Paul Canoville

Paul Kenneth Canoville (born 4 March 1962) is an English former professional footballer who played as a winger.

Paul Kenneth Canoville was born to Udine Patricia "Patsy" Lake on 4 March 1962 at 10 Albert Road, Southall.

[7] Canoville started out playing semi-professionally for Southern League side Hillingdon Borough, and slept in an abandoned car as he had nowhere to stay.

[10] Canoville signed for John Neal's Chelsea in December 1981; he was paid £175 a week and Hillingdon Borough received a £5,000 fee.

[12] He made his debut, and became Chelsea's first Black player, against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on 12 April 1982,[13] coming on as a late substitute for Clive Walker, who had scored the only goal of the game.

[19] He gradually won over the majority of supporters to the point that his name was sung by Chelsea fans, though the racist abuse continued for years.

[22] However the next month Neal signed left-footed winger Mickey Thomas, which reduced Canoville's first team opportunities.

[24] He was in excellent form in the first half of the 1984–85 campaign, but picked up an injury against Stoke City in December and started just further matches upon his recovery.

[30] However, he struggled with injuries and with numerous other midfielders all vying for places at Stamford Bridge he played just 19 games in the 1985–86 season.

[34] He saw the move as a fresh start away from the racist abuse he had received at Chelsea, and he was more respected at Reading due to his experience in the First Division.

[35] However, he ruptured his cruciate ligament in a clash with Sunderland's Dave Swindlehurst at Roker Park on 21 October and was ruled out for the rest of the 1986–87 season.

[36] After ten months of recovery he was fit enough to be included in manager Ian Branfoot's first team plans for the 1987–88 season.

[37] He scored in a 3–0 win against Oldham Athletic at Elm Park but his knee caused him to leave the game after 65 minutes.

[38] He went on to feature a total of eight times that season, including in a League Cup win over former club Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but was never able to fully regain match fitness.

[50] He had built a good career as a DJ after retiring as a footballer, but sold his records and equipment to pay for crack.