Our new club Chaplain is no stranger to Southport Football Club. His father brought him as a youngster when he remembers Southport winning the Fourth Division to get promotion to Division Three. His Grandfather was also an avid fan.
After training as a nurse, and working in Preston and London, Paul then trained for ordination in the Church of England. Here, in his first post, he became Chaplain to Lincoln Utd.
On moving back to West Lancs Paul became involved with a small football club in his parish.
At the end of one season whilst playing a friendly between the first and reserve team he managed to break his foot. This meant he had to take services the day after sat on bar stool much to amusement of the congregation.
Paul has three children and is married to Jo. On moving to Southport 15 years ago he returned to Haig Avenue. The youngest became a ball boy, the eldest and Paul became stewards. A role they enjoyed for nine seasons.
Chaplains are involved in many sports, rugby, football, cricket and at international events such as the Olympics and World Cup.
Hopefully as you see Paul around the ground with his badge on feel free to say hello.
The role of chaplain is for people of all faith or no faith. A role similar to his role at Aintree then Whiston as a Hospital Chaplain.
His task at present is finding a clerical shirt in club colours!