Paul McLaren
Encyclopedia
Paul Andrew McLaren is an English footballer who plays for Oxford United
. He was born in High Wycombe
.
, playing over 160 games over eight seasons. He left Luton to step up a Division for Sheffield Wednesday
where he played 96 games and scored six goals. He was released, however, by Chris Turner after the club's relegation and subsequent failure to gain promotion to The Championship. He played for Rotherham United
under Ronnie Moore
and in the 2006–07 close season signed a two-year contract for Moore's new club Tranmere Rovers
having been released by Rotherham. In his debut season at the centre of the Rovers midfield McLaren started 42 of Tranmere's 46 games in League One
, and a further 43 the following season.
McLaren is a central midfielder, with an excellent assist record—13 during the 2007–08 season—mainly due to his passing and set piece ability.
He turned down a new contract offer from Tranmere and instead, on 1 July 2008, signed a two-year deal with League Two
club Bradford City
. He was one of four Bradford players to make his debut on the opening day of the 2008–09 season against Notts County
, which Bradford won 2–1. His first goal for his new club came on 30 August 2008, with the opening goal in a 3–2 defeat to Aldershot Town
. He was a regular in the Bradford side but missed a month of the season during February and March because of a calf injury, before being released at the end of the season.
On 10 July 2009 McLaren rejoined Tranmere on a two-year contract. He scored his first Tranmere goal upon his return when he scored at home to Grimsby in a first-round Carling Cup tie on 11 August 2009. On 26 November 2010, Tranmere Rovers cancelled McLaren's contract by mutual consent. A little over a month later, on 31 December 2010, he joined Oxford United
until the end of the 2010–11 season.
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
. He was born in High Wycombe
High Wycombe
High Wycombe , commonly known as Wycombe and formally called Chepping Wycombe or Chipping Wycombe until 1946,is a large town in Buckinghamshire, England. It is west-north-west of Charing Cross in London; this figure is engraved on the Corn Market building in the centre of the town...
.
Career
He began his career as a trainee for Luton TownLuton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
, playing over 160 games over eight seasons. He left Luton to step up a Division for Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
where he played 96 games and scored six goals. He was released, however, by Chris Turner after the club's relegation and subsequent failure to gain promotion to The Championship. He played for Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
under Ronnie Moore
Ronnie Moore
Ronald David "Ronnie" Moore is an English football manager and former player. He is considered one of the greatest Rotherham United players of all time, and is also considered the best manager Rotherham United have ever had, becoming a club legend. and went on to manage the Millers for seven years...
and in the 2006–07 close season signed a two-year contract for Moore's new club 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...
having been released by Rotherham. In his debut season at the centre of the Rovers midfield McLaren started 42 of Tranmere's 46 games in League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
, and a further 43 the following season.
McLaren is a central midfielder, with an excellent assist record—13 during the 2007–08 season—mainly due to his passing and set piece ability.
He turned down a new contract offer from Tranmere and instead, on 1 July 2008, signed a two-year deal with 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....
club Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
. He was one of four Bradford players to make his debut on the opening day of the 2008–09 season against Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
, which Bradford won 2–1. His first goal for his new club came on 30 August 2008, with the opening goal in a 3–2 defeat to Aldershot Town
Aldershot Town F.C.
Aldershot Town Football Club is an association football club based in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, founded in the spring of 1992 just after the closure of debt-ridden Fourth Division club Aldershot Football Club...
. He was a regular in the Bradford side but missed a month of the season during February and March because of a calf injury, before being released at the end of the season.
On 10 July 2009 McLaren rejoined Tranmere on a two-year contract. He scored his first Tranmere goal upon his return when he scored at home to Grimsby in a first-round Carling Cup tie on 11 August 2009. On 26 November 2010, Tranmere Rovers cancelled McLaren's contract by mutual consent. A little over a month later, on 31 December 2010, he joined Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
until the end of the 2010–11 season.