Paul Canoville

Date of birth04 March 1962
Place of birthHillingdon
NationalityEnglish
PositionMidfielder/Forward

Notably, Paul was the first black player in Chelsea's first team.

He helped Chelsea win the 2nd Division Championship in 1984 and scored some spectacular goals before moving on to Reading.

Paul suffered a dislocated knee, a torn cartilage and a rupture to his cruciate ligament in a match against Sunderland on 21 October 1986 that effectively ended his professional career at the age of 24.

His memoir, Black And Blue, won a number of awards including Best Autobiography in the National Sporting Club's 2009 Book Awards and Best Autobiography in the 2009 British Sports Book Awards.

Club history

Team Joined Left Loan / Trialist
Chelsea 01 Dec 1981 01 Aug 1986
Reading 01 Aug 1986 30 Jun 1988

Club stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Goals Y R
1981-82 Chelsea League Division Two 1
2
1982-83 Chelsea League Cup 2
1982-83 Chelsea League Division Two 16
3
3
1983-84 Chelsea FA Cup 1
1983-84 Chelsea League Cup 4
1
1983-84 Chelsea League Division Two 17
3
6
1984-85 Chelsea FA Cup 1
1
1
1984-85 Chelsea League Cup 5
4
2
1984-85 Chelsea League Division One 15
9
1
1985-86 Chelsea FA Cup
2
1985-86 Chelsea League Cup 1
2
1985-86 Chelsea League Division One 4
9
1


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.