Paul, 32, joined Blackpool Football Club as an apprentice
groundsman after leaving school at the age of 16. He immediately
started his three-year course at the college in 1994, during which
time he successfully applied for the assistant groundsman post at
Arsenal.
The club's grounds were then based at Highbury so Paul continued
his studies on a pioneering distance-learning programme provided by
tutors at Myerscough. He acknowledges that the practical experience
he gained, alongside his qualifications and references from his
tutors, helped launch his meteoric professional career. Considered
by many in the profession to be the best at what he does, Paul
swiftly progressed to head groundsman in 2000 at Arsenal and
introduced new technologies and management systems to ensure the
state of the art playing surface was top-notch.
He also oversaw all aspects of design and construction and
delivered the club's new grounds at the Emirates Stadium, which are
among the best in the world. He acted as an advisor to UEFA for the
2004 and 2008 European Championships, the UEFA Cup and the
Champions League Finals at various stadiums around the world before
he was headhunted by Real Madrid in 2009 and asked to rescue their
pitch at the Bernabeu Stadium. His dedication and commitment have
led to him winning five Premier League Groundsman of the Year and
Institute of Groundsman/Turf Professional Awards. He has always
ensured that his staff follow practical and vocational
qualifications, guaranteeing that the exacting standards imbued in
him at college are maintained.