Paul Cheesley
Encyclopedia
Paul Martyn "The Big Cheese" Cheesley (born 20 October 1953 in Bristol
) is a former professional footballer.
, for whom he made his debut as a substitute on 17 November 1971 against Chelsea
in a League Cup
tie at Carrow Road
. His league debut did not come until 2 December 1972, a game which his side lost 2-0 at home to Manchester United
.
Cheesley went on to make 24 appearances for Norwich, scoring just one goal on 15 December 1973 in a 1-1 draw against Liverpool
at Carrow Road.
at Bristol City for a fee of £30,000. Initially, Cheesley didn't find life easy at his new club http://www.theincider.com/backissues/6/features/cheese.php, but during City's promotion season of 1975/6
he formed a formidable strike partnership with Tom Ritchie which saw them score 33 goals; Cheesley getting 15 of them. The opening fixture of the season back in the First Division was away to Arsenal
at Highbury. City won the game by a goal to nil and Cheesley scored the winning goal - a header from a Clive Whitehead cross from the right.
Cheesley had already been selected to play for England Under 23's to play Hungary, but as the game coincided with a crucial promotion clash against rivals Sunderland, he had turned down the opportunity. Despite that, England boss Don Revie
was known to be a fan, and his brave approach, speed and two-footed skill suited England’s style. With Cheesley turning in another eye-catching performance at the highest level, many believed it was only a matter of time before he received a full international call-up http://www.theincider.com/backissues/6/features/cheese2.php.
. It was during this game that, in one brutal moment, Cheesley’s promising career was ended. A cross came into the box and he rose to challenge England 'keeper Peter Shilton
for the ball, getting there first and heading over. It was a harmless-looking clash but he landed badly, ripping his cartilage, tearing ligaments and chipping a bone in his knee. At the age of 23, and with a blossoming career ahead of him, he was taken off and never ran back onto the pitch in a City shirt again. Despite an attempted comeback he was forced to retire from league football with just one more appearance to his name http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article2800402.ece.
He went on to have spells with non-league clubs, including Yeovil Town
. He is currently the landlord of The Knowle Hotel http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/458/, Leighton Road, in Bristol
.
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
) is a former professional footballer.
Career
Cheesley, a striker, began his career with Norwich CityNorwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
, for whom he made his debut as a substitute on 17 November 1971 against Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
in a League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
tie at Carrow Road
Carrow Road
Carrow Road is a football stadium in Norwich, England, and is the home of Norwich City Football Club. The stadium is located toward the easterly end of the city, not far from Norwich railway station and the River Wensum....
. His league debut did not come until 2 December 1972, a game which his side lost 2-0 at home to Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
.
Cheesley went on to make 24 appearances for Norwich, scoring just one goal on 15 December 1973 in a 1-1 draw against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
at Carrow Road.
Bristol City
In December 1973, as Norwich fought to avoid relegation, Cheesley was offloaded and snapped up by Alan DicksAlan Dicks
Alan Dicks is a retired English footballer and football manager. He managed Bristol City for thirteen years and managed clubs in five countries on three continents....
at Bristol City for a fee of £30,000. Initially, Cheesley didn't find life easy at his new club http://www.theincider.com/backissues/6/features/cheese.php, but during City's promotion season of 1975/6
1975-76 in English football
The 1975–76 season was the 96th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Liverpool won their first major trophy under Bob Paisley by narrowly winning the league title after heated competition from Queens Park Rangers. They also lifted the UEFA Cup for the second time in their...
he formed a formidable strike partnership with Tom Ritchie which saw them score 33 goals; Cheesley getting 15 of them. The opening fixture of the season back in the First Division was away to Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
at Highbury. City won the game by a goal to nil and Cheesley scored the winning goal - a header from a Clive Whitehead cross from the right.
Cheesley had already been selected to play for England Under 23's to play Hungary, but as the game coincided with a crucial promotion clash against rivals Sunderland, he had turned down the opportunity. Despite that, England boss Don Revie
Don Revie
Donald George 'Don' Revie, OBE, , was an English footballer who played for Leicester City, Hull City, Sunderland, Manchester City and Leeds United as a deep-lying centre forward. After managing Leeds United he managed England from 1974 until 1977...
was known to be a fan, and his brave approach, speed and two-footed skill suited England’s style. With Cheesley turning in another eye-catching performance at the highest level, many believed it was only a matter of time before he received a full international call-up http://www.theincider.com/backissues/6/features/cheese2.php.
Injury
Just three days after the victory at Arsenal, City were playing again, at home to Stoke CityStoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
. It was during this game that, in one brutal moment, Cheesley’s promising career was ended. A cross came into the box and he rose to challenge England 'keeper Peter Shilton
Peter Shilton
Peter Leslie Shilton OBE is a former English footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He currently holds the record for playing more games for England than anyone else, earning 125 caps....
for the ball, getting there first and heading over. It was a harmless-looking clash but he landed badly, ripping his cartilage, tearing ligaments and chipping a bone in his knee. At the age of 23, and with a blossoming career ahead of him, he was taken off and never ran back onto the pitch in a City shirt again. Despite an attempted comeback he was forced to retire from league football with just one more appearance to his name http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article2800402.ece.
He went on to have spells with non-league clubs, including Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
. He is currently the landlord of The Knowle Hotel http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/458/, Leighton Road, in Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
.