Paul Bignot
Encyclopedia
Paul Junior Bignot is an English footballer who plays for Plymouth Argyle
on loan from Blackpool
as a defender. He made over 20 appearances in the Football League with Crewe Alexandra
. His older brother Marcus
was also a professional footballer.
-born Bignot started his career as a trainee at Crewe Alexandra at the age of 13. He progressed through the youth teams, reaching the FA Youth Cup semi final for the first time in the club's history, only just getting knocked out by Middlesbrough
. Bignot pushed his way through the reserves and into the first team at the age of 18, making his senior debut against Sunderland
in the Carling Cup, a match that they went on to win via penalties. He then went onto make his League (Championship) debut the following week, away against Rotherham.
The following season, after Crewe were relegated to League One, he made sixteen League appearances. His last game was against Nottingham Forest
at the City Ground. Bignot turned down a contract extension offered by Dario Gradi
in search of week in, week out football. He found this at Kidderminster Harriers
, where he had previously spent a successful month on loan.
at Newport County, who went on to win the Blue Square Conference South by a record of 103 points in his first full season. That same season Bignot was named in the league's team of year. The following season was Newport County’s first at that level for over 20 years. Bignot picked up the Supporters' Player of the Year, Players' Player, South Wales Argus Player of the Year, and the President's Cup.
Bignot made a total of 113 appearances for County. His form also won him his first England C cap, in a single-goal victory over Belgium.
. However, Blackpool
, recently relegated from the Premier League, made an approach for Bignot and asked him to play for them in a friendly against Scottish Premier League champions Rangers
. Following this appearance for the club, Bignot was offered a two-year deal with the option of a third.
On the 4th of November, 2011, Paul Bignot was signed on a three month loan deal by Plymouth Argyle, the first player brought into the club since their exit from administration.
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
on loan from Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
as a defender. He made over 20 appearances in the Football League with Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
. His older brother Marcus
Marcus Bignot
Marcus Bignot is an ex-English professional footballer, currently manager of Solihull Moors.-Playing career:...
was also a professional footballer.
Crewe Alexandra
BirminghamBirmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
-born Bignot started his career as a trainee at Crewe Alexandra at the age of 13. He progressed through the youth teams, reaching the FA Youth Cup semi final for the first time in the club's history, only just getting knocked out by Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
. Bignot pushed his way through the reserves and into the first team at the age of 18, making his senior debut against Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
in the Carling Cup, a match that they went on to win via penalties. He then went onto make his League (Championship) debut the following week, away against Rotherham.
The following season, after Crewe were relegated to League One, he made sixteen League appearances. His last game was against Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
at the City Ground. Bignot turned down a contract extension offered by Dario Gradi
Dario Gradi
Dario Gradi MBE is an Italian-born English football manager and former player, who was serving as manager of the Crewe Alexandra F.C. Academy. He is a former manager of Crewe Alexandra, with whom he has been associated for almost thirty years.Gradi is notable for his 24-year first spell as manager...
in search of week in, week out football. He found this at Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
, where he had previously spent a successful month on loan.
Kidderminster Harriers
Bignot signed a two-year contract and was a regular in his first season, but the following year saw his contract cancelled by mutual consent. After talks with Mark Yates, they both decided it was time for Bignot to move on.Newport County
Bignot teamed up with Dean HoldsworthDean Holdsworth
Dean Christopher Holdsworth is an English former professional football player, now manager. As a striker he scored 193 goals in 610 league games over a 22 year career. Despite playing for 16 clubs in 19 spells the majority of his goals and appearances came at Brentford, Wimbledon, and Bolton...
at Newport County, who went on to win the Blue Square Conference South by a record of 103 points in his first full season. That same season Bignot was named in the league's team of year. The following season was Newport County’s first at that level for over 20 years. Bignot picked up the Supporters' Player of the Year, Players' Player, South Wales Argus Player of the Year, and the President's Cup.
Bignot made a total of 113 appearances for County. His form also won him his first England C cap, in a single-goal victory over Belgium.
Blackpool
In the summer of 2011, Bignot accepted the offer of a one-week trial at Leicester CityLeicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
. However, Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
, recently relegated from the Premier League, made an approach for Bignot and asked him to play for them in a friendly against Scottish Premier League champions Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
. Following this appearance for the club, Bignot was offered a two-year deal with the option of a third.
On the 4th of November, 2011, Paul Bignot was signed on a three month loan deal by Plymouth Argyle, the first player brought into the club since their exit from administration.