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Paul Hall (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Paul Anthony Hall is a retired English
-born Jamaica
n international footballer
. He is currently a coach at Conference National
side Tamworth
, during his career, Hall was a striker
who could also play on the right wing.
, turning professional on 9 July 1990, although he had already made his league debut the previous season. He helped the Gulls to promotion via the play-offs, primarily playing as a winger, and made a total of 93 league appearances, before a £70,000 transfer to Portsmouth on 25 March 1993.
Hall was to spend five happy seasons with the Fratton Park
outfit, and after some impressive displays Hall gained a call up to the Jamaica national football team
to participate at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
.
After some impressive performances at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
Hall moved to Coventry City
for a fee of £300,000. Within four months at Coventry he had been told by manager Gordon Strachan
that he did not fit into his plans, but Hall chose to stay and fight for a place, turning down a move to Port Vale
in late November 1998. On 18 February 1999 he joined Bury
on loan, but again returned to Highfield Road
to fight for a first team place. The following season chances were even sparser, with loan moves to Sheffield United
on 17 December 1999, and to West Bromwich Albion
on 10 February 2000, neither of which resulted in permanent deals.
Finally, on 17 March 2000, Hall left Highfield Road, joining Walsall
on loan until the end of the season, and in the summer joined the Saddlers permanently on a free transfer. He helped the club to gain promotion to Division One (now known as The Championship) via the play offs, but found himself out of manager Ray Graydon
's plans for the 2001–02
campaign. Port Vale attempted to take him loan on 20 September, but were told by Walsall that only a permanent deal would suffice. The following week he was offered a trial at Queens Park Rangers
, but again returned to Walsall. On 10 October 2001, he finally left the Bescot Stadium, joining league newcomers Rushden & Diamonds
on a free transfer, playing alongside fellow former Torquay forwards Scott Partridge
and Duane Darby
.
Hall spent three seasons with Rushden & Diamonds
making 112 appearances and scoring 26 goals. In the then Division Three play-off final, Hall scored a superb solo goal straight from kickoff after Cheltenham scored. When financial problems forced Rushden to offload several players, he signed for Tranmere Rovers
where he played 55 times and scored 13 goals.
For the 2005–06
season Hall signed on a free for Chesterfield
, for whom he was the top scorer with 15 goals in 47 league and cup starts. On 4 June 2007, Paul Hall returned to his former club Walsall
.
On 11 January 2008, Hall and fellow Saddlers team mate, Danny Sonner
both joined League Two
strugglers Wrexham
, however Hall's deal was only a loan deal. Hall scored his first goal for Wrexham on 9 March which was the opening goal in a 2-0 win at local rivals Chester City
. Unfortunately for Hall he suffered an injury, and returned to Walsall
. In July 2008, Hall signed for Conference South
club Newport County
under manager Dean Holdsworth
. Hall's contract with Newport was cancelled in October 2008 by mutual consent. He joined Stratford Town
of the Midland Football Alliance
in November 2008.
In July 2010, Hall was named youth team coach at Mansfield Town
, but left the club just two months later when financial trouble forced the club to shut down their youth team. He subsequently joined Spalding United
as a player, and made his debut for the Tulips on 2 October 2010 in a 3-0 defeat. Hall returned to Mansfield on 19 November 2010 when he was hired as Duncan Russell's assistant manager. On 30 March 2011, Hall was registered as a player to help ease the injury crisis at Mansfield Town, after the club could only name three healthy substitutes in the match against Crawley Town the day before. Hall left his assistant manager role on 7 June 2011.
because of family connections. He made his international debut for the "Reggae Boyz" in 1997, and helped Jamaica qualify for the 1998 World Cup
. He subsequently started all three games in the World Cup. In total, he played 41 games and scored 15 goals for Jamaica.
side Mansfield Town
.
Hall joined up with Marcus Law
at Conference National
side Tamworth
, and is helping with coaching the team, Hall lives local to the Tamworth
area, and will pass on his experience to a young squad.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
-born Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
n international footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
. He is currently a coach at Conference National
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...
side Tamworth
Tamworth F.C.
Tamworth Football Club are an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Nicknamed 'The Lambs', they are currently members of the Conference National, the fifth highest tier in the English league system....
, during his career, Hall was a striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
who could also play on the right wing.
Playing career
Hall began his career as an apprentice at Torquay UnitedTorquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
, turning professional on 9 July 1990, although he had already made his league debut the previous season. He helped the Gulls to promotion via the play-offs, primarily playing as a winger, and made a total of 93 league appearances, before a £70,000 transfer to Portsmouth on 25 March 1993.
Hall was to spend five happy seasons with 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:...
outfit, and after some impressive displays Hall gained a call up to the Jamaica national football team
Jamaica national football team
The Jamaica national football team is the national team of Jamaica and is controlled by the Jamaica Football Federation. After decades in CONCACAF obscurity, they gained many fans throughout the world after they qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup...
to participate at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
.
After some impressive performances at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
Hall moved to Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
for a fee of £300,000. Within four months at Coventry he had been told by manager Gordon Strachan
Gordon Strachan
Gordon David Strachan OBE is a Scottish football manager and former player. He is currently without a club, having last managed Middlesbrough. Strachan played for Dundee, Aberdeen, Manchester United, Leeds United and Coventry City, as well as the Scotland national team. Prior to Middlesbrough,...
that he did not fit into his plans, but Hall chose to stay and fight for a place, turning down a move to Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
in late November 1998. On 18 February 1999 he joined Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
on loan, but again returned to Highfield Road
Highfield Road
The Highfield Road Stadium was a football stadium in the city of Coventry, England. It was the home ground for Coventry City F.C. until the club moved to the new Ricoh Arena after the 2005-06 season...
to fight for a first team place. The following season chances were even sparser, with loan moves to 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 17 December 1999, and to West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
on 10 February 2000, neither of which resulted in permanent deals.
Finally, on 17 March 2000, Hall left Highfield Road, joining Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
on loan until the end of the season, and in the summer joined the Saddlers permanently on a free transfer. He helped the club to gain promotion to Division One (now known as The Championship) via the play offs, but found himself out of manager Ray Graydon
Ray Graydon
Ray Graydon is an English football manager and retired football player. He was recently employed as First Team Coach of Championship team, Leicester City while Rob Kelly was manager during the 2005-06 season.-Playing career:...
's plans for the 2001–02
2001-02 in English football
The 2001-02 season was the 122nd season of competitive football in England.-Arsenal cruise to title glory:In what had earlier been one of the most closely fought Premiership title races for years, Arsenal won the championship by seven points. Their crown was won in the penultimate game of the...
campaign. Port Vale attempted to take him loan on 20 September, but were told by Walsall that only a permanent deal would suffice. The following week he was offered a trial at Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
, but again returned to Walsall. On 10 October 2001, he finally left the Bescot Stadium, joining league newcomers Rushden & Diamonds
Rushden & Diamonds F.C.
Rushden & Diamonds Football Club was an association football club based in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, England. Formed by a merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds in 1992, the club played in the Conference National following a short spell in the Football League at the start of...
on a free transfer, playing alongside fellow former Torquay forwards Scott Partridge
Scott Partridge
Scott Partridge is an English footballer currently taking time out from football. He is a centre forward noted for his first touch and technique.-Playing career:...
and Duane Darby
Duane Darby
Duane Darby is a professional footballer who has made over 400 senior appearances in English football, and scored over 100 goals. He played a significant number of games for Torquay United and Hull City, and also helped both Rushden & Diamonds and Shrewsbury Town gain promotion from the Conference...
.
Hall spent three seasons with Rushden & Diamonds
Rushden & Diamonds F.C.
Rushden & Diamonds Football Club was an association football club based in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, England. Formed by a merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds in 1992, the club played in the Conference National following a short spell in the Football League at the start of...
making 112 appearances and scoring 26 goals. In the then Division Three play-off final, Hall scored a superb solo goal straight from kickoff after Cheltenham scored. When financial problems forced Rushden to offload several players, he signed for Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
where he played 55 times and scored 13 goals.
For the 2005–06
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
season Hall signed on a free for Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
, for whom he was the top scorer with 15 goals in 47 league and cup starts. On 4 June 2007, Paul Hall returned to his former club Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
.
On 11 January 2008, Hall and fellow Saddlers team mate, Danny Sonner
Danny Sonner
Daniel James "Danny" Sonner is an English-born former Northern Ireland international footballer. He won thirteen caps in a seven year international career....
both joined League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
strugglers Wrexham
Wrexham A.F.C.
Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales...
, however Hall's deal was only a loan deal. Hall scored his first goal for Wrexham on 9 March which was the opening goal in a 2-0 win at local rivals Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
. Unfortunately for Hall he suffered an injury, and returned to Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
. In July 2008, Hall signed for Conference South
Conference South
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
club Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
under manager Dean Holdsworth
Dean Holdsworth
Dean Christopher Holdsworth is an English former professional football player, now manager. As a striker he scored 193 goals in 610 league games over a 22 year career. Despite playing for 16 clubs in 19 spells the majority of his goals and appearances came at Brentford, Wimbledon, and Bolton...
. Hall's contract with Newport was cancelled in October 2008 by mutual consent. He joined Stratford Town
Stratford Town F.C.
Stratford Town Football Club is a football club based in Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire, England, currently playing in the Midland Football Alliance.-History:The club was formed in 1941 as Stratford Rangers, changing their name in 1949...
of the Midland Football Alliance
Midland Football Alliance
The Midland Football Alliance is an English association football league for semi-professional teams. It covers Leicestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire and also southern parts of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire...
in November 2008.
In July 2010, Hall was named youth team coach at Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
, but left the club just two months later when financial trouble forced the club to shut down their youth team. He subsequently joined Spalding United
Spalding United F.C.
Spalding United F.C. is an English football club based in Spalding, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of Division One of the United Counties League and play at Sir Halley Stewart Field.-History:...
as a player, and made his debut for the Tulips on 2 October 2010 in a 3-0 defeat. Hall returned to Mansfield on 19 November 2010 when he was hired as Duncan Russell's assistant manager. On 30 March 2011, Hall was registered as a player to help ease the injury crisis at Mansfield Town, after the club could only name three healthy substitutes in the match against Crawley Town the day before. Hall left his assistant manager role on 7 June 2011.
International career
Although born and raised in England, Paul Hall was eligible to play for JamaicaJamaica national football team
The Jamaica national football team is the national team of Jamaica and is controlled by the Jamaica Football Federation. After decades in CONCACAF obscurity, they gained many fans throughout the world after they qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup...
because of family connections. He made his international debut for the "Reggae Boyz" in 1997, and helped Jamaica qualify for the 1998 World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
. He subsequently started all three games in the World Cup. In total, he played 41 games and scored 15 goals for Jamaica.
Managerial career
Paul Hall currently holds a UEFA 'A' coaching license. In 2009 Hall coached at Soleil College. In November 2010, he was named assistant manager at English ConferenceFootball Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
side Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
.
Hall joined up with Marcus Law
Marcus Law
Marcus Law is an English former footballer who is currently the manager of Conference National side Tamworth.- Playing career :...
at Conference National
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...
side Tamworth
Tamworth F.C.
Tamworth Football Club are an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Nicknamed 'The Lambs', they are currently members of the Conference National, the fifth highest tier in the English league system....
, and is helping with coaching the team, Hall lives local to the Tamworth
Tamworth
Tamworth is a town and local government district in Staffordshire, England, located north-east of Birmingham city centre and north-west of London. The town takes its name from the River Tame, which flows through the town, as does the River Anker...
area, and will pass on his experience to a young squad.