Paul Reece

Paul Reece
Personal information
Full namePaul John Reece
Date of birth16 July 1968
Place of birthNottingham, England
Playing positionGoalkeeper
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
1986–1987Stoke City2(0)
1987–1988Kettering Town
1988–1992Grimsby Town54(0)
1992–1993Doncaster Rovers1(0)
1993–1994Oxford United39(0)
1994–1995Notts County11(0)
1995–1996West Bromwich Albion1(0)
1997–2000Cliftonville
Total108(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Paul John Reece (born 16 July 1968) is a former English footballer who played in the Football League for Doncaster Rovers, Grimsby Town, Notts County, Oxford United, Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion.[1]

Career

Reece was born in Nottingham and started his footballing career at Staffordshire side Stoke City.[2] He played just twice for Stoke both came towards the end of the 1986–87 where he deputised for the injured Peter Fox.[2] He conceded six goals in his two matches 4–1 to Shrewsbury Town and 2–1 to Barnsley and was released at the end of the season.[2] He joined Kettering Town for one season and won Player of the Year Award before signing for Grimsby Town for £10,000. where he played regular football.[3] He left for Doncaster Rovers in 1992 and made just one appearance for Doncaster.[4] He joined Oxford United and later played for Notts County, West Bromwich Albion, Ilkeston Town and for Northern Irish club Cliftonville.[5]

Reece arrived at Solitude on a free transfer after being recommended to the club by former player Keith Alexander, who had been his manager at Ilkeston.[6] He made his debut for the Belfast club in the final of the 1996–97 County Antrim Shield and he saved a penalty in the penalty shootout, ensuring Cliftonville won the trophy for the first time since 1979.[7] He subsequently wore the number one shirt during the club's Irish League title winning season the following year[8] and became established as a club legend in the eyes of the supporters.[9] Reece would also appear for the Reds in the UEFA Champions League qualifier against MFK Košice the following season[10] Later however Reece, who remained based in London during his time at Cliftonville, failed to travel to Belfast for a number of matches and during his absence he lost the number one shirt to Michael Ingham.[11][12]

Reece subsequently returned to Ilkeston Town, remaining on the club's books until his retirement from playing in 2003. He worked as a goalkeeping coach for Nottingham Forest, Mansfield Town and the Derby County youth team before fulfilling the same role at football training camps.[13]

Career statistics

Club Season Division League FA Cup League Cup Other[A] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Stoke City 1986–87 Second Division 2000000020
Grimsby Town 1988–89 Fourth Division 140302020210
1989–90 150201020200
1990–91 Third Division 0000000000
1991–92 Second Division 250000000250
Doncaster Rovers 1992–93 Third Division 1000000010
Oxford United 1992–93 Division One 350201000380
1993–94 4000201070
Notts County 1994–95 110001030150
West Bromwich Albion 1995–96 1000000010
Career Total 10807070801300
A. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the Anglo-Italian Cup and Football League Trophy.

References

  1. ↑
    • Lowe, Simon: "Stoke City The Modern Era – A Complete Record" (Desert Island Books, ISBN 1-874287-39-2).
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Matthews, Tony (1994). The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City. Lion Press. ISBN 0-9524151-0-0.
  3. ↑ "Paul Reece". The Fishy. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  4. ↑ "Paul Reece". doncasterrovers.co.uk. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  5. ↑ "Paul Reece stats". RAGE online. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  6. ↑ A Strange Season in Solitude
  7. ↑ The History of Cliftonville Football Club
  8. ↑ Jeepers Keepers!
  9. ↑ News: August 2008
  10. ↑ Match report
  11. ↑ Football: McCourt is staying put says Marty; CLIFTONVILLE 1 COLERAINE 1
  12. ↑ Football: Reds in safe hands; CLIFTONVILLE....1 COLERAINE....1.
  13. ↑ Reece, Paul