Paul started out as a trainee at Manchester United in 1999 spending 8 months on loan at FC Fortune in South Africa as part of Manchester United's "African vision" program. In June 2000, he was released by United and joined Bolton Wanderers reserve team. They quickly spotted his potential and groomed him for the first team while Wanderers were in the first division. He was sent on loan to Rochdale for a month and Mansfield for a month, before returning to Wanderers. On re-attaining the Premiership, Bolton deemed him surplus to requirements and allowed his contract to lapse. He wasn't out of work though, as he joined Scunthorpe. Hardly a regular at Scunthorpe, he made 4 appearances in his year with and was sent to Southport for four months between January and May before being released in June of 2003. After a successful pre-season trial with Oldham Athletic he joined the Latics, though had to be released from his contract as Oldham's financial troubles deepened. After two months in the blue and white shirts of Celtic, he failed to score, or impress (though he did set up Potts for a good goal at Bradford PA!) and was released.
