Paul brings with him a lifetime of experience in football, both on and off the pitch. Having played at school and county level, his journey in the game has taken him through Manchester City junior teams, the Royal Air Force side, and into his 40s with Fishburn Park in the Teesside League.

His deep-rooted passion for football has always been matched by an equally strong commitment to developing and supporting clubs at every level.

Paul’s previous association with Fishburn Park spans nearly three decades, during which he held a wide range of key roles including Secretary, Treasurer, Chair of the Disciplinary Committee, Coach, Reserve Team Manager and Assistant First Team Manager. His time there was marked by notable success, including two County Cup victories and several other trophies, as well as a memorable North Riding Senior Cup tie against Whitby Town.

Beyond the touchline, Paul has made a lasting impact through his work in club development and administration. He played a leading role in securing a permanent home for Fishburn Park, successfully applied for FA and Sport England funding, and organised numerous fundraising initiatives. Under his guidance, the club grew significantly - from two senior men’s teams to a thriving setup including seven junior teams and a girls’ team. He also introduced key policies around conduct, inclusion, and safeguarding, ensuring full compliance with FA standards and helping to build a strong, sustainable club structure.

Paul’s contribution to football extends further through refereeing at junior level and his involvement in community initiatives, including helping to establish the inaugural Battle of Britain Trophy during his time at RAF Fylingdales. More recently, he has been managing and coaching Whitby Town Walking Football Club since 2021.

Professionally, Paul has an extensive background in administration, HR, and leadership. His experience ranges from serving as a Police Sergeant - where he managed staffing and operational deployment - to working as a Home Administrator in the care sector, overseeing HR, budgets, training, and external partnerships. He is highly skilled in modern office systems and brings a wealth of organisational expertise to the role.

In addition to his responsibilities as Club Secretary, Paul will also act as the main point of contact for our valued team of volunteers. He will oversee the coordination and organisation of matchday and club duties, working closely with volunteers to ensure everything runs smoothly while continuing to foster the strong sense of community that is so vital to the club’s success.

We are confident that Paul’s experience, dedication, and passion for the game will be a tremendous asset to the club, and we look forward to working with him as we continue to move forward.

A Thank You to Stephen Shields
We would also like to place on record our sincere thanks to Stephen Shields for his hard work and commitment during his time as Club Secretary. Stephen has played an important role in supporting the club, and his efforts have been greatly appreciated by everyone involved. We wish him all the very best for the future.