{{Short description|Scottish footballer (born 1987)}} {{about||the Canadian legal scholar|Paul Paton (legal scholar)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Paul Paton | image = File:Paul Paton.jpg | caption = Paton playing for Partick Thistle in 2013 | fullname = Paul Raymond Paton | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|04|18|df=y}} | birth_place = Paisley, Scotland | height = | currentclub = Glenafton Athletic (manager) | clubnumber = | position = Defensive Midfielder | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = | years1 = 2005–2008 | clubs1 = Queen's Park | caps1 = 88 | goals1 = 1 | years2 = 2008–2013 | clubs2 = Partick Thistle | caps2 = 147 | goals2 = 5 | years3 = 2013–2016 | clubs3 = Dundee United | caps3 = 75 | goals3 = 6 | years4 = 2016–2018 | clubs4 = St Johnstone | caps4 = 45 | goals4 = 1 | years5 = 2018 | clubs5 = Plymouth Argyle | caps5 = 3 | goals5 = 0 | years6 = 2018–2019 | clubs6 = Falkirk | caps6 = 29 | goals6 = 1 | years7 = 2019–2020 | clubs7 = Dunfermline Athletic | caps7 = 24 | goals7 = 0 | years8 = 2020–2021 | clubs8 = East Kilbride | caps8 = | goals8 = | years9 = 2021 | clubs9 = → Airdrieonians (loan) | caps9 = 6 | goals9 = 0 | years11 = 2021–2022 | clubs11 = Dumbarton | caps11 = 22 | goals11 = 3 | years12 = 2022–2024 | clubs12 = Glenafton Athletic | caps12 = | goals12 = | years13 = 2024 | clubs13 = Irvine Meadow | caps13 = | goals13 = | nationalyears1 = 2014–2017 | nationalteam1 = Northern Ireland | nationalcaps1 = 4 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | manageryears1 = 2024- | managerclubs1 = Glenafton Athletic }} '''Paul Raymond Paton''' (born 18 April 1987) is a coach and former professional footballer who manages West of Scotland Football League club Glenafton Athletic.
He played as a defensive midfielder for Queen's Park, Partick Thistle, Dundee United, St Johnstone, Plymouth Argyle, Falkirk, Dunfermline Athletic, East Kilbride and Dumbarton, and had a spell on loan to Airdrieonians.
Born in Scotland, Paton represented Northern Ireland at international level.
==Club career==
===Queen's Park=== Paton played for Queen's Park from 2005 until 2008. His displays at right back were key in Queen's winning promotion to the Second Division. He scored the goal which gave Queen's the lead in the second leg of the playoff final against East Fife at New Bayview.
===Partick Thistle=== Paton signed for Partick Thistle in May 2008, on a three-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|title=Paton confirms switch to Firhill|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/partick_thistle/7393079.stm|publisher=BBC |work=BBC Sport|date=9 May 2008|access-date=26 October 2014}}</ref> He played a significant role in Thistle winning promotion in the 2012–13 season, during which he was the club captain.
===Dundee United=== On 16 April 2013 it was announced that Paton would follow former Thistle manager Jackie McNamara, along with Thistle teammate Chris Erskine, to join Dundee United for the start of the 2013–14 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22177843 |title=Partick Thistle's Chris Erskine and Paul Paton to join Dundee United |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=16 April 2013 |access-date=20 August 2013}}</ref> Paton scored his first goal for the club in a 4–0 win against Motherwell. Having established himself as a first team regular, Paton was rewarded with a contract extension at the beginning of the following season to keep him at the club until 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28833252|title=Dundee United: Deals for Paton, Connolly and Lochhead|work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=18 August 2014|access-date=18 August 2014}}</ref> In the 2014–15 season Paton was named as SPFL Player of the Month for September 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dundee United's Paul Paton wins SPFL September award|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29636254|publisher=BBC |work=BBC Sport |date=16 October 2014|access-date=19 October 2014}}</ref>
On 18 December 2014, Paton was found guilty by an SFA Disciplinary Tribunal of spitting at Aberdeen player Jonny Hayes during the match between Dundee United and Aberdeen five days earlier, and was given a two-match suspension, despite Hayes saying that Paton had not spat at him.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}} Dundee United announced they would be appealing the suspension but were told that the SFA's fast-track judicial system did not allow this.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}
In April 2015, Paton suffered a knee injury which kept him out for the rest of the season and most of the 2015–16 season.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}} He made his return for United in the latter stages of a Scottish Cup fourth round match against Airdrieonians where United won 1–0 in January 2016.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}} He scored his first goal of the season in the final minutes of a 2–1 win over Heart of Midlothian to put United into the lead with a 25-yard strike.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}} United were relegated to the Scottish Championship at the end of the season. In June 2016, he left United by mutual agreement with the club.<ref name = "mutual"/>
===St Johnstone=== After leaving Dundee United, Paton signed a two-year contract with St Johnstone.<ref name = "mutual">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36466590 |title=St Johnstone sign Paul Paton following his exit from Dundee Utd |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=7 June 2016 |access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref> Paton was released from his contract with St Johnstone on 31 January 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/completed-transfers-deadline-day-january-2018/?rid=13929 |title=Completed Transfers - Deadline Day January 2018 |publisher=Scottish FA |date=31 January 2018 |access-date=31 January 2018}}</ref>
===Plymouth Argyle=== Paton signed for English EFL League One club Plymouth Argyle in March 2018.<ref>{{cite news|title=Paul Paton: Plymouth Argyle sign former St Johnstone midfielder|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43384774|access-date=13 March 2018|work=BBC Sport|date=13 March 2018}}</ref>
===Return to Scotland=== Paton signed a two-year contract with Scottish Championship club Falkirk in June 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.falkirkfc.co.uk/2018/06/23/paul-paton-signs-two-year-deal/ |title=PAUL PATON SIGNS TWO YEAR DEAL |publisher=Falkirk FC |date=23 June 2018 |access-date=23 June 2018}}</ref> After one season with Falkirk, Paton signed for rivals Dunfermline Athletic on 14 June 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dafc.co.uk/story.php?t=Paul_Paton_is_a_Par&ID=11273 |title=Paul Paton is a Par |publisher=Dunfermline Athletic FC |date=14 June 2019 |access-date=19 June 2019}}</ref> Paton, who was appointed captain of the club,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dafc.co.uk/story.php?t=Club_Captain_appointed&ID=11337 |title=Club captain appointed |publisher=Dunfermline Athletic FC |date=18 July 2019 |access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref> was released in May 2020 at the end of his contract.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52768290 |title=Dunfermline release 17 players to 'protect future of club' |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=22 May 2020 |access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref> On 8 July 2020, Paton joined Lowland League side East Kilbride.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aitken adds trio of new signings |url=https://eastkilbridefootballclub.co.uk/news/aitken-adds-trio-of-new-signings-09-07-2020 |publisher=East Kilbride FC |date=8 July 2020 |access-date=9 July 2020}}</ref> With the Lowland League season suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Paton joined League One club Airdrieonians on loan in March 2021, until the end of the 2020–21 season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Thomson |first1=Paul |title=Airdrieonians snap up East Kilbride captain Paul Paton on loan |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/airdrieonians-snap-up-east-kilbride-23767827 |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=Daily Record |date=21 March 2021}}</ref> After turning down a new deal at East Kilbride,<ref>{{Cite web|last=McGilvray|first=Andy|date=2021-06-10|title=Partick Thistle swoop for EK star defender as midfielder heads for exit|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/partick-thistle-swoop-east-kilbride-24290925|access-date=2021-06-11|website=Daily Record|language=en}}</ref> Paton joined Dumbarton in June 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Galloway|first=Andy|date=10 June 2021|title=PAUL PATON IS ON BOARD|url=https://www.dumbartonfootballclub.com/news/?mode=view&id=4951}}</ref> His first Sons goal was an injury time equaliser against former club Airdrieonians at a time where Dumbarton had just eight men, in a game they eventually lost 3-2.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Clarke|first=Fraser|date=2021-10-23|title=Airdrieonians 3-2 Dumbarton - Eight man Sons crushed by late header|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/airdrieonians-3-2-dumbarton-eight-25285160|access-date=2021-10-26|website=Daily Record|language=en}}</ref> He left the club at the end of the 2021–22 season following the Sons' relegation to Scottish League Two.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dumbarton Football Club - SQUAD CHANGES |url=https://www.dumbartonfootballclub.com/news/?mode=view&id=5327 |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=www.dumbartonfootballclub.com}}</ref> In June 2022, Paton signed for Glenafton Athletic of the West of Scotland Football League.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://glenaftonfc.com/squad/squad-paul-paton/| title=Squad: Paul Paton| publisher=Glenaftonfc.com| access-date=8 March 2023}}</ref>
==International career== On 1 March 2014, Paton was called up to the full Northern Ireland squad for their friendly international against Cyprus. He qualifies to play for Northern Ireland through his father, who was born in Larne.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sammy Clingan out of N Ireland's Cyprus game because of injury|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26406940|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 March 2014|access-date=2 March 2014}}</ref>
==Personal life== In October 2014, Paton was arrested in connection with an alleged assault on Celtic goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska along with former Stenhousemuir goalkeeper Chris McCluskey.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/two-men-arrested-in-connect-to-an-assault-on-celtic-foorball-player.1414332735 |title=Scottish top flight footballer is one of two men arrested in connection with an alleged assault on Celtic player |first=Gerry |last=Braiden |work=The Herald |publisher=Herald & Times Group |date=26 October 2014 |access-date=26 October 2014}}</ref> Two Dundee United players, Paton and Mark Wilson, had been dropped from the team pending a club investigation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29734001 |title=Dundee United: Paton and Wilson not available due to inquiry |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=23 October 2014 |access-date=26 October 2014}}</ref> Paton was subsequently charged with assaulting Zaluska.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-34390675 |title=Dundee United footballer in court on assault charge |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=29 September 2015 |access-date=29 September 2015}}</ref> He later pleaded guilty on one charge of assault and was fined £500.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-34650026 |title=Dundee United's Paul Paton admits assault on Celtic goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=27 October 2015 |access-date=27 October 2015}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{updated|08:14, 8 May 2022 (UTC)}}<ref>{{soccerway|paul-paton/38588|accessdate=21 November 2017}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Scottish Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="4"|Queen's Park |2005–06<ref>{{soccerbase season|42505|2005|accessdate=21 November 2017}}</ref> |rowspan="2"|Scottish Third Division |23||0||2||0||0||0||0||0||25||0 |- |2006–07<ref>{{soccerbase season|42505|2006|accessdate=21 November 2017}}</ref> |31||1||2||0||3||0||6<ref group=lower-alpha>Two appearances and a goal in the Scottish Challenge Cup; four appearances and a goal in the Second Division play-offs</ref><ref group=lower-roman>Includes 1 play-off match not recorded on Soccerbase {{cite web|title=Queen's Park 4–2 East Fife|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_div_1/6636545.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 May 2007|access-date=17 December 2016}}</ref>||2||42||3 |- |2007–08<ref>{{soccerbase season|42505|2007|accessdate=21 November 2017}}</ref> |Scottish Second Division |34||0||2||0||2||0||2<ref group=lower-alpha name="SCC">Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup</ref>||0||40||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !88||1||6||0||5||0||8||2||107||3 |- |rowspan="6"|Partick Thistle |2008–09<ref>{{soccerbase season|42505|2008|accessdate=21 November 2017}}</ref> |rowspan="5"|Scottish First Division |35||3||2||0||2||0||4<ref group=lower-alpha name="SCC"/><ref group=lower-roman>Includes 3 Scottish Challenge Cup matches not recorded on Soccerbase. {{cite web|title=Partick Thistle 2–1 Queen's Park|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_cups/7524244.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 July 2008|access-date=17 December 2016}}, {{cite web|title=Partick Thistle 4–2 Peterhead|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_cups/7555256.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 August 2008|access-date=17 December 2016}} & {{cite web|title=Livingston 0–2 Partick Thistle|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_cups/7600901.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 September 2008|access-date=17 December 2016}}</ref> ||0||43||3 |- |2009–10<ref>{{soccerbase season|42505|2009|accessdate=21 November 2017}}</ref> |29||1||1||0||2||0||3<ref group=lower-alpha name="SCC"/>||0||35||1 |- |2010–11<ref>{{soccerbase season|42505|2010|accessdate=21 November 2017}}</ref> |26||1||4||0||2||0||4<ref group=lower-alpha name="SCC"/>||0||36||1 |- |2011–12<ref>{{soccerbase season|42505|2011|accessdate=21 November 2017}}</ref> |33||0||3||0||1||0||2<ref group=lower-alpha name="SCC"/>||0||39||0 |- |2012–13<ref>{{soccerbase season|42505|2012|accessdate=21 November 2017}}</ref> |24||0||1||0||1||0||4<ref group=lower-alpha name="SCC"/>||0||30||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !147||5||11||0||8||0||17||0||183||5 |- |rowspan="4"|Dundee United |2013–14<ref>{{soccerbase season|42505|2013|accessdate=21 November 2017}}</ref> |rowspan="3"|Scottish Premiership |37||2||5||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||45||2 |- |2014–15<ref>{{soccerbase season|42505|2014|accessdate=21 November 2017}}</ref> |24||2||4||0||4||0||colspan="2"|—||32||2 |- |2015–16<ref>{{soccerbase season|42505|2015|accessdate=21 November 2017}}</ref> |14||2||4||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||18||2 |- !colspan="2"|Total !75||6||13||0||7||0||0||0||95||6 |- |rowspan="3"|St Johnstone |2016–17<ref>{{soccerbase season|42505|2016|accessdate=21 November 2017}}</ref> |rowspan="2"|Scottish Premiership |28||1||0||0||6||0||colspan="2"|—||34||1 |- |2017–18<ref name="17/18">{{soccerbase season|42505|2017|accessdate=21 November 2017}}</ref> |17||0||1||0||0||0||1<ref group=lower-alpha name="UEL">Appearance in the Europa League</ref>||0||19||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !45!!1!!1!!0!!6!!0!!1!!0!!53!!1 |- |Plymouth Argyle |2017–18<ref name="17/18"/> |EFL League One |3||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||3||0 |- |Falkirk |2018–19<ref>{{soccerbase season|42505|2018|accessdate=14 July 2019}}</ref> |rowspan="2"|Scottish Championship |29||1||1||1||3||0||2<ref group=lower-alpha name="SCC"/>||0||35||2 |- |Dunfermline Athletic |2019–20<ref>{{soccerbase season|42505|2019|accessdate=14 July 2019}}</ref> |24||0||1||0||5||0||1<ref group=lower-alpha name="SCC"/>||0||31||0 |- |Airdrieonians (loan) |2020–21<ref>{{soccerbase season|42505|2020|accessdate=14 June 2021}}</ref> | rowspan="2" |Scottish League One |6||0||0||0||0||0||2||0||8||0 |- |Dumbarton |2021–22<ref>{{soccerbase season|42505|2021|accessdate=14 June 2021}}</ref> |22||3||1||0||0||0||3||0||26||3 |- ! colspan="3" |Career total !439||17||34||1||34||0||34||2||541||20 |} {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} {{reflist|group=lower-roman}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Soccerbase}}
{{2006–07 PFA Scotland Third Division Team of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Paton, Paul}} Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:Scottish people of Irish descent Category:Footballers from Paisley, Renfrewshire Category:Men's association footballers from Northern Ireland Category:Northern Ireland men's international footballers Category:Scottish men's footballers Category:Scottish people of Northern Ireland descent Category:Scottish expatriate sportspeople in Switzerland Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Queen's Park F.C. players Category:Partick Thistle F.C. players Category:Dundee United F.C. players Category:St Johnstone F.C. players Category:Plymouth Argyle F.C. players Category:Falkirk F.C. players Category:Dunfermline Athletic F.C. players Category:East Kilbride F.C. players Category:Scottish Football League players Category:Scottish Professional Football League players Category:Airdrieonians F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:Lowland Football League players Category:Dumbarton F.C. players Category:Glenafton Athletic F.C. players Category:West of Scotland Football League players Category:21st-century Scottish sportsmen