Paul Andrew Carden (born 29 March 1979) is an English former professional footballer and coach, who manages Warrington Town.

He previously played for Blackpool, Rochdale, Chester City, Doncaster Rovers, Peterborough United, Accrington Stanley, and Burton Albion.

[1] Born in Liverpool, Merseyside, Carden made his Football League debut as a 17-year-old apprentice for Blackpool in December 1996 in a local derby defeat by Preston North End.

Carden had two spells with Chester (a brief stint at Doncaster Rovers in 2001 falling in between) and was a regular for most of his time there, chalking up more than 200 first-team appearances for the Blues.

He promptly registered with Burscough, who his brother Adam plays for, but immediately joined Burton Albion on a three-month loan, with a view to a permanent deal when the January transfer window opened.

Four months later, he returned to Football League circles with Accrington Stanley but was allowed to join Cambridge United on loan in November 2007.

[17] On 21 November 2021, National League North side AFC Telford United appointed Carden as their First Team Manager on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

The club was rooted to the bottom of the league at Christmas, but their form improved following Carden's appointment and they eventually finished the 2021/22 season in 20th place, above the relegation zone.