INTERVIEW WITH PAUL WARHURST

By Helen Clark


There comes a time when every professional footballer's playing career comes to an end. Stockport-born Paul Warhurst, 37, is now facing this situation after a 20 year vocation, 15 clubs to his name and a reputation as a versatile and talented player...




Paul now lives in Disley with his wife and four daughters – all of whom attend local schools in Poynton. He grew up nearby in Davenport, dreaming of becoming a professional footballer. “I never considered doing anything else. My teachers did try to encourage me with my education but all I ever wanted to do was play professionally. My earliest memories are of kicking a ball around the garden with my grandfather. I spent every free moment playing and was always encouraged by my family”.


Paul began his career as a trainee for Manchester City before signing professionally with Oldham Athletic in 1988 where he played during the semi-finals in the 1990 FA Cup. In 1991 he moved to Sheffield Wednesday for four years as a defender. “During my last year at Sheffield there were lots of injuries to the current strikers so the coach asked me to play upfront”. It was during this time that Paul scored a remarkable 12 goals in as many games for the team and was called up to the England national side to play as a striker but due to a groin injury he never got the chance to play. “Naturally I was gutted at missing my chance to be part of the England squad but I was soon up for a massive move to Blackburn Rovers. The club had recently bought Alan Shearer and Kenny Dalglish. I was signed by Blackburn for 2.75 million but 5 games later I broke my leg and was out of action for 8 months or so. I then suffered a series of hamstring injuries initiated from the broken leg. Then, during training, I broke my other leg which meant I was out of action for another 6 months! It was an incredibly frustrating time for me despite the great support from the club, the players and my family. There were times when I questioned whether I’d ever play again although spending time at home with my wife and family helped me to put things into perspective”. Despite his injuries Paul was awarded the FA Premier League winners medal during the 1994-5 season.
After a season with Crystal Palace in 1997-98 Paul moved to Bolton Wanderers and it was during his time with the team they were promoted to the Premier League. Since then he has played for several Football League clubs where he’s also accomplished himself as a successful mid-fielder. He has recently finished playing for Barnet at the end of the 2006-07 season. “All my football experiences, both good and bad, have made me mentally strong. I now feel that I’d be able to cope with anything that life throws at me. It’s true to say that being a success in this game has a lot to do with your mental discipline.”



But despite his highly successful and varied career Paul, like others before him, is having to face the inevitable search for pastures new. He completed his coaching badge in February this year. “I’ve wanted to take my badge for the last 6 years and have finally done it. The course is run by the Professional Football Association and I was required to do 18 hours coaching in total.” Paul has since gone on to work as a Consultant for a football agency based in London. “My work entails spotting and signing up new players aged between seventeen and late twenties and looking after them once they’ve been signed,” Paul explains. And his experience as a professional player means that he is well equipped to recognise new talent.
With so many footballers finding themselves in a position where their lives change beyond recognition after they finish playing it is no wonder that many turn to drink or find themselves struggling to keep their lives and marriages on track. “It’s hard for some ex-players to cope with a 9 to 5 existence after having worked so many hours away from home in the past” says Paul. “A lot do football coaching and many go into property or the building trade. Some move abroad and set up business there. You need to be wise with your investments when you’re playing so that you’re not left short of cash when you retire.”