Paddy Atkinson

Patrick Darren "Paddy" Atkinson (born 22 May 1970 in Singapore) is an English former professional footballer. As a schoolboy he went to several clubs, Newcastle Utd, Sunderland, Notts County, and West Bromwich Albion where he shared digs with Alan Shearer. Paddy signed apprentice forms with Sheffield Utd in 1986 with Ian Portifield as manager. After 3 managers in 2 years (Ian Portifield, Billy McEwan, and Dave Bassett) Paddy went on loan to Hartlepool Utd and signed as a professional at 18 with John Bird as manager. He scored 2 goals on his debut Vs Lincoln City at the Victoria Ground in 1986. After 3 seasons making 30+ appearances and playing for a further 2 managers, Bob Moncur and Cyril Kowles, Paddy moved to Gateshead in the Conference. He scored Gateshead's 1st goal in the Conference league. Paddy moved to Barrow making 40+ appearances with Ray Wilkie as manager. Paddy moved to Workington for 2 seasons before a successful trial seen him move to Newcastle Utd. Paddy played in Newcastle Reserves Team scoring 12 goals in 3 seasons when Kevin Keegan was manager of the club. It was Kevin who recommended Paddy to the Singapore National Team and to York City in the 1st Division. Paddy Signed for York City making over 60 appearances in 3 seasons. Paddy moved onto Scarbrough in the 2nd Division and Mick Wadsworth was manager before moving and playing for Blyth Spartans while recovering from an operation. He moved north of the border playing for Queen of the South for 4 seasons in the Scottish 1st & 2nd Division. John Connelly was the manager and Paddy won a Second Division Championship and a Bells Scottish Cup. At 34 Paddy decided to take up his 1st coaching role and took Queen of the South's Reserve Team. In his first season he won the Reserve League and Cup. Paddy later moved back home to the North East (Newcastle upon Tyne) and took on the Assistant Manager and 1st Team Coach's role at Newcastle Benfield in the Northern League. With Paul Baker as manager he won the League Cup. Paddy later took on the managers role with Tom wade and won the League, League Cup and Cleator Cup (4 trophies in 4 seasons). He then took on the 1st Team Coaches role at Bedlington Terriers before leaving in the summer of 2012 to take up a post at Blyth Spartans where he was assistant to Tommy Cassidy at the Northern Premier League side, before later a being appointed manager, a post he resigned from in 2013. On 9 January 2015 Paddy was appointed manager of Whitley Bay.

References

External links

• Paddy Atkinson career statistics at Soccerbase