Paul McAneny (born 11 November 1973) is a Scottish former footballer who played as a defender in the lower divisions of the Scottish Football League for teams including Alloa Athletic and Stenhousemuir.East Kilbride starlet aims for the top after Celtic and Scotland success, Paul Thomson, Daily Record, 19 October 2018Alloa's Challenge Cup winning squad back to mark anniversary, Chris Faulds, Alloa Advertiser, 4 November 2024
Club career Paul McAneny began his career at Scottish Second Division club Stirling Albion in 1993 and scored twice in five appearances for the club before leaving to join Scottish Third Division club Alloa Athletic on 7 October 1995.
He made his debut for Alloa Athletic on 4 September 1996 during the Scottish League Cup in a 5–1 loss against Celtic in which he also scored. He would then go on to win the 1997–98 Scottish Third Division title and the 1998–99 Scottish Challenge Cup with Alloa Athletic.Bell's Cup, scottishfootballleague.com. Scottish Football League. 2 November 2005. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
He joined Scottish Second Division Stenhousemuir on 1 July 2000 and made his debut for the club during the 4–3 victory against Queen of the South on 5 August 2000. He scored his only goal for Stenhousemuir during the 4–1 victory against Stranraer on 25 November 2000.
On 25 July 2001, McAneny joined Scottish Second Division club Greenock Morton on a three-month deal and he made his debut during the 4–1 victory against his former club Stenhousemuir on 4 August 2001. He left Greenock Morton on 28 September 2001 and subsequently joined Auchinleck Talbot.
He debuted for Auchinleck Talbot on 27 October 2001 during the 1–1 draw with a penalty shootout loss against Lesmahagow Juniors in the West of Scotland Junior Cup first round, and he scored his first goal for the club on 15 December 2001 during the 4–1 victory against Ashfield in the Scottish Senior Cup third round replay.
In December 2003 he scored during the 6–1 victory against Muirkirk Juniors. After leaving Auchinleck Talbot on 1 June 2004, McAneny joined Troon and left after the end of the 2004–05 season to join Hurlford United, where he won the SJFA West Region Ayrshire District League in 2007–08 and 2009–10.
He joined East Kilbride Thistle in 2010 and became player-assistant manager in 2012, notably scoring the equalising goal during the 1–1 draw against Bellshill on 27 April 2013. He then joined Larkhall Thistle as a player-assistant manager in early 2013 before joining Shotts Bon Accord as a player-assistant manager in late 2013.
He then joined West of Scotland League Second Division club Blantyre Victoria in July 2016, and he retired at the end of the 2017–18 season.
Personal life His daughter Maria McAneny is also a footballer who currently plays for Celtic.Alloa's Challenge Cup winning squad back to mark anniversary, Chris Faulds, Alloa Advertiser, 4 November 2024
Career statistics +Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueScottish CupScottish League CupScottish Challenge CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsStirling Albion1993–94Scottish Second Division41000000—411994–95Scottish Second Division11000000—11Total52000000—52Alloa Athletic1995–96Scottish Third Division00000000—001996–97Scottish Third Division21111100—441997–98Scottish Third Division232202010—2821998–99Scottish Second Division342203000—3921999–2000Scottish Second Division190001020—210Total785517130—937Stenhousemuir2000–01Scottish Second Division191102000—221Greenock Morton2001–02Scottish Second Division60001010—80Total251103010—301Auchinleck Talbot2001–02Ayrshire Division One60———1732332002–03WSJFA Premier League163———1603232003–04150———101251Total373———434807Career total14411611014043420816
Honours Alloa Athletic Scottish Football League Third Division: 1997–98 Scottish Challenge Cup: 1998–99
Auchinleck Talbot Scottish Junior Cup: runner-up 2001–02 East Ayrshire Cup: 2001–02 AJFA Sectional League Cup: 2002–03; runner-up 2003–04
Hurlford United SJFA West Region Ayrshire District League: 2007–08, 2009–10
References