PAUL BEESLEY

Born:	21/9 1965
Height: 6`1" (183cm)
Weight: 12st. 7lb (79kg)
Pos:	Centre Back
Record:	Year  Club               Games Goals 
        84-89 Wigan Athletic       155   3
        89-90 Leyton Orient         32   1
        90-95 Sheffield Utd.       168   7
        95-97 Leeds United          10   0
        96-97 Manchester City        6   0
        97-98 Manchester City        7   0
        97-98 Port Vale (loan)       5   0
        97-98 West Bromwich (loan)   8   0

        Total                      391  11

Beesley is a much-travelled defender who has toiled earnestly for whichever club he represents. Starting at local side Marine, his non-League career was ended by a free transfer to Wigan in September 1984. He played 185 games for Wigan before moving to Leyton Orient, for £175.000, in 1989. But life in the capital did not suit this Liverpool-born centre-back, and within nine months he had returned north, this time to newly-promoted Sheffield United. The £300.000 that Dave Bassett paid for Beesley was to be repaid in style, and for the next four years Beesley's defending helped United survive in the top flight. But relegation eventually ensued, and after a year in the First Division Beesley returned to the Premiership by joining Leeds for £250.000.

The 95/96 season saw a lengthy run in the first team thanks to long term injury to John Pemberton in February, appearing in 23 league and cup games. After George Graham took over at Leeds, Paul found himself with no future at the club, and a welcoming £500.000 offer by Frank Clark gave the 32 year old another chance.

When Joe Royle superseeded Clark as manager, Paul found himself out of favour, and spent most of the remaining season on loan to Port Vale and W.B.A. After he was transfer listed, Port Vale signed the 33 year old defender on a free transfer.