Paul Green (footballer born 1983)
Encyclopedia
Paul Jason Green is an English
-born Irish
professional footballer who plays for Football League Championship
side Derby County
. He is a full Republic of Ireland international
, having made his debut in May 2010.
Before joining Derby, Green spent 7 years at Doncaster Rovers
, where he played over 250 matches and earned three promotions in five years (from the non-league to the Football League Championship
) as well as winning the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. A central midfielder, Green can also play at right-back in emergencies.
in the Conference
on 19 March 2002. His first career goal came three days later in a 5–2 home win against Hayes
(who have sinced merged with Yeading
). Over the following seasons Green played a key role in several promotions with Doncaster. He first achieved promotion into the Football League
following a 3–2 win over Dagenham & Redbridge
in the Conference Play-off Final in the 2002–03 season and then won the League Two title the following season. He was again a key player in the side that achieved another play-off promotion, this time from League One into the Championship
after a 1–0 win over Leeds United at Wembley
in the 2007–08 season. He also won the Johnstone's Paint Trophy whilst with the club in 2006–07.
Green's contract with Doncaster was completed at the end of the 2007–08 season. Despite being offered a new deal, Green opted to leave Doncaster and join fellow Championship
side Derby County
on a free transfer, where he has signed a three-year contract. Prior to his departure he was the last remaining player in the squad from the Doncaster Rovers team that won promotion from non-league football in 2003.
In total, he played 277 games for Doncaster, netting 33 goals.
in a 1–1 draw on 19 August, and grabbed his second in a 1–0 League Cup win at Preston
on 26 August. Green established himself well in the Derby side and was the clubs' only remaining ever-present when he played his fourteenth consecutive game, a 3–2 defeat to Blackpool
on 21 October. He played 40 out of Derby's first 45 fixtures, including both legs of Derby's League Cup
semi-final against Manchester United, before breaking his fifth metatarsal whilst sprinting in a training session on 6 March 2009. He was predicted to be out for 6 to 8 weeks, and missed the remainder of the season. He finished the season with six goals in all competitions.
Green began the 2009–10 season
well, playing in six of Derby's opening seven games, and scoring in Derby's 3–2 defeat to Scunthorpe United
on 15 August 2009. However, he picked up a slight foot injury in the first game of the season, a 2–1 win over Peterborough
on 8 August. He continued to play through the injury with painkilling injections, and had appeared to be recovering. However, his start against Sheffield United
on 12 September would prove to be his last appearance for almost two months as his foot injury flared up again. After having another operation on his foot on 18 September, Green was predicted to return to action in four weeks. However, Green suffered a setback in his recovery and his comeback was delayed until 6 November. Following his return, Derby's form improved and he helped The Rams to 8 wins and 5 draws in the next 18 games he played, scoring the equaliser in Derby's 2–1 win over Reading
on 28 November. Whilst Derby's form did not hold, winning only 1 of their next 8 games, Green did hold his place in the first team for the remainder of the season, until he pulled a muscle in the warm-up for the penultimate game of the season at Bristol City
which cut Green's season slightly short. He finished the campaign with 2 goals from 37 appearances in all competitions. Green's performance, alongside his first international caps for the Republic of Ireland, attracted the interest of Celtic
, though Derby quickly dismissed the rumours, describing Green as "untouchable." He signed a one year extension to his contract in March 2010, to take him through until the end of the 2011/12 season.
Green started the opening nine league fixtures of Derby's 2010–11 campaign, only missing out in the League Cup due to an international call-up, and scored his first goal of the season in a 5–0 thumping of Crystal Palace
on September 25, 2010. Although primarily playing as one of the three advanced midfielders behind a loan forward in Derby's new 4–2–3–1 formation, he moved to right back for a 3–1 victory over Middlesbrough
as injuries left Derby short in defence. Despite Derby's inconsistent form, Green was almost an ever present throughout the season and was linked with moves to the Premier League with Wolverhampton Wanderers
and Blackpool
in the January 2011 Transfer Window. Green remained at Derby and remained a key figure in the side before picking up a cruciate and mediate ligaments injury in a 4-1 defeat at Cardiff City
which ruled him out for the subsequent six to nine months. As a result, Green missed the rest of the 2010-11 season and the first 16 games of the following season, returning to action in a reserve fixture against Sheffield United on 15th November 2011. He was allocated squad number 32 upon his return.
at international level. He qualified to play for Ireland through his grandfather on his mother's side, who is from Westport, County Mayo
. Green was called up to Giovanni Trapattoni
's Irish training camp squad taking place in Malahide
, Dublin, in May 2010. He was called up to the full squad for friendlies against Paraguay
and Algeria
, before playing the full 90 minutes of a Republic of Ireland XI vs Irish amateur match. On 25 May 2010, Green won his first full cap
in a 2–1 win against Paraguay at the RDS Arena
, coming on in the second half. Three days later he made his first international start, against Algeria, and scored his first international goal in the 32nd minute in a 3–0 win. His first competitive start came in a 1–0 win over Armenia
in September 2010. His performance for his fifth cap, a 3–2 defeat to Russia
, saw him earn a place in Goal.com's Worst Team of the Round team, who said he "did absolutely nothing to help put pressure on the haemorrhaging wound that was Ireland's central midfield. Failed to sufficiently close down Russia's full-backs who were allowed to whip in crosses at their leisure." Green is commonly acknowledged as one of the worst players to ever play for Ireland.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
-born Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
professional footballer who plays for Football League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
. He is a full Republic of Ireland international
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
, having made his debut in May 2010.
Before joining Derby, Green spent 7 years at Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
, where he played over 250 matches and earned three promotions in five years (from the non-league to the Football League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
) as well as winning the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. A central midfielder, Green can also play at right-back in emergencies.
Doncaster Rovers
Green started his professional career as a trainee with Doncaster Rovers, making his debut at 19 in a 2–2 draw with Northwich VictoriaNorthwich Victoria F.C.
Northwich Victoria Football Club are an English football club who play at the Victoria Stadium in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football league system.Northwich are an old club, founded in 1874 and named in honour of...
in the Conference
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
on 19 March 2002. His first career goal came three days later in a 5–2 home win against Hayes
Hayes F.C.
Hayes F.C. was an English football club based in Hayes, in Greater London. The club started out as Botwell Mission in 1909 taking its present name in 1929. The team nickname, The Missioners was a salute to the history of the team. The club played in the Conference South for their last few seasons...
(who have sinced merged with Yeading
Yeading F.C.
Yeading F.C. were an English football club from Yeading in the London Borough of Hillingdon, West London.-Club history:Their roots trace to a youth club formed in Yeading in 1960. However, there was a Victorian amateur team by the same name which folded in the 1920s, so the club's history can be...
). Over the following seasons Green played a key role in several promotions with Doncaster. He first achieved promotion into the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
following a 3–2 win over Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.
Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club , informally known as Daggers, is an English association football club based in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, East London. It was formed in 1992 after a merger between Redbridge Forest and Dagenham...
in the Conference Play-off Final in the 2002–03 season and then won the League Two title the following season. He was again a key player in the side that achieved another play-off promotion, this time from League One into the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
after a 1–0 win over Leeds United at Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
in the 2007–08 season. He also won the Johnstone's Paint Trophy whilst with the club in 2006–07.
Green's contract with Doncaster was completed at the end of the 2007–08 season. Despite being offered a new deal, Green opted to leave Doncaster and join fellow Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
on a free transfer, where he has signed a three-year contract. Prior to his departure he was the last remaining player in the squad from the Doncaster Rovers team that won promotion from non-league football in 2003.
In total, he played 277 games for Doncaster, netting 33 goals.
Derby County
Green made his first appearance in a Derby shirt at home to his former club Doncaster Rovers in a 1–0 defeat on 9 August 2008. He scored his first goal for his new club away at Bristol CityBristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
in a 1–1 draw on 19 August, and grabbed his second in a 1–0 League Cup win at Preston
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
on 26 August. Green established himself well in the Derby side and was the clubs' only remaining ever-present when he played his fourteenth consecutive game, a 3–2 defeat to Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
on 21 October. He played 40 out of Derby's first 45 fixtures, including both legs of Derby's League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
semi-final against Manchester United, before breaking his fifth metatarsal whilst sprinting in a training session on 6 March 2009. He was predicted to be out for 6 to 8 weeks, and missed the remainder of the season. He finished the season with six goals in all competitions.
Green began the 2009–10 season
Derby County F.C. season 2009–10
The 2009–10 season was Derby County's 111th season in the Football League. It is their 42nd season in the second division of English football and their second consecutive season in the second tier following an 18th placed finish in the previous campaign...
well, playing in six of Derby's opening seven games, and scoring in Derby's 3–2 defeat to Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
on 15 August 2009. However, he picked up a slight foot injury in the first game of the season, a 2–1 win over Peterborough
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
on 8 August. He continued to play through the injury with painkilling injections, and had appeared to be recovering. However, his start against Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
on 12 September would prove to be his last appearance for almost two months as his foot injury flared up again. After having another operation on his foot on 18 September, Green was predicted to return to action in four weeks. However, Green suffered a setback in his recovery and his comeback was delayed until 6 November. Following his return, Derby's form improved and he helped The Rams to 8 wins and 5 draws in the next 18 games he played, scoring the equaliser in Derby's 2–1 win over Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
on 28 November. Whilst Derby's form did not hold, winning only 1 of their next 8 games, Green did hold his place in the first team for the remainder of the season, until he pulled a muscle in the warm-up for the penultimate game of the season at Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
which cut Green's season slightly short. He finished the campaign with 2 goals from 37 appearances in all competitions. Green's performance, alongside his first international caps for the Republic of Ireland, attracted the interest of Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
, though Derby quickly dismissed the rumours, describing Green as "untouchable." He signed a one year extension to his contract in March 2010, to take him through until the end of the 2011/12 season.
Green started the opening nine league fixtures of Derby's 2010–11 campaign, only missing out in the League Cup due to an international call-up, and scored his first goal of the season in a 5–0 thumping of Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
on September 25, 2010. Although primarily playing as one of the three advanced midfielders behind a loan forward in Derby's new 4–2–3–1 formation, he moved to right back for a 3–1 victory over Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
as injuries left Derby short in defence. Despite Derby's inconsistent form, Green was almost an ever present throughout the season and was linked with moves to the Premier League with Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
and Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
in the January 2011 Transfer Window. Green remained at Derby and remained a key figure in the side before picking up a cruciate and mediate ligaments injury in a 4-1 defeat at Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
which ruled him out for the subsequent six to nine months. As a result, Green missed the rest of the 2010-11 season and the first 16 games of the following season, returning to action in a reserve fixture against Sheffield United on 15th November 2011. He was allocated squad number 32 upon his return.
International career
Despite being born in England, Green chose to represent the Republic of IrelandRepublic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
at international level. He qualified to play for Ireland through his grandfather on his mother's side, who is from Westport, County Mayo
Westport, County Mayo
Westport is a town in County Mayo, Ireland. It is situated on the west coast at the south-east corner of Clew Bay, an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean....
. Green was called up to Giovanni Trapattoni
Giovanni Trapattoni
Giovanni Trapattoni , sometimes known as "Trap" or "Il Trap", is an Italian football coach and former player, considered the most successful club coach in the history of Serie A. As a player he was part of Italy's squad at the 1962 FIFA World Cup....
's Irish training camp squad taking place in Malahide
Malahide
Malahide is a coastal suburban town, near Dublin city, located in the administrative county of Fingal, within the traditional County Dublin, Ireland. It has a village-like centre and extensive residential areas to the south, west and northwest.-Name:...
, Dublin, in May 2010. He was called up to the full squad for friendlies against Paraguay
Paraguay national football team
The Paraguay national football team is controlled by the Paraguayan Football Association and represents Paraguay in men's international football competitions. The team has reached the second round of the World Cup on four occasions . The 2010 trip also featured their first appearance in the...
and Algeria
Algeria national football team
The Algeria national football team , nicknamed الأفنــاك, Les Fennecs , represents Algeria in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Algérienne de Football. Algeria's home ground is the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers and their head coach is Vahid Halilhodžić.Algeria has qualified...
, before playing the full 90 minutes of a Republic of Ireland XI vs Irish amateur match. On 25 May 2010, Green won his first full cap
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
in a 2–1 win against Paraguay at the RDS Arena
RDS Arena
RDS Arena is a multi-purpose sports stadium, owned by the Royal Dublin Society and located in the Dublin suburb of Ballsbridge, Ireland.The arena was originally developed to host equestrian events, including the annual Dublin Horse Show, which was first held there in 1868. The site was acquired in...
, coming on in the second half. Three days later he made his first international start, against Algeria, and scored his first international goal in the 32nd minute in a 3–0 win. His first competitive start came in a 1–0 win over Armenia
Armenia national football team
The Armenia national football team represents Armenia in association football and is controlled by the Football Federation of Armenia, the governing body for football in Armenia...
in September 2010. His performance for his fifth cap, a 3–2 defeat to Russia
Russia national football team
The Russia national football team represents Russia in association football and is controlled by the Russian Football Union , the governing body for football in Russia. Russia's home grounds are Luzhniki Stadium, Lokomotiv Stadium , and Petrovsky Stadium in St.Petersburg and their head coach is...
, saw him earn a place in Goal.com's Worst Team of the Round team, who said he "did absolutely nothing to help put pressure on the haemorrhaging wound that was Ireland's central midfield. Failed to sufficiently close down Russia's full-backs who were allowed to whip in crosses at their leisure." Green is commonly acknowledged as one of the worst players to ever play for Ireland.
Doncaster Rovers
- Conference NationalConference NationalConference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
play-off winners: 2002–03
- Football League Third DivisionFootball League Third DivisionThe Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
champions: 2003–04
- Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
winners: 2006–07
- Football League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
play-off winners: 2007–08