Paul John Reece (born 16 July 1968) is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League for Doncaster Rovers, Grimsby Town, Notts County, Oxford United, Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion.*Lowe, Simon: "Stoke City The Modern Era – A Complete Record" (Desert Island Books, ). He is a goalkeeping coach for Select Soccer Center in Pennsylvania.
Career Reece was born in Nottingham and started his footballing career at Staffordshire side Stoke City. He played just twice for Stoke both came towards the end of the 1986–87 where he deputised for the injured Peter Fox. He conceded six goals in his two matches 4–1 to Shrewsbury Town and 2–1 to Barnsley and was released at the end of the season. He joined Kettering Town for one season and won Player of the Year Award before signing for Grimsby Town for £10,000, where he played regular football. He left for Doncaster Rovers in 1992 and made just one appearance for Doncaster. He joined Oxford United and later played for Notts County, West Bromwich Albion, Ilkeston Town and Northern Irish club Cliftonville.
Reece arrived at Solitude on a free transfer after being recommended to the club by former player Keith Alexander, who had been his manager at IlkestonA Strange Season in Solitude and former teammate at Grimsby. He made his debut for the Belfast club in the final of the 1996–97 County Antrim Shield and he saved a penalty in the penalty shootout, ensuring Cliftonville won the trophy for the first time since 1979. He subsequently wore the number one shirt during the club's Irish League title winning season the following yearJeepers Keepers! and became established as a club legend in the eyes of the supporters.News: August 2008 Reece would also appear for the Reds in the UEFA Champions League qualifier against MFK Košice the following season.
Reece subsequently returned to Ilkeston Town, remaining on the club's books until his retirement from playing in 2003. He worked as a goalkeeping coach for Nottingham Forest, Mansfield Town and the Derby County youth team before fulfilling the same role at football training camps.Reece, Paul
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsStoke City1986–87Second Division2000000020Grimsby Town1988–89Fourth Division1403020202101989–90Fourth Division1502010202001990–91Third Division00000000001991–92Second Division250000000250Total540503040560Doncaster Rovers1992–93Third Division1000000010Oxford United1992–93First Division3502010003801993–94First Division4000201070Total390203010450Notts County1994–95First Division110001030150West Bromwich Albion1995–96First Division1000000010Career total10807070801300
References