Paul Went
Encyclopedia
Paul Went was an English footballer with a quick turn of pace who played professionally for five clubs over a fifteen year period. He
was one of that generation who bridged the gap between terminological eras, beginning his career as a centre-half and ending it as a central defender despite playing a similar role throughout.
Born in Bromley-by-Bow
on 12 October 1949 he played for both England schoolboys and the Under 18 youth side. After an apprenticeship he broke into the Orient
first team in 1966 and became the clubs youngest ever player and played 50 games for the club before being transferred to Charlton
in June 1967. He spent five years at The Valley before moving to Fulham
in the summer of 1972. After only 18 months he was off to Portsmouth
, part of new chairman John Deacon’s ambitious new rebuilding programme. Manager John Mortimore planned a rock-like central partnership between Went and Malcolm Manley
, but the former Leicester
defender injured his knee in only his 11th game for the Fratton Park
club and never played professionally again. Went, by contrast, was voted "Player of the Year" at the end of his first season. As financial crisis piled on crisis manager Ian St John cut the wage bill by selling Went to Cardiff City
, his last game being a 4–1 away defeat to Shrewsbury
. After two eventful years in Wales
Went returned to his home town to rejoin his first club
. As his playing career drew to an end Went was appointed Assistant Manager at Brisbane Road, culminating in a twenty-one day reign as full manager.
was one of that generation who bridged the gap between terminological eras, beginning his career as a centre-half and ending it as a central defender despite playing a similar role throughout.
Born in Bromley-by-Bow
Bromley-by-Bow
Bromley-by-Bow, historically and officially Bromley, is a place in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is an inner-city district situated east north-east of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:...
on 12 October 1949 he played for both England schoolboys and the Under 18 youth side. After an apprenticeship he broke into the Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
first team in 1966 and became the clubs youngest ever player and played 50 games for the club before being transferred to Charlton
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
in June 1967. He spent five years at The Valley before moving to Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
in the summer of 1972. After only 18 months he was off to Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
, part of new chairman John Deacon’s ambitious new rebuilding programme. Manager John Mortimore planned a rock-like central partnership between Went and Malcolm Manley
Malcolm Manley
Malcolm Manley was a cultured Scottish footballer whose career was cruelly cut short by a crippling knee injury. Born in Johnstone on 1 December 1949 Manley gained Schoolboy international honours for Scotland before joining his hometown club Johnstone Burgh. Here he quickly caught the eye of...
, but the former Leicester
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
defender injured his knee in only his 11th game for the Fratton Park
Fratton Park
Fratton Park is a football stadium in the English city-port of Portsmouth. It has been the home of professional club Portsmouth F.C. since its construction in 1898.-Description:...
club and never played professionally again. Went, by contrast, was voted "Player of the Year" at the end of his first season. As financial crisis piled on crisis manager Ian St John cut the wage bill by selling Went to 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...
, his last game being a 4–1 away defeat to Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
. After two eventful years in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
Went returned to his home town to rejoin his first club
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
. As his playing career drew to an end Went was appointed Assistant Manager at Brisbane Road, culminating in a twenty-one day reign as full manager.