Paul started his career as an apprentice with Blackpool, turning professional in October 1981. It wasn’t until Sam Ellis became manager that Paul found his true role at centre-forward, notching 21 goals in his final season with the Tangerines.

After more than 200 first-team appearances, he joined Manchester City in March 1987 for a fee of £200,000 — then a welcome record for Blackpool. On 7 November 1987, he was one of three players to score a hat-trick in a 10–1 victory over Huddersfield Town.

Terry Venables signed him for Tottenham Hotspur in June 1988 for £1.7 million, one of the highest fees paid by an English club at the time. Paul scored Spurs’ first goal in the 1991 FA Cup Final win against Nottingham Forest, and was widely regarded as Man of the Match.

In July 1992 he moved to Liverpool for £2.3 million and represented England at senior international level. Behind the football, however, Paul carried a story that would later change lives across the game.

In 2016, Paul bravely spoke out about the abuse he had suffered as a young player. That courage helped open a national conversation about safeguarding in sport — and set the course for the work he does today.