Paul Lake
Encyclopedia
Paul Andrew Lake is an English former footballer, who played for Manchester City
.
area of Manchester, he attended St Thomas More School Denton. Lake was spotted by Manchester City scout Ken Barnes
as a ten year old, playing against boys two or three years older. As he reached his teens he joined youth club Blue Star, who had strong links with Manchester City. Other clubs also showed interest in Lake, Manchester United
inviting him on a tour of Spain. However, as a Manchester City fan Lake remained determined to play for the Blues, and signed a contract to become a Youth Training Scheme
apprentice on 1 July 1985.
winning side of 1986, Lake made his first-team debut on 24 January 1987 against Wimbledon
. A versatile player, he made appearances in almost every outfield position, though midfield
was generally regarded as his strongest position. Lake won six England
under-21 and England B caps, the first coming in September 1988. Solid performances at this level led to many experts tipping him for a bright future in the England team, including Bobby Robson
, the England coach of the time. However, a misfortune with serious injuries meant this was not to be. Installed as team captain at the centre of defence, a seemingly minor knee injury sustained near the start of the 1990/91 season following a challenge with Tony Cascarino
was later diagnosed as a ruptured cruciate ligament
, resulting in a two year absence. At the start of the 1992/93 season Lake made his comeback playing in midfield for the inaugural Premiership campaign, his return described by Peter Reid as, "like having a brand new £3,000,000 signing." However, after eight minutes of his second game since returning (away at Middlesbrough), the ligament snapped again. After a long struggle with injury, including 14 operations and only four reserve team appearances, Lake retired from playing in 1996. Throughout his years of injury, Lake was a figure of footballing hope for many City fans. Whenever people saw a lack of skill in defence or midfield, fans could imagine it would be better when Lake was there shoring up the fort. But this was not to be, and City's great potential side, including Lake, Andy Hinchcliffe
, David White
and Colin Hendry
, would never truly materialise.
, Burnley
and Oldham Athletic before Macclesfield Town
, where he was the physiotherapist for five years. In November 2007 he joined the medical staff at Bolton Wanderers
. Lake's brother Michael
was also a professional footballer who played for Sheffield United
.
Lake left Bolton midway through the 2008–09 season and ran his own physiotherapy practice in Greater Manchester
until March 2010, when he was appointed Ambassador for Manchester City in the Community. Lake also presents Blue Tuesday, a Manchester City themed radio programme on BBC Radio Manchester
, every Tuesday evening alongside Ian Cheeseman. His autobiography entitled "I'm Not Really Here" (a play on words on the popular Manchester City chant) detailing his struggle with injury.
Lake was inducted into the Manchester City Hall of Fame in 2004, an apt show of appreciation for his years of loyal service to the club.
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
.
Early life
Raised in the DentonDenton, Greater Manchester
Denton is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Tameside, in Greater Manchester, England. It is five miles to the east of Manchester city centre, and has a population of 26,866....
area of Manchester, he attended St Thomas More School Denton. Lake was spotted by Manchester City scout Ken Barnes
Ken Barnes (footballer)
Kenneth Herbert Barnes was an English footballer. He played as a half back for Manchester City and Wrexham. On the books of Birmingham City as a youth, Barnes began his football career at amateur level...
as a ten year old, playing against boys two or three years older. As he reached his teens he joined youth club Blue Star, who had strong links with Manchester City. Other clubs also showed interest in Lake, 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...
inviting him on a tour of Spain. However, as a Manchester City fan Lake remained determined to play for the Blues, and signed a contract to become a Youth Training Scheme
Youth Training Scheme
The Youth Training Scheme was the former name in the United Kingdom of an on-the-job training course for school leavers aged 16 and 17, managed by the Manpower Services Commission...
apprentice on 1 July 1985.
Playing career
A member of Manchester City's FA Youth CupFA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
winning side of 1986, Lake made his first-team debut on 24 January 1987 against Wimbledon
Wimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
. A versatile player, he made appearances in almost every outfield position, though midfield
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
was generally regarded as his strongest position. Lake won six England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
under-21 and England B caps, the first coming in September 1988. Solid performances at this level led to many experts tipping him for a bright future in the England team, including Bobby Robson
Bobby Robson
Sir Robert William "Bobby" Robson, CBE was an English footballer and manager, who coached seven European clubs and the England national team during his career....
, the England coach of the time. However, a misfortune with serious injuries meant this was not to be. Installed as team captain at the centre of defence, a seemingly minor knee injury sustained near the start of the 1990/91 season following a challenge with Tony Cascarino
Tony Cascarino
Anthony Guy 'Tony' Cascarino is an former association football player who played as a forward for various British and French clubs and internationally for the Republic of Ireland national team, with whom he competed in the 1988 European Football Championship and two World Cups in 1990 and...
was later diagnosed as a ruptured cruciate ligament
Anterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
, resulting in a two year absence. At the start of the 1992/93 season Lake made his comeback playing in midfield for the inaugural Premiership campaign, his return described by Peter Reid as, "like having a brand new £3,000,000 signing." However, after eight minutes of his second game since returning (away at Middlesbrough), the ligament snapped again. After a long struggle with injury, including 14 operations and only four reserve team appearances, Lake retired from playing in 1996. Throughout his years of injury, Lake was a figure of footballing hope for many City fans. Whenever people saw a lack of skill in defence or midfield, fans could imagine it would be better when Lake was there shoring up the fort. But this was not to be, and City's great potential side, including Lake, Andy Hinchcliffe
Andy Hinchcliffe
Andrew George "Andy" Hinchcliffe is a former English footballer. Formerly of Manchester City, Everton and Sheffield Wednesday, he played as a left sided defender or wing back....
, David White
David White (English footballer)
David White is a former English footballer, best remembered for his eight-year spell at Manchester City. He also played for Leeds and Sheffield United, and was capped once by England....
and Colin Hendry
Colin Hendry
Edward Colin Hendry is a retired Scottish footballer and manager, who played as a defender. Hendry started his career with Dundee in 1983 and spent spells at Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Rangers, Coventry City, Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool...
, would never truly materialise.
After playing
Since retiring from playing, Lake has moved to the other side of the treatment table, becoming a physiotherapist. After studying physiotherapy at Salford University he had spells with AltrinchamAltrincham F.C.
Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...
, Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
and Oldham Athletic before Macclesfield Town
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
, where he was the physiotherapist for five years. In November 2007 he joined the medical staff at Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
. Lake's brother Michael
Mike Lake (footballer)
Mike Lake is a retired English footballer.-Clubs:*1986-1987 : Macclesfield Town*1987-1992 : Sheffield United*1992-1995 : Wrexham-References:...
was also a professional footballer who played for Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
.
Lake left Bolton midway through the 2008–09 season and ran his own physiotherapy practice in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
until March 2010, when he was appointed Ambassador for Manchester City in the Community. Lake also presents Blue Tuesday, a Manchester City themed radio programme on BBC Radio Manchester
BBC Radio Manchester
BBC Radio Manchester is a BBC Local Radio station broadcasting to Greater Manchester in North West England. It broadcasts 24 hours a day from studios at MediaCityUK in Salford Quays via a transmitter at Holme Moss, with a small repeater at Saddleworth covering Tameside and Saddleworth...
, every Tuesday evening alongside Ian Cheeseman. His autobiography entitled "I'm Not Really Here" (a play on words on the popular Manchester City chant) detailing his struggle with injury.
Lake was inducted into the Manchester City Hall of Fame in 2004, an apt show of appreciation for his years of loyal service to the club.
External links
- James, Gary – Manchester – The Greatest City ISBN 1-899538-09-7