91 campaign in fine style by scoring in a 2-2 draw at Witney on 18.8.90 - the opening day of the season. He then played once more before missing four games in late August / early September 1990 due to getting married and going on honeymoon. After his return Paul was virtually ever-present in the number five shirt for the rest of the season. The Thanet Times said that he was "outstanding" in a 3-0 win at Sudbury on 6.10.90 and on 16.10.90 Paul scored two late headed goals to secure a 2-2 draw in a Southern League Cup tie at Erith & Belvedere. Margate had been 2-0 down before he intervened. The Times said that Paul was "dominant" in an FA Trophy tie against his old club Bromley at Hartsdown on 20.10.90 that Margate won 2-1 and reported that he effectively marked his former Margate team-mate Paul McMenemy out of the game. Paul's good form continued even when he played a few games at right-back early in 1991 and after a 2-1 home win over Fareham on 2.3.91 the Times wrote that he was "probably playing as well now as at any time in his career at Margate". The Isle of Thanet Gazette said that Paul "superbly marshalled" the defence in a 1-0 defeat against Baldock at Hartsdown on 9.4.91 and he then scored in Margate's next two games - a 2-1 defeat at Andover on 13.4.91 and a 1-0 win at Gosport on 20.4.91. He played twice more before missing Margate's final two matches having decided to leave the club to join Dartford for the 1991/92 campaign. His 47 appearances for Margate had taken him past 100 in total for the club and Paul scored five goals during the season. He again won the 'Players Player of the Year' award.
Paul's move to Dartford became official in August 1991 and Margate received £2,000 for his services. He became the Darts captain and won their 'Player of the Year' award for 1991/92.
When Dartford went out of business a few weeks into the 1992/93 season Paul rejoined Margate and manager Mark Weatherly told the Thanet Extra "Paul's a good, solid defender and his experience in the game will be invaluable for Margate. We are glad to welcome him back". Paul made his first appearance in a 1-0 defeat at Fareham on 3.10.92 and kept his place at centre-back for Margate's next 11 games. The Thanet Times reported that he was "outstanding in the heart of the rearguard" in a 0-0 home draw with Sudbury on 10.10.92 but after playing in a 4-1 win at Ashford on 17.11.92 Paul picked up an injury that finished his Margate career. After weeks on the sidelines he was released in January 1993 as he was facing an operation that would keep him out for the rest of the season.
After regaining his fitness Paul joined Boreham Wood for the start of the 1993/94 campaign and became their captain before rejoining Dartford in March 1994.
He went on to play over 300 games for the Darts and despite officially retiring in 2001 he still turned out when needed up to and including the 2003/04 season. By then Paul was Dartford's coach.
He later became assistant manager, a role he still filled at the start of the 2012/13 campaign - the Darts first back in the Conference. During that season Paul's son Ryan was part of Dartford's squad.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
||
|
1989/90 (MFC) |
58 (59) |
0 |
3 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE SOUTHERN DIV. (16TH OF 22) |
2QR |
2QR |
3R |
1R |
|
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
||
|
1990/91 (MFC) |
47 (54) |
0 |
5 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE SOUTHERN DIV. (10TH OF 21) |
3QR |
3QR |
2R |
1R |
|
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
| |
|
1992/93 (MFC) |
12 (53) |
0 |
0 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE SOUTHERN DIV. (10TH OF 22) |
2QR |
2QR |
1R |
1R |