{{short description|English footballer}} {{Use British English|date=July 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Paul Brayson | image = Paul Brayson 1.png | image_size = 200 | caption = Brayson playing for Blyth Spartans | fullname = Paul Brayson | height = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1977|9|16|df=y}} | birth_place = Newcastle upon Tyne, England | currentclub = Newcastle Blue Star (manager) | clubnumber = | position = Striker | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = | years1 = 1995–1998 | years2 = 1997 | years3 = 1998–2000 | years4 = 2000 | years5 = 2000–2002 | years6 = 2002–2004 | years7 = 2004–2007 | years8 = 2005 | years9 = 2007–2008 | years10 = 2008 | years11 = 2008–2009 | years12 = 2009 | years13 = 2009–2011 | years14 = 2011–2012 | years15 = 2012–2013 | years16 = 2013–2024 | clubs1 = Newcastle United | clubs2 = → Swansea City (loan) | clubs3 = Reading | clubs4 = → Cardiff City (loan) | clubs5 = Cardiff City | clubs6 = Cheltenham Town | clubs7 = Northwich Victoria | clubs8 = → Gateshead (loan) | clubs9 = York City | clubs10 = Gateshead | clubs11 = Newcastle Blue Star | clubs12 = Durham City | clubs13 = Blyth Spartans | clubs14 = Harrogate Town | clubs15 = Bedlington Terriers | clubs16 = Newcastle Benfield | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0 | caps2 = 11 | goals2 = 5 | caps3 = 42 | goals3 = 1 | caps4 = 9 | goals4 = 1 | caps5 = 75 | goals5 = 18 | caps6 = 51 | goals6 = 8 | caps7 = 108 | goals7 = 42 | caps8 = 2 | goals8 = 2 | caps9 = 22 | goals9 = 4 | caps10 = 19 | goals10 = 9 | caps11 = 38 | goals11 = 29 | caps12 = 4 | goals12 = 3 | caps13 = 77 | goals13 = 59 | caps14 = 27 | goals14 = 12 | caps15 = 5 | goals15 = 9 | caps16 = 246 | goals16 = 281 | nationalyears1 = 2007 | nationalteam1 = England C | nationalcaps1 = 1 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | club-update = 21:00, 13 January 2023 (UTC) | nationalteam-update = | managerclubs1 = Newcastle Blue Star | manageryears1 = 2025– }} '''Paul Brayson''' (born 16 September 1977) is a retired English footballer who most famously played for Newcastle Benfield as a striker.
Brayson is widely regarded as a Newcastle Benfield legend, scoring over 250 goals in his first 8 seasons with the club, and winning Northern League Player of the Season in both 2014/2015 and 2017/2018 seasons.<ref>{{cite news|title=Paul Brayson|url= https://newcastlebenfield.co.uk/player/paul-brayson/|access-date=13 January 2023|newspaper=Newcastle Benfield F.C.}}</ref>
==Club career== Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Brayson started his career with Newcastle United before moving to Swansea City on loan. He signed for Reading in March 1998 for a fee of £1<ref name="Paul Brayson soccerbase">{{cite news | title = Paul Brayson | url = https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=938 | publisher = Soccerbase | access-date = 28 June 2007}}</ref> He joined Cardiff City on loan in 2000.
He then moved Cardiff City on a free transfer in 2000.<ref name="Cardiff City secure Brayson's signature">{{cite news | title = Cardiff City secure Brayson's signature | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/wales/832643.stm | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 14 July 2000 | access-date = 28 June 2007}}</ref> He moved to Cheltenham Town in July 2002.<ref name="Brayson joins Cheltenham">{{cite news | title = Brayson joins Cheltenham | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cheltenham_town/2153479.stm | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 26 July 2002 | access-date = 28 June 2007}}</ref> He was released at the end of 2003–04 season.<ref name="Handy signings by Burr">{{cite news | title = Handy signings by Burr | url = http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=19698 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930023457/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=19698 | url-status = usurped | archive-date = 30 September 2007 | publisher = Non-League Daily | date = 13 August 2004 | access-date = 23 July 2007}}</ref> He had a trial at York City in July 2004, but manager Chris Brass decided not to give him a contract.<ref name="BRAYSON GOES – BUT ROWAN EARNS TRIAL EXTENSION">{{cite news | title = BRAYSON GOES – BUT ROWAN EARNS TRIAL EXTENSION | url = http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=19327 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930014734/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=19327 | url-status = usurped | archive-date = 30 September 2007 | publisher = Non-League Daily | date = 31 July 2004 | access-date = 23 July 2007}}</ref>
He dropped out of The Football League when he moved to Northwich Victoria in August 2004.<ref name="Handy signings by Burr"/> This allowed him to play part-time for Cheshire club while running a taxi business in his native Newcastle.<ref name="Minstermen part company with Brayson and Wrigley">{{cite news | first = Tony | last = Kelly | title = Minstermen part company with Brayson and Wrigley | url = http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/display.var.2008013.0.minstermen_part_company_with_brayson_and_wrigley.php | newspaper = The Press | date = 31 January 2008 | access-date = 31 January 2008}}</ref>{{Citation needed|date=January 2008}} He joined Gateshead on loan in March 2005.<ref name="Brayson joins Gateshead on loan">{{cite news | title = Brayson joins Gateshead on loan | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/northwich_victoria/4354193.stm | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 16 March 2005 | access-date = 28 June 2007}}</ref> He was back at Northwich for the 2005–06 season, where he scored 32 goals in 51 appearances in Conference North.<ref name="Minstermen set to add two more">{{cite news |title=Minstermen set to add two more |url=http://york.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=973&p=2&stid=8449430 |publisher=Minstermen.net |date=20 June 2007 |access-date=28 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070709024217/http://york.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=973&p=2&stid=8449430 |archive-date=9 July 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He participated in a fine FA Cup run with Northwich, before being knocked out by Premier League club Sunderland. During that FA Cup run, Brayson won the FA Player of the Round twice, becoming the first player to do so.<ref name="Brayson makes history with award">{{cite news | title = Brayson makes history with award | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/4433574.stm | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 14 November 2005 | access-date = 18 June 2007}}</ref> He was regarded as a fans favourite with the Northwich supporters.{{Citation needed|date=December 2007}}
Brayson was signed by York City on 25 June 2007.<ref name="Pair pen York deals">{{cite news | first = Andrew | last = Simpson | title = Pair pen York deals | url = http://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/sport/1496278.pair_pen_york_deals/ | newspaper = Northwich Guardian | date = 25 June 2007 | access-date = 22 June 2014}}</ref> He was believed to have turned down a loan move to Gateshead in January 2008.<ref name="Brayson is back on the market">{{cite news |first = Andrew |last = Simpson |title = Brayson is back on the market |url = http://www.thisischeshire.co.uk/mostpopular.var.2006251.mostviewed.brayson_is_back_on_the_market.php |publisher = This Is Cheshire |date = 30 January 2008 |access-date = 31 January 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080211183747/http://www.thisischeshire.co.uk/mostpopular.var.2006251.mostviewed.brayson_is_back_on_the_market.php |archive-date = 11 February 2008 }}</ref> He made 22 appearances in the Conference Premier for York, scoring four goals, prior to being released on 30 January 2008.<ref name="Paul Brayson soccerbase"/><ref name="Brayson leaves Minstermen">{{cite news | title = Brayson leaves Minstermen | url = http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/yorkcityfc/news/display.var.2005417.0.brayson_leaves_minstermen.php | newspaper = The Press | date = 30 January 2008 | access-date = 30 January 2008}}</ref> He signed for Gateshead on 31 January.<ref name="Brayson stays in north east">{{cite news |first = Andrew |last = Simpson |title = Brayson stays in north east |url = http://www.thisischeshire.co.uk/display.var.2010654.0..php |publisher = This Is Cheshire |date = 31 January 2008 |access-date = 31 January 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080211183648/http://www.thisischeshire.co.uk/display.var.2010654.0..php |archive-date = 11 February 2008 }}</ref>
The end of the 2007–08 season saw Brayson offered a new contract by Gateshead. At the same time Newcastle Blue Star made him a lucrative offer to drop down two leagues and play for them. On 2 June 2008 Brayson was released by Gateshead having failed to agree to the new contract by a set deadline.<ref name="Tynesiders swoop for second Turnbull">{{cite news |first = Jeff |last = Bowron |title = Tynesiders swoop for second Turnbull |url = http://www.gateshead-fc.com/news2.php?i=981 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130123234823/http://www.gateshead-fc.com/news2.php?i=981 |url-status = dead |archive-date = 23 January 2013 |publisher = Gateshead F.C. (taken from Evening Chronicle) |date = 3 June 2008 |access-date = 3 June 2008 }}</ref> Upon his release by Gateshead, Brayson accepted the contract on offer from Newcastle Blue Star.<ref name="Striker snatch scores">{{cite news | title = Striker snatch scores | url = http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football-newcastle/2008/06/04/striker-snatch-scores-72703-21021503/ | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130420053410/http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football-newcastle/2008/06/04/striker-snatch-scores-72703-21021503/ | url-status = dead | archive-date = 20 April 2013 | newspaper = Evening Chronicle | date = 4 June 2008 | access-date = 4 June 2008}}</ref> He left to join Durham City in June 2009 before signing for Blyth Spartans in August 2009. In his first season in the Conference North he finished the league's top goal scorer with 28 goals.
In May 2010 he signed a new deal with Blyth Spartans for season 2010/2011 and went on to win the golden boot.
In August 2010 he was named team captain for season 2010/2011 and ended the campaign as the club's top goalscorer for a second successive season.
In May 2011 he joined Harrogate Town<ref name="harrogate signs">{{cite news |title = Harrogate Bag Spartans Duo |url = http://www.footballconference.co.uk/news/details.php?news_id=4667?6f276600 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120319231203/http://www.footballconference.co.uk/news/details.php?news_id=4667%3F6f276600 |url-status = dead |archive-date = 19 March 2012 |publisher = Football Conference |date = 31 May 2011 |access-date = 31 May 2011 }}</ref>
In June 2012 he joined Bedlington Terriers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Brayson Coup Forr Terriers|url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/brayson-coup-forr-terriers-13941/|access-date=18 June 2012|newspaper=Pitchero Non League}}</ref>
In August 2013 Brayson joined Newcastle Benfield.
==International career== Brayson was a late call-up for the England national C team to play in the Four Nations Tournament in May 2007, as a replacement for the injured Matt Tubbs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wales in search of win to retain Four Nations Crown |url=http://www.welshpremier.co.uk/news/WPL77073.ink |publisher=Welsh Premier League |date=27 May 2007 |access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref> He was capped once, playing in a 3–0 win over Scotland on 25 May 2007.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-first=Mike |editor1-last=Williams |editor2-first=Tony |editor2-last=Williams |title=Non-League Club Directory 2013 |year=2012 |publisher=Tony Williams Publications |isbn=978-1-869833-77-0 |pages=1003, 1005, 1006}}</ref> England won the tournament, having been unbeaten and not conceded a goal in three matches.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bishop's plunder |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/1431159.Bishop___s_plunder/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=29 May 2007 |access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Paul Brayson}} *{{Soccerbase}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brayson, Paul}} Category:1977 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Newcastle upon Tyne Category:English men's footballers Category:England men's semi-pro international footballers Category:Men's association football forwards Category:Newcastle United F.C. players Category:Swansea City A.F.C. players Category:Reading F.C. players Category:Cardiff City F.C. players Category:Cheltenham Town F.C. players Category:Northwich Victoria F.C. players Category:Gateshead F.C. players Category:York City F.C. players Category:Newcastle Blue Star F.C. players Category:Durham City A.F.C. players Category:Blyth Spartans A.F.C. players Category:Harrogate Town A.F.C. players Category:Bedlington Terriers F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:National League (English football) players Category:Northern Premier League players Category:Northern Football League players