Paul Quinn (footballer, born 1985)

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Paul Quinn

| image = Quinn, Paul.jpg

| image_size = 225px

| caption = Quinn playing for Cardiff City

| fullname = Paul Charles Quinn{{Hugman|25030|accessdate=30 April 2017}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|7|21|df=y}}

| birth_place = Wishaw, Scotland

| height =

| position = Centre back

| years1 = 2002–2009 | caps1 = 161 | goals1 = 3 | clubs1 = Motherwell

| years2 = 2009–2012 | caps2 = 46 | goals2 = 1 | clubs2 = Cardiff City

| years3 = 2012–2014 | caps3 = 73 | goals3 = 2 | clubs3 = Doncaster Rovers

| years4 = 2014–2015 | caps4 = 29 | goals4 = 3 | clubs4 = Ross County

| years5 = 2015–2016 | caps5 = 13 | goals5 = 1 | clubs5 = Aberdeen

| years6 = 2016–2017 | caps6 = 33 | goals6 = 0 | clubs6 = Ross County

| years7 = 2017–2018 | caps7 = 16 | goals7 = 0 | clubs7 = Dundee United

| totalcaps = 371 | totalgoals = 10

| nationalyears1 = 2004–2006

| nationalteam1 = Scotland U21{{Cite web|url=http://www.fitbastats.com/scotlandu21/player.php?playerid=408|title=Scotland U21 Player Paul Quinn Details|website=fitbastats.com}}

| nationalcaps1 = 3

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| club-update =

}}

Paul Charles Quinn (born 21 July 1985) is a Scottish former professional footballer. His usual position was right back, but he could also play at centre back or on the right wing. Quinn started his career at Motherwell and also played for Cardiff City, Doncaster Rovers, Ross County (two spells), Aberdeen and Dundee United.

Career

=Motherwell=

Born in Wishaw, Quinn came through the youth ranks at Motherwell and signed a professional contract with the club on 12 May 2002. In the 2002–03 season, he made his first professional appearance for the club, replacing Brian Dempsie as a substitute during the SPL game against Celtic on 1 December 2002.{{Cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/2517297.stm |title=Celtic see off brave Well |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 December 2002 |access-date=2009-07-06}} He did not feature regularly but in following seasons he proved his worth and also his versatility, by starting 27 and 26 games in all competitions during the 2003–04 and 2004–05 seasons respectively, filling a number of different positions in the Motherwell defence. Quinn scored his first goal for Motherwell during the Scottish Premier League match against Kilmarnock on 21 February 2004.{{Cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/3505197.stm |title=Motherwell 1–0 Kilmarnock |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 February 2004 |access-date=2004-02-21}} He did not score another goal for the club for over three years, when he scored during a league match against Aberdeen on 15 September 2007.

He was restricted to just 21 games during the 2005–06 season, but in the following seasons, he established himself as a first team player and at the beginning of the 2007–08 season he was a first choice in the Motherwell defence, displacing Martyn Corrigan at right back. Such has been the quality of his performances and the general improvement in his game under Mark McGhee that Corrigan was limited to one starting performance during the first half of the 2007–08 season and left to seek first-team football at Kilmarnock.

On 11 January 2008, it was announced that Quinn would assume the role of club captain, due to the sudden death of Phil O'Donnell the previous month. At the age of 22, Quinn became one of the youngest captains in the Motherwell's history. Although vice-captain Stephen Craigan was widely expected to be promoted to the position of club captain, he continued in his existing role.

=Cardiff City=

On 4 June 2009 he signed for Football League Championship side Cardiff City on a three-year contract for a fee of around £300,000,{{Cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/8134318.stm |title=Defender Quinn seals Cardiff move |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 July 2009 |access-date=2009-07-04}} describing the transfer as his "ideal move".{{Cite web |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/cardiff-city-fc/2009/07/06/paul-quinn-relishes-his-ideal-move-to-cardiff-city-91466-24080228/ |title=Paul Quin relishes his ideal move to Cardiff City |publisher=South Wales Echo |date=6 July 2009 |access-date=2009-07-06}} He made his debut for the club in a 4–0 win over Scunthorpe United, the first competitive match at the Cardiff City Stadium. On 17 August 2010, it was revealed that Motherwell were still owed around £175,000 of the transfer fee and that no further payments had been made toward the fee since January 2010.{{Cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/motherwell/8921892.stm |title=Motherwell pursue Paul Quinn money from Cardiff |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 August 2010 |access-date=2010-08-17}} However, the following week Cardiff reached an agreement with Motherwell and £100,000 of the remaining fee was paid.{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/motherwell/8944143.stm |title=Cardiff City pay Motherwell money owed for Paul Quinn |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 August 2010 |access-date=2010-08-27}} Quinn scored his first Cardiff goal on 2 April 2011, in a 4–1 win over Derby County.{{cite news |title=Cardiff 4 – 1 Derby |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/9439039.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 April 2011 |access-date=2011-04-02}}

Quinn was named captain for the League Cup game against Oxford United.{{cite news |title=Oxford Utd 1 – 3 Cardiff |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/14383989.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 August 2011 |access-date=2011-08-10}} and again for Huddersfield Town. He got his first league appearance off the season against Southampton, on 28 September, following a knock to Kevin McNaughton in the game. After only four starts during the season, Quinn was released at the end of his contract.{{cite news |title=Paul Quinn confirms City departure |url=http://www.cardiffcity-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/paul_quinn_confirms_city_departure_744303/index.shtml? |publisher=Cardiff City Online |date=13 May 2012 |access-date=13 May 2012}}

=Doncaster Rovers=

Following his release, Quinn joined Doncaster Rovers on trial playing in a goalless draw against Sheffield Wednesday.{{cite news |title=Doncaster Rovers 0 Sheffield Wednesday 0 |url=http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk//news/article/report-doncaster-rovers-0-sheffield-wednesday-0-275929.aspx?&pageValue=2 |work=Doncaster Rovers F.C. |publisher=Official Site |date=28 July 2012 |access-date=28 July 2012}} On 9 August, Quinn signed a one-year deal at Keepmoat Stadium.{{cite news |title=Doncaster Rovers sign ex-Cardiff midfielder Paul Quinn |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19182580? |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 August 2012 |access-date=9 August 2012}}

Quinn then went on to make 43 league and cup appearances for Doncaster Rovers, helping them become League 1 Champions when he cleared the missed penalty at the Brentford game on the final day of the season, his long pass out of the box finding Billy Paynter just inside his own half who went up to the other end and passed to James Coppinger to score the winner. On 27 July 2013 he signed a new deal lasting until June 2015.{{cite web|title=Quinn Signs New Deal|url=http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/article/quinn-signs-new-deal-948174.aspx|publisher=Doncaster Rovers Official Site|access-date=27 July 2013}} However, on 22 August 2014, his contract with the club was ended by mutual consent{{cite news |title=Paul Quinn departs Doncaster Rovers |url=http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/article/paul-quinn-departs-doncaster-rovers-1859120.aspx |work=Doncaster Rovers F.C. |publisher=Official Site |date=22 August 2014 |access-date=23 August 2014}}

=Ross County=

Quinn returned to Scottish football in October 2014, when he signed for Ross County.{{cite web|title=Quinn signs for Ross County|url=http://spfl.co.uk/news/article/quinn-signs-for-ross-county/|publisher=Scottish Professional Football League|date=17 October 2014|access-date=19 October 2014}} He made his debut as a substitute in Ross County's 5–0 loss against Celtic on 18 October 2014.{{cite web|title=Ross County 0-5 Celtic: Hoops return to winning ways in emphatic style|url=http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/ross-county/296214-ross-county-0-5-celtic-hoops-return-to-winning-ways-in-emphatic-style/|publisher=STV Sport|date=18 October 2014|access-date=19 October 2014}}

=Aberdeen=

In June 2015, Quinn signed a two-year deal with Aberdeen after becoming a free agent.{{cite web|title=Paul Quinn joins the Dons|url=http://www.afc.co.uk/news/6327.php|publisher=Aberdeen FC |work=afc.co.uk|date=12 June 2015|access-date=12 June 2015}} He made his debut for Aberdeen on 2 July 2015, against FK Shkëndija in the first qualifying round of the Europa League.{{cite web|title=Shkendija 1-1 Aberdeen|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33350986|publisher=BBC Sport|last=Spence|first=Jim|date=2 July 2015|access-date=2 July 2015}} Quinn scored his first league goal for Aberdeen in the 86th minute of a 2–1 victory against Celtic at Pittodrie, sending Aberdeen to the top of the table.{{cite web|title=Aberdeen 2-1 Celtic|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34160690|publisher=BBC Sport|last=Moffat|first=Colin|date=12 September 2015|access-date=13 September 2015}}

=Ross County (second spell)=

On 26 January 2016, Quinn returned to Ross County, signing an 18-month contract.{{cite web|title=Paul Quinn: Ross County re-sign defender after Aberdeen exit|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35409893|publisher=BBC Sport|last=Dowden|first=Martin|date=26 January 2016|access-date=28 August 2016}} He scored on his debut as Ross County beat Celtic 3–1 to reach the final of the Scottish League Cup.{{cite web|title=Three-goal Ross County see off Celtic to book League Cup Final spot|url=http://www.highland-news.co.uk/Sport/Football/Ross-County/Three-goal-Ross-County-see-off-Celtic-to-book-League-Cup-Final-spot-31012016.htm|publisher=Highland News|last=Durent|first=Jamie|date=31 January 2016|access-date=28 August 2016}} He played in the final, as Ross County won 2–1 against Hibernian.

Ahead of the 2016–17 season, Quinn was handed the captaincy at Ross County, after the previous captain Andrew Davies had asked to leave the club.{{cite web|title=Quinn handed captain's armband with Davies set to leave Ross County|url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/ross-county/974861/quinn-handed-staggies-armband-with-davies-set-to-depart/|publisher=The Press and Journal|last=Skinner|first=Andy|date=15 July 2016|access-date=28 August 2016}} At the end of his contract, Quinn was released by Ross County.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40007319 |title=Club captain Paul Quinn one of several Ross County departures |first=Martin |last=Dowden |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 May 2017 |access-date=22 May 2017}}

=Dundee United=

Quinn signed a short-term contract with Scottish Championship club Dundee United in August 2017.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40911089 |title=Paul Quinn: Dundee United sign defender on short-term deal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 August 2017 |access-date=12 August 2017}} In January 2018, he extended his contract until the end of the 2017–18 season.{{cite news|last1=Robertson|first1=Neil|title=Dundee United boss Csaba Laszlo close to making two new signings - The Courier|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-united/574422/dundee-united-boss-csaba-laszlo-close-making-two-new-signings/|access-date=5 January 2018|work=The Courier|location=Dundee}}{{cite news|title=Paul Quinn signs contract extension|url=https://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/news/5475/PAUL-QUINN-SIGNS-CONTRACT-EXTENSION.html|access-date=5 January 2018|publisher=Dundee United F.C.|date=5 January 2018|language=en}} Quinn was released by United in May 2018, following the end of his contract.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44130428 |title=Captain Willo Flood among Dundee United departures |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2018 |access-date=15 May 2018}}

Career statistics

rowspan=2 \| Club ! rowspan=2 \| Season ! colspan=3 \| League ! colspan=2 \| National Cup ! colspan=2 \| League Cup ! colspan=2 \| Other ! colspan=2 \| Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division ! Apps ! Goals ! Apps ! Goals ! Apps ! Goals ! Apps ! Goals ! Apps ! Goals
rowspan="8"\|Motherwell \|2002–03{{soccerbase season\|31667\|2002\|accessdate=18 October 2017}} \|rowspan="7"\|Scottish Premier League \|4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
2003–04{{soccerbase season\|31667\|2003\|accessdate=18 October 2017}} \|26	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	29	0
2004–05{{soccerbase season\|31667\|2004\|accessdate=18 October 2017}} \|23	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	26	0
2005–06{{soccerbase season\|31667\|2005\|accessdate=18 October 2017}} \|18	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	21	0
2006–07{{soccerbase season\|31667\|2006\|accessdate=18 October 2017}} \|26	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	29	0
2007–08{{soccerbase season\|31667\|2007\|accessdate=18 October 2017}} \|31	2	2	0	2	1	0	0	35	3
2008–09{{soccerbase season\|31667\|2008\|accessdate=18 October 2017}} \|33	1	3	0	1	0	2Appearances in the Europa League	0	39	1
colspan="2"\|Total !161	3	8	0	12	1	2	0	183	4
rowspan="4"\|Cardiff City \|2009–10{{soccerbase season\|31667\|2009\|accessdate=18 October 2017}} \|rowspan="3"\|Championship \|22	0	2	0	2	0	1Appearances in the Championship play-offs	0	27	0
2010–11{{soccerbase season\|31667\|2010\|accessdate=18 October 2017}} \|23	1	1	0	2	0	1	0	27	1
2011–12{{soccerbase season\|31667\|2011\|accessdate=18 October 2017}} \|1	0	1	0	3	0	0	0	5	0
colspan="2"\|Total !46	1	4	0	7	0	2	0	59	1
rowspan="3"\|Doncaster Rovers \|2012–13{{soccerbase season\|31667\|2012\|accessdate=18 October 2017}} \|League One \|38	0	1	0	3	0	1Appearance in the Football League Trophy	0	43	0
2013–14{{soccerbase season\|31667\|2013\|accessdate=18 October 2017}} \|Championship \|35	2	1	0	1	0	0	0	37	2
colspan="2"\|Total !73	2	2	0	4	0	1	0	80	2
Ross County \|2014–15{{soccerbase season\|31667\|2014\|accessdate=18 October 2017}} \|Scottish Premiership \|29	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	30	3
Aberdeen \|2015–16{{soccerbase season\|31667\|2015\|accessdate=18 October 2017}} \|Scottish Premiership \|13	1	0	0	0	0	5	0	18	1
rowspan="3"\|Ross County \|2015–16 \|rowspan="2"\|Scottish Premiership \|14	0	2	1	2	1	0	0	18	2
2016–17{{soccerbase season\|31667\|2016\|accessdate=18 October 2017}} \|19	0	1	1	2	0	0	0	22	1
colspan="2"\|Total !33	0	3	2	4	1	0	0	40	3
Dundee United \|2017–18{{soccerbase season\|31667\|2017\|accessdate=18 October 2017}} \|Championship \|16	0	1	0	0	0	2Appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup	0	19	0
colspan="3"\|Career total !371	10	19	2	27	2	12	0	428	14

Honours

;Doncaster Rovers

League One Champions: 2012–13

;Ross County

Scottish League Cup: 2015–16{{cite web |last1=Wilson| first1=Richard| title= Scottish League Cup Final: Hibernian 1 Ross County 2 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35738631|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=14 March 2016|date=13 March 2016}}

Personal life

In June 2008, Quinn and his girlfriend were robbed at gunpoint whilst holidaying in Florida, United States. The couple had been returning to their hotel when the incident took place.{{Cite web |url=http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=165&Itemid=133 |title=Paul Quinn Robbed |publisher=Motherwell FC |work=motherwellfc.co.uk |date=6 June 2008 |access-date=2008-06-06}}