Paul Reece

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

Not to be confused with Paul Reese.

Paul Reece
Personal information
Full name Paul John Reece
Date of birth (1968-07-16) 16 July 1968
Place of birth Nottingham, England
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1986–1987 Stoke City 2 (0)
1987–1988 Kettering Town
1988–1992 Grimsby Town 54 (0)
1992 Doncaster Rovers 1 (0)
1992–1994 Oxford United 39 (0)
1994–1995 Notts County 11 (0)
1995–1996 West Bromwich Albion 1 (0)
1995 → Ilkeston Town (loan)
1997–2003 Cliftonville
2003 Ilkeston Town
Total 108 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

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 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] and former teammate at Grimsby. 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

Source:[14]

Club Season Division League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Stoke City 1986–87 Second Division 2000000020
Grimsby Town 1988–89 Fourth Division 14030202[lower-alpha 1]0210
1989–90 Fourth Division 15020102[lower-alpha 1]0200
1990–91 Third Division 0000000000
1991–92 Second Division 250000000250
Total 540503040560
Doncaster Rovers 1992–93 Third Division 1000000010
Oxford United 1992–93 First Division 350201000380
1993–94 First Division 4000201[lower-alpha 2]070
Total 390203010450
Notts County 1994–95 First Division 11000103[lower-alpha 2]0150
West Bromwich Albion 1995–96 First Division 1000000010
Career total 10807070801300
  1. Appearances in Football League Trophy
  2. Appearances in Anglo-Italian Cup

References
    • Lowe, Simon: "Stoke City The Modern Era – A Complete Record" (Desert Island Books, ISBN 1-874287-39-2).
  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. Archived from the original on 31 December 2005. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  6. A Strange Season in Solitude
  7. "The History of Cliftonville Football Club". Archived from the original on 29 January 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
  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
  14. Paul Reece at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
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