Biography
Hull-born left sided midfielder Paul Waites played for Hull Schoolboys side that reached the final of the 1986 English Schools’ Under-15s Trophy while studying at Sydney Smith School – the plaudits were shared with their opponents from Middlesbrough Schools after two 1-1 draws in the two-legged final. He then came through the Hull City Youth Training Scheme during the mid 1980s, showing versatility in the City Reserves by playing in a range of defensive and midfield positions. A self-confessed lively character, Waites’ ability to play football was not always matched by his ability to train and keep out of trouble, though he credited City coach Tom Wilson with improving his attitude.
City manager Stan Ternent gave Paul a first team debut in the penultimate match of the 1989/90 season and after being entrusted to spend the summer training in New Zealand as part of the club’s exchange visit arrangements, Ternent turned to Waites again in November 1990 as the Tigers struggled at the foot of the Division Two table. Waites started eight consecutive games and scored his only City goal in a 1-3 Associate Members’ Cup defeat at Middlesbrough. When Ternent was sacked and Terry Dolan took over during the early weeks of 1991, Waites was taken out of the first team but returned for three starts in April. Alas the season finished in relegation to the third tier and during the 1991/92 season Waites was given no first team action by Dolan – instead he was transfer listed and in November 1991 he was loaned to West Yorkshire non-league side Guiseley – he returned two months later having torn medial ligaments in his left knee. Waites left The Tigers in the 1992 close season.
In August 1992 Waites joined Northern Counties East League side North Ferriby United, who were managed by ex-Tiger Peter Daniel. After a successful season cut short by injury in March 1993 Waites emigrated to Australia and played for Western Australia side North Perth Croatians before returning to Hull in November 1993 and rejoining North Ferriby United. He began the 1994/95 season across the Humber at Immingham Town while also playing for Chalk Lane and trying his hand at local level Rugby League. In July 1995 he joined Hall Road Rangers and served the Dene Park side for two years before joining Brigg Town in the summer of 1997. A year later he returned to Hall Road Rangers but remained for only six months, then in August 1999 he rejoined North Ferriby United for a final season.
After football Paul worked as a telephone engineer in the Hull area. His son Charlie had spells in the Hull City and Leeds United academies as a youngster.
Details
Nationality: England
Date/Place of Birth: 24 January 1971, Hull
Hull City First Game: 1 May 1990, Ipswich Town H (Division Two), 19 years, 97 days old
Hull City Final Game: 27 April 1991, Brighton & Hove Albion H (Division Two), 20 years, 93 days old
Clubs
Hull City (1987-1992), Guiseley (1991, loan), North Ferriby United (1992-1993), North Perth Croatians (1993), North Ferriby United (1993-1994), Immingham Town (1994-1995), Hall Road Rangers (1995-1997), Brigg Town (1997-1998), Hall Road Rangers (1998-1999), North Ferriby United (1999-2000)
Hull City Record
Career: 13 apps, 1 goals
Paul Waites| Season | LGE App | LGE Gls | FAC App | FAC Gls | FLC App | FLC Gls | EUR App | EUR Gls | OTH App | OTH Gls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987/88 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1988/89 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1989/90 | 1 (0) | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1990/91 | 10 (0) | 0 | 1 (0) | 0 | – | – | – | – | 1 (0) | 1 |
| 1991/92 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |