Paul Digby

Digby started his career in the youth team at Barnsley and won the Most Promising Academy player in 2008, whilst playing the club's under-13 side.{{Cite news |url=http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10309~1297319,00.html |title=Paul Digby named Most Promising Academy Player for 2008|date=26 April 2008 |access-date=29 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328171618/http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10309~1297319,00.html|archive-date=28 March 2012 |url-status=dead}} Paul won the award again in 2011 after his fine showings for the under 16's.{{cite news|title=New batch of youngsters for Academy|url=http://www.barnsley-chronicle.co.uk/sport/article/3994|publisher=Barnsley Chronicle|date=12 May 2011|access-date=19 August 2016}}

He signed a two-year scholarship with the club in the summer of 2011. He was brought into first-team action on 27 September 2011 in a 1–1 draw with Derby County in the Football League Championship. He came on for the injured David Perkins in the 33rd minute. In doing so he became the club's fourth youngest ever player at 16 years and 244 days.{{Cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12040_7209250,00.html |title=Debutant Digby wants more|date=28 September 2011 |access-date=29 September 2011}} Digby went on to play three more times that season, his full debut coming at home against Birmingham on 21 February. Despite Birmingham City winning 3–1 the midfielder, who had just turned 17, put in a man of the match performance.{{Cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17023246|title=Rob Edwards's own goal and strikes from Keith Fahey and Nathan Redmond steered Chris Hughton's Birmingham to third as they overcame a battling Barnsley|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 February 2012|access-date=26 October 2014}} Digby finished the 2011–12 season, making four appearances.

In the 2012–13 season, Digby signed a new contract with the club, keeping him until 2015{{cite web|url=http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/digby-extends-deal-316095.aspx|title=Digby Extends Deal|publisher=Barnsley F.C.|date=16 August 2012|access-date=19 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819212840/http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/digby-extends-deal-316095.aspx|archive-date=19 August 2016|url-status=live}} and switched number shirt from 32 to 17 ahead of a new season.{{cite web|url=http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/squad-numbers-announced.-250583.aspx|title=Squad Numbers Announced.|publisher=Barnsley F.C.|date=19 July 2012|access-date=19 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113500/http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/squad-numbers-announced.-250583.aspx|archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live}} Though he appeared in the substitute bench for three matches in the 2012–13 season, Digby, however, suffered a hip problem, resulting him absence for most of the season.{{cite web|url=http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/digby-pushing-on-02072013-889922.aspx|title=Digby Pushing On|publisher=Barnsley F.C.|date=2 July 2013|access-date=19 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819212310/http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/digby-pushing-on-02072013-889922.aspx|archive-date=19 August 2016|url-status=live}}

Ahead of the 2013–14 season, Digby signed another contract extension with the club, keeping him until 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/digby-signs-until-2017-29072013-952193.aspx|title=Digby Signs Until 2017|publisher=Barnsley F.C.|date=29 July 2013|access-date=19 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905164403/http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/digby-signs-until-2017-29072013-952193.aspx|archive-date=5 September 2013 |url-status=live}} Digby made his first 2013-14 appearance of the season, where he made his first start, in a 1–0 loss against Blackpool on 10 August 2013.{{cite news|title=Blackpool 1 - 0 Barnsley|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23558631|publisher=BBC Sport|date=10 August 2013|access-date=19 August 2016}} However, Digby made five appearances of the 2013–14 season.

The 2014–15 season saw Digby making his first appearance on 16 August 2014, in a 2–1 win over Crewe Alexandra.{{cite news|title=Crewe Alexandra 1 - 2 Barnsley|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28716642|publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 August 2014|access-date=19 August 2016}} Digby got a handful of first team appearances, making eleven appearances, due to player injuries despite his international commitment.{{cite web|url=http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/barnsley-v-fleetwood-town-match-preview-2259734.aspx|title=Reds v Fleetwood: Match Preview|publisher=Barnsley F.C.|date=10 February 2015|access-date=19 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305010552/http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/barnsley-v-fleetwood-town-match-preview-2259734.aspx|archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=live}} The 2015–16 season saw Digby make his only appearance of the season against Fleetwood Town on 24 October 2014.{{cite news|title=Barnsley 0 - 1 Fleetwood Town|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34557979|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 October 2014|access-date=19 August 2016}}

2015-16 season

On 4 January 2016, Digby joined Championship side Ipswich Town on loan for the remainder of the 2015–16 season.{{Cite web | url = http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/tommy_smith_backs_ipswich_town_s_new_boy_paul_digby_to_make_an_impact_1_4365854 | work = East Anglian Daily Times | date = 4 January 2016 | access-date = 4 January 2016 | title = Tommy Smith backs Ipswich Town's new boy Paul Digby to make an impact | first = Andrew | last = Warren}}

In an interview with Manager Mick McCarthy he stated "This fella (Paul Digby) has got a bit of a pedigree in terms of him coming through the England youth ranks and he's come here and impressed. He's not looked out of place in training. In fact, he's looked very much at home. He's a good size, he's quick enough, he can actually play football from the back too. He can head it, he reads the game well, he doesn't mind a tackle and likes to block things".{{Cite web|url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/audio-paul-digby-looking-very-much-at-home-at-ipswich-town-says-mick-mccarthy-1-4373122|title=Audio: Paul Digby looking very much at home at Ipswich Town, says Mick McCarthy|last=Watson|first=Stuart|website=East Anglian Daily Times|date=9 January 2016|language=en|access-date=2019-06-11}}

The manager was full of praise for Digby and was very quick to make his way into the starting eleven, earning his first appearance for Ipswich Town in the FA Cup. They played against Portsmouth on 9 January 2016, just five days after signing for the club. The game ended 2-2 and set up a replay match at Fratton Park. The FA Cup replay took place ten days later on 19 January, earning Digby his second start in an Ipswich shirt. He went on to play the full duration of the game, unfortunately losing 2–1.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35289133|title=Portsmouth 2 - 1 Ispwich Town|date=19 January 2016|publisher=BBC Sport}}

Digby made his Ipswich Town league debut on 27 February 2016, in a 1–0 win over Huddersfield Town, where he came on as a substitute. This secured Ipswich their second win in February, after losing their previous three games, Digby was instrumental to Ipswich holding onto their 1–0 lead.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35618862|title=Huddersfield Town 0 - 1 Ipswich Town|date=27 February 2016|access-date=19 August 2016|publisher=BBC Sport}}

He made two more appearances as a substitute that season, on the 5 March he came on against Nottingham Forest, securing another a 1–0 victory.{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?q=ipswich+town+v+nottingham+forest+5/03/16#sie=m;/g/11f5418x3t;2;/m/0355pl;dt;fp;1;;|title=ipswich town v nottingham forest 5/03/16 - Google Search|website=www.google.com|access-date=2019-06-11}} His final substitute appearance was against Blackburn Rovers, where Ipswich came out victorious with a 2–0 win.{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?q=ipswich+town+2016#sie=m;/g/11ggrkc0k1;2;/m/0355pl;ln;fp;1;;|title=ipswich town 2016 - Google Search|website=www.google.com|access-date=2019-06-11}} After impressing in a number of substitute appearances, resulting in three victories for Ipswich Town, Digby was handed his first start in the league.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36060715|title=Middlesbrough 0-0 Ipswich Town|date=2016-04-23|access-date=2019-06-11|language=en-GB}}

On 23 April 2016 Digby made his first start for Ipswich Town in the league. He played the full duration of the game against Middlesbrough, with the game ending 0–0, Digby recorded a clean sheet as he started in the centre of defence. Middlesbrough got promoted to the Premier League at the end of the season, showing that Digby was capable of performing well against the top teams in the Championship.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2016/may/07/middlesbrough-v-brighton-championship-promotion-decider-live-boro-albion|title=Middlesbrough 1-1 Brighton: Boro promoted to Premier League – as it happened|last=Bakowski|first=Gregg|date=2016-05-07|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-06-11|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}

On 28 June 2016, Digby completed a permanent transfer to Ipswich, signing a 1-year deal with the option of a second.{{Cite web|url=http://www.itfc.co.uk//news/article/paul-digby-to-make-permanent-switch-to-ipswich-town-from-barnsley-3157248.aspx|title=Paul Digby to make permanent switch to Ipswich Town from Barnsley|last=Ogle|first=Jonathon|access-date=2016-06-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813173926/http://www.itfc.co.uk//news/article/paul-digby-to-make-permanent-switch-to-ipswich-town-from-barnsley-3157248.aspx|archive-date=13 August 2016 |url-status=live}} Digby's first game after signing for the club on a permanent basis came in the first round of League Cup, making his first start against Stevenage.{{cite news|title=Ispwich Town 0 - 1 Stevenage|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36948791|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 August 2016|access-date=19 August 2016}}

2017-18 season

On 16 May 2017 Digby joined Mansfield Town.{{cite web|title=Stags snap up versatile former Ipswich man|url=http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/2016-17/stags-snap-up-versatile-former-ipswich-man-3717561.aspx|website=Mansfield Town|access-date=16 May 2017}} Digby stated that he was "excited" and "delighted" to sign for Mansfield Town.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-sign-former-ipswich-player-paul-digby-1-8546363|title = Mansfield Town sign former Ipswich player Paul Digby}}

Digby made his debut for Mansfield Town on 5 August 2018 against Crewe Alexander. He came off the bench with the game finishing 2–2.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

Just a week later Digby made his full debut against Forest Green Rovers. He started in Defensive Midfield and secured Mansfield Town their first win of the season, the game finished 2–0.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

Digby finished the season making a total of 21 appearances for the stags.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

2018-19 season

On 31 July 2018 Digby joined Forest Green Rovers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45019746|title=Paul Digby: Forest Green Rovers sign midfielder from Mansfield Town|date=2018-07-31|access-date=2019-06-13|language=en-GB}} Manager Mark Cooper stated "We've been chasing Paul for the majority of the summer after being informed that he was available. We're pleased to get it over the line." He also explained that Digby was a "good footballer" and "it is a really good signing for us"{{Cite web|url=https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/2018/digby-makes-switch-from-mansfield-to-fgr|title=Digby makes switch from Mansfield to FGR|website=www.fgr.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-06-13}}

Digby was involved right from the start of the season, making his debut on 4 August 2018. He came on as a substitute against Grimsby Town, closing out a 4–1 victory on the first day of the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?q=forest+green+rovers+2018/19#sie=m;/g/11g0tsyxyn;2;/m/0355r8;tl;fp;1;;|title=forest green rovers 2018/19 - Google Search|website=www.google.com|access-date=2019-06-13}}

Forest Green Rovers were the last team in the EFL to remain unbeaten, with their unbeaten run stretching 12 league games. The unbeaten run lasted just over two months, with Digby making an appearance in all twelve of those games.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/great-achievement-forest-green-rovers-2082682|title='Great achievement' for Rovers to be only unbeaten side in EFL|last=Port|first=Henry|date=2018-10-06|website=gloucestershirelive|access-date=2019-06-13}}

On 21 August 2018 Digby was handed his full debut, starting against Stevenage, the game ended 0–0. Digby started in the centre of defence, contributing to a successful clean sheet, the first of the season for Forest Green Rovers and Digby.{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?q=forest+green+rovers+2018/19#sie=m;/g/11g0tsw2cz;2;/m/0355r8;tl;fp;1;;|title=forest green rovers 2018/19 - Google Search|website=www.google.com|access-date=2019-06-13}}

After the Stevenage game, Digby went onto to record 17 consecutive starts for Forest Green Rovers. He consolidated his position in the team, switching between the centre of defence and the centre of midfield, helping the team pick up 27 points during that period.{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?q=forest+green+rovers+2018/19#sie=t;/m/02b1j1;2;/m/0355r8;mt;fp;1;;|title=forest green rovers 2018/19 - Google Search|website=www.google.com|access-date=2019-06-13}}

During that 17 game period, Digby recorded his first goal in a Forest Green Rovers shirt. It came against Cambridge Utd in the 34th minute when Digby expertly flicked on a header into the goal, leaving the keeper with no time to react. The game finished 3–1 to Forest Green Rovers{{Cite web|url=https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/september-2018/match-report-cambridge-united-1-forest-green-rovers-3|title=MATCH REPORT: Cambridge United 1 Forest Green Rovers 3|website=www.fgr.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-06-13}}

Digby picked up a couple of man of the match performances throughout the season. His first one came in the FA cup on the 10 November 2018 away at Oxford United. The game finished 0–0, earning Forest Green Rovers a replay.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46080693|title=Oxford United 0-0 Forest Green Rovers|date=2018-11-10|access-date=2019-06-19|language=en-GB}} His second MOTM performance came later on in the season, away against Mansfield Town.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47262312|title=Mansfield Town 1-0 Forest Green Rovers|date=2019-02-23|access-date=2019-06-19|language=en-GB}}

Digby managed to secure a play off spot with Forest Green Rovers, a massive improvement from last year. They climbed from 21st in the 2017–18 season to an impressive 5th place in the 2018–19 season. Digby was instrumental in their rise up the league, making 37 league appearances out of a possible 46 games.

On 21 July 2020, Digby signed a 1-year contract with League Two club Cambridge United.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/news/2020/july/paul-digby-signs/|title=Digby Joins U's|date=2019-07-21|access-date=2019-07-21|language=en-GB}}

On 8 May 2025, the club announced he would be leaving in June when his contract expired after making 229 appearances in his 5-year stint with the U's.{{Cite web |title=2025 Retained List Published {{!}} Cambridge United F.C. |url=https://www.cambridgeunited.com/news/2025-retained-list-published |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=www.cambridgeunited.com |language=en}}

On 12 June 2025, Digby joined Scottish Premiership club Dundee on a two-year deal.{{Cite web |date=2025-06-12 |title=Digby is a Dee |url=https://dundeefc.co.uk/news/digby-is-a-dee/ |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=Dundee Football Club - Official Website |language=en-US}}

On 15 August 2013, Digby was called up by England U19 squad{{cite web|url=http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/england-call-for-digby-994297.aspx|title=England Call For Digby|publisher=Barnsley F.C.|date=15 August 2013|access-date=19 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919144731/http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/england-call-for-digby-994297.aspx|archive-date=19 September 2013 |url-status=live}} and made his England U19 debut, coming on as a substitute in the 58th minute, in a 6–1 win over Estonia U19.{{cite web|url=http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/digby-on-england-debut-09092013-1044164.aspx|title=Digby on England Début|publisher=Barnsley F.C.|date=6 September 2013|access-date=19 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130913004109/http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/digby-on-england-debut-09092013-1044164.aspx|archive-date=13 September 2013 |url-status=live}} Digby scored his first England U19 goal on 14 November 2013, in a 4–1 win over Hungary.{{cite web|url=http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/digby-scores-in-england-u19-win-14112013-1175646.aspx|title=Digby Scores in England U19 Win|publisher=Barnsley F.C.|date=14 November 2013|access-date=19 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131119232314/http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/digby-scores-in-england-u19-win-14112013-1175646.aspx|archive-date=19 November 2013 |url-status=live}} Digby made another appearance for England U19 against Turkey U19.{{cite web|url=http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/turkish-delight-for-digby-1400964.aspx|title=Turkish Delight For Digby|publisher=Barnsley F.C.|date=6 March 2014|access-date=19 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819214905/http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/turkish-delight-for-digby-1400964.aspx|archive-date=19 August 2016|url-status=live}}

On 28 August 2014, Digby was called up by England U20 squad.{{cite news|title=Derby County striker and Rams loan target called up to England U20 squad|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/derby-county-striker-rams-loan-target-called/story-22843157-detail/story.html|publisher=The Derby Telegraph|date=28 August 2014|access-date=19 August 2016}} Digby made his England U20 debut on 9 October 2014, in a 1–0 win over Germany U20.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}} Digby made two more appearances against Turkey U20{{citation needed|date=July 2020}} and Canada U20.{{cite web|url=http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/barnsley-trio-on-international-duty-12112014-2080353.aspx|title=Barnsley Trio on International Duty|publisher=Barnsley F.C.|date=12 November 2014|access-date=19 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115235836/http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/barnsley-trio-on-international-duty-12112014-2080353.aspx|archive-date=15 January 2015 |url-status=live}}

{{updated|match played 3 May 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=62538|title=Paul Digby {{!}} Football Stats {{!}} Forest Green Rovers {{!}} Age 24 {{!}} Soccer Base|website=www.soccerbase.com|access-date=2019-06-11}}

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Soccerbase}}
• [http://www.thefa.com/england/All-Teams/Players/paul-digby England profile] at TheFA

{{Dundee F.C. squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Digby, Paul}}

Category:1995 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Sheffield

Category:English men's footballers

Category:England men's youth international footballers

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Barnsley F.C. players

Category:Ipswich Town F.C. players

Category:Mansfield Town F.C. players

Category:Forest Green Rovers F.C. players

Category:Stevenage F.C. players

Category:Cambridge United F.C. players

Category:English Football League players

Category:Dundee F.C. players

Category:Scottish Professional Football League players

Category:21st-century English sportsmen