Paul Mitchell (footballer, born 1981)

Paul Mitchell
Personal information
Full name Paul Mitchell
Date of birth (1981-08-26) 26 August 1981
Place of birth Manchester, England
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Playing position Defender
Midfielder
Youth career
1999–2000 Wigan Athletic
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2005 Wigan Athletic 64 (0)
2001 → Halifax Town (loan) 11 (0)
2004 → Swindon Town (loan) 7 (0)
2004–2005 → Milton Keynes Dons (loan) 13 (0)
2005–2009 Milton Keynes Dons 59 (0)
2007 → Wrexham (loan) 5 (0)
2008 → Barnet (loan) 3 (0)
Total 162 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Paul Mitchell (born 26 August 1981) is an English former footballer and former 'Head of Recruitment' for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. As a defender and midfielder, he has represented for outfits such as Wigan Athletic, Halifax Town, Swindon Town, Milton Keynes Dons, Wrexham and Barnet.

Playing career

He started his career in 1999 with Wigan Athletic where he stayed for six years.[1] Mitchell left Wigan shortly after their promotion to the Premiership, a campaign in which he made just one league appearance against Leeds United.[2] During this time he was loaned out to Halifax Town in 2001, Swindon Town in 2004 and Milton Keynes Dons in 2005.[3][4] He transferred fully to the Dons in 2005,[5] where he played until 2008 with short loan spells in 2007 to Wrexham[6] and 2008 to Barnet FC.[7][8] Mitchell made over 70 appearances for the Milton Keynes Dons and was also the captain for a short while.

On 6 January 2009, Mitchell announced his retirement from professional football age 27, owing to injury following a bad break to his leg and ankle during his team's 2–2 draw at Notts County on 2 February 2007.[9] On retirement Milton Keynes Dons announced that he will take up a role as 'Community Ambassador' with the clubs Sport and Education trust.[10][11]

In June 2010, Mitchell took part and completed a 1000-mile bike ride for Charity 'Help for Heroes' in memory of ex-Wigan apprentice and close friend Lee Ellis. The team of five, made up of Mkdons friends and staff raised over £20,000 for the charity.[12]

Recruitment career

Following the appointment of MK Dons Manager Karl Robinson in 2010, a recruitment division was later created at the league 1 club and recognising Mitchell's ability both on and off the pitch, Robinson assigned him to his back room staff as 'Head of Recruitment'.

In January 2012, 'Mitch' made a significant move away from MK Dons to join Championship club Southampton as 'Head of Recruitment' at the young age of 30.[13] Leaving behind seven years of service to the MK Dons, the Chairman paid tribute to Mitch by welcoming him back in the future as a 'close friend of the club'.[14]

Mitchell went on to play his part in Southampton's promotion to the Premier League in 2012.[15] In November 2014, Mitchell gave Southampton notice and joined Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.[16] Among the players he helped signed to Spurs were Dele Alli, Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderweireld.[17] He left the club in March 2017.[18] He is now in the employ of RB Leipzig and is responsible for the production of their younger talent and player recruitment.

References

  1. ↑ "Where Are They Now - Paul Mitchell (Interview)". vitalfootball.co.uk. 27 March 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  2. ↑ "Leeds 0-2 Wigan". BBC Sport. BBC. 31 October 2004. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
  3. ↑ "Mitchell impresses as first Wilson signing". miltonkeynes.co.uk. 14 December 2004. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  4. ↑ "Dons hit by Mitchell injury blow". BBC Sport. 24 February 2005. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  5. ↑ "Mitchell back with the Dons". miltonkeynes.co.uk. 21 June 2005. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  6. ↑ Rutledge, Lewis. "Mitchell makes Wrexham switch". Sky Sports. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  7. ↑ "Barnet sign Paul Mitchell on a months loan". barnet-mad.co.uk. 30 August 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  8. ↑ "Mitchell joins Bees". Sky Sports. 29 August 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  9. ↑ "Is this the end for Mitchell?". miltonkeynes.co.uk. 27 February 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  10. ↑ "Mitchell forced to retire". Sky Sports. 6 January 2009. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  11. ↑ "Community Ambassador". Mitch's Blog. Archived from the original on 2013-04-21.
  12. ↑ "Paul Mitchell is fundraising for MK Dons Sport and Education Trust". justgiving.com. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  13. ↑ "Saint Mitch leaves stadium:mk for St Mary's". miltonkeynes.co.uk. 6 January 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  14. ↑ "Paul Mitchell leaves". The Concrete Roundabout. 6 January 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  15. ↑ "Saints secure Clyne Deal". saintsfc.co.uk. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  16. ↑ "Paul Mitchell: Tottenham appoint Southampton talent scout". BBC Sport. 27 November 2014. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  17. ↑ Barry, Coral (11 May 2017). "Manchester United consider move for talent-spotter Paul Mitchell who masterminded Dele Alli transfer". Metro.
  18. ↑ Thomas, Lyall (8 March 2017). "Paul Mitchell finishes work for Tottenham amid Rangers interest". Sky Sports.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.