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Players Index Page Last Updated
6 October 2020
 
 

Paul Merson

Arsenal FC, Middlesbrough FC, Aston Villa FC

21 appearances, 3 goals

P 21 W 5 D 9 L 7 F 26: A 22
*(actual F 15: A 11)
45% successful

1991-99

disciplined: none
captain:
none
minutes played:
1033

Profile

Full name Paul Charles Merson (*Actual for and against are the goals scored
while the player was on the field.)
Born 20 March 1968 in Harlesden, Greater London [registered in Brent, March 1968].
notes: Brent replaced Willesden to become part of the Greater London registration county in 1965.
Married twice, to Lorraine Costin [registered in St. Albans, June 1990], then to Louise A. Bache [registered in Westminster, May 2002]
Height/Weight 6' 0", 13st. 2lbs [2004].

Source

Barry Hugman's PFA Yearbook [2005] & Ancestry.com

Biographies How Not to Be a Professional Footballer - Paul Merson (HarperSport, reprint 1 March 2012)
Hero and Villain - Paul Merson with Ian Ridley (Willow, September 2000)
Hero and Villain: A Year in the Life of Paul Merson - Paul Merson with Ian Ridley (Willow, 20 September 1999)
Rock Bottom - Paul Merson (Bloomsbury Publishing, May 1996)
 

x. - A Football Compendium, Peter J. Seddon (1999).

Club Career

Club(s) Played with Brent Schools and Kingsbury's Forest United FC. He was tracked by Arsenal FC, Watford FC, Chelsea FC and Queen's Park Rangers FC, he chose to train with Watford, but it was Arsenal he signed associated schoolboy forms with in April 1982. He then signed as a YTS trainee in 1984. Signed professional terms on 1 December 1985 making his Arsenal debut in November 1986. Loaned out to Brentford FC on 22 January 1987, playing in six league appearances. His successful stint at Highbury saw him make 289 league appearances, scoring 78 times. Despite being offered a new contract, Merson decided to join second tier side Middlesbrough AFC on 15 July 1997, who were doubling his salary, so he was sold to the relegated club in a £4.5 million deal - making him the most expensive player ever signed by a non-Premier League club. And after successfully guiding the Boro back into the Premier League, scoring twelve times in 48 league matches, Merson moved to Aston Villa FC for £6.75 million on 10 September 1998, 101 Premier League appearances followed, as did eighteen goals. A move to Portsmouth FC was next on 8 August 2002 on a free transfer, with another 44 league matches and twelve goals. On 18 July 2003, Merson joined Walsall FC, whom he eventually took over the manager's seat in 2004. He was sacked on 6 February 2006, he had played 68 league matches, scoring six times. Merson returned to playing with Conference side Tamworth FC, but played only once, he retired from playing on 9 March 2006.
Club honours Football League Champions 1988-89, 1990-91; FA Charity Shield runners-up 1989, 1993, winners 1991; Football League Cup winners 1992-93, runners-up 1997-98; FA Cup winners 1992-93, runners-up 1999-2000; UEFA European Cup Winners Cup winners 1993-94, runners-up 1994-95; UEFA Super Cup runners-up 1994; Football League Division One runners-up 1997-98, winners 2002-03; UEFA Intertoto Cup winners 2001;
Individual honours PFA... Young Player of the Year 1988-89; Division One Team of the Year 1997-98, 2002-03; League One Team of the Year 2004-0;
FA Premier League Player of the Month
February 2000;
BBC Match of the Day Goal of the Month
2 May 2001 vs. Coventry City FC;
Distinctions None

Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990].

England Career

Player number One of two who became the 1033rd players (1033) to appear for England.
Merson came onto the field a second before Paul Stewart
Position(s) Midfielder
First match No. 677, 11 September 1991, England 0 Germany 1, a friendly match at Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London, substitute (67), aged 23 years 175 days.
Last match No. 754, 18 November 1998, England 2 Czech Republic 0, a friendly match at Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London, substituted (77), aged 30 years 243 days.
Major tournaments European Championship Finals 1992; World Cup Finals 1998;
Team honours None
Individual honours England B (four appearances), England U21 (four appearances), England Youth
Distinctions The fiftieth Londoner to represent England.

England Disgrace

Paul Merson's career was put on the line in November 1994 when he admitted to being an alcoholic and cocaine addict. The Football Association arranged for Merson to undergo a three-month rehabilitation programme and he returned to the side in February 1995.  In February 2004, Merson admitted himself to the Sierra Tucson Clinic in Arizona to seek help for his gambling addiction under the advice and financial backing of the PFA. In October 2011, Merson was involved in a car crash with a lorry on the M40 near Warwick, UK and arrested for drink-driving.

Beyond England

Carved out a successful career in Football punditary, particularly with Sky Sports. In February 2012, Merson agreed to play for Chiswick & District Sunday League side Whitton Athletic FC, he played three games scoring once against Hanwell United FC. On 28 March 2012, he made a one-off appearance for Mid Wales Football League side Welshpool Town FC. Merson scored the opening goal in the 4-1 defeat.

 

Paul Merson - Career Statistics
Squads Apps comp. apps Starts Sub on Sub off Mins. Goals goals ave.min comp. goals Capt. Disc.
36+ 21 11 9 12 5 1033 3 344 min 0 none none
minutes are an approximation, due to the fact that many matches rarely stick to exactly ninety minutes long, allowing time for injuries and errors.

 

Paul Merson - Match Record - All Matches
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
Home 8 3 3 2 14 6 +8 3 2 1.75 0.75 56.3 +1
Away 8 2 2 4 8 11 -3 1 2 1.00 1.375 37.5 -2
Neutral 5 0 4 1 4 5 -1 2 2 0.80 1.00 40.0 -1
All 21 5 9 7 26 22 +4 6 6 1.238 1.048 45.2 -2

 

Paul Merson - Match Record - By Colour of Shirt
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
White 15 3 7 5 15 15 =0 5 5 1.00 1.00 43.3 -2
Blue 2 0 1 1 2 3 -1 1 0 1.00 1.50 25.0 -1
Red 4 2 1 1 9 4 +5 0 1 2.25 1.00 62.5 +1
All 21 5 9 7 26 22 +4 6 6 1.238 1.048 45.2 -2

 

Paul Merson - Match Record - By Type of Match
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L

WCP

4 0 2 2 3 6 -3 2 0 0.75 1.50 25.0 -2
WCF 1 0 1 0 2 2 -0 0 0 2.00 2.00 50.0 =0
World Cup 5 0 3 2 5 8 -3 2 0 1.00 1.60 30.0 -2

ECP

1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0 0 1.00 2.00 0.00 -1
ECF 2 0 1 1 1 2 -1 1 1 0.50 1.00 25.0 -1
European Championship 3 0 1 2 2 4 -2 1 1 0.667 1.333 16.7 -2
Minor Tournament 3 0 2 1 2 3 -1 1 1 0.667 1.00 33.3 -1
Friendly 10 5 3 2 17 7 +10 2 4 1.70 0.70 65.0 +3
All 21 5 9 7 26 22 +4 6 6 1.238 1.048 45.2 -2

 

Paul Merson - Match Record - Tournament Matches
World Cup Preliminary Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
WCP 1992-94 3 0 2 1 3 5 -2 1 0 1.00 1.667 33.3 -1
WCP 1996-98 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 1 0 0.00 1.00 0.00 -1
WCP All 4 0 2 2 3 6 -3 2 0 0.75 1.50 25.0 -2
World Cup Final Tournament
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
WCF 1998 1 0 1 0 2 2 -0 0 0 2.00 2.00 50.0 =0
WCF All 1 0 1 0 2 2 -0 0 0 2.00 2.00 50.0 =0
World Cup
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
WC 1992-94 3 0 2 1 3 5 -2 1 0 1.00 1.667 33.3 -1
WC 1996-98 2 0 1 1 2 3 -1 1 0 1.00 1.50 25.0 -1
WC All 5 0 3 2 5 8 -3 2 0 1.00 1.60 30.0 -2
European Championship Preliminary Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
ECP 1998-2000 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0 0 1.00 2.00 0.00 -1
ECP All 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0 0 1.00 2.00 0.00 -1
European Championship Final Tournament
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
ECF 1992 2 0 1 1 1 2 -1 1 1 0.50 1.00 25.0 -1
ECF All 2 0 1 1 1 2 -1 1 1 0.50 1.00 25.0 -1
European Championship
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
EC 1990-92 2 0 1 1 1 2 -1 1 1 0.50 1.00 25.0 -1
EC 1998-2000 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0 0 1.00 2.00 0.00 -1
EC All 3 0 1 2 2 4 -2 1 1 0.667 1.333 16.7 -2
Minor Tournaments/Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
US Cup 1993 2 0 1 1 2 3 -1 0 0 1.00 1.50 25.0 -1
King Hassan 1998 1 0 1 0 0 0 =0 1 1 0.00 0.00 50.0 =0
TC All 3 0 2 1 2 3 -1 1 1 0.667 1.00 33.3 -1
All Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
WC 5 0 3 2 5 8 -3 2 0 1.00 1.60 30.0 -2
EC 3 0 1 2 2 4 -2 1 1 0.667 1.333 16.7 -2
TC 3 0 2 1 2 3 -1 1 1 0.667 1.00 33.3 -1
All 11 0 6 5 9 15 -6 4 2 0.818 1.364 54.5 -5

 

Paul Merson - Match History
 Club: Arsenal F.C. - 15 full appearances

manager: Graham Taylor - 13 full capsx

Age 23
1 677 11 September 1991 - England 0 Germany 1, Wembley Stadium, Wembley Fr HL sub 67 16
0-1 when substituting
- 678 16 October 1991 - England 1 Turkey 0, Wembley Stadium, Wembley ECP HW unused sub 15
1 b 18 December 1991 - Spain Olympic 0 England 1, Castellón Fr AW Start off 81 11
2 b 18 February 1992 - England 3 France 0, Rangers Stadium, Shepherds Bush Fr HW Start 8
Age 24
2 681 25 March 1992 - Czechoslovakia 2 England 2, Stadion Evzena Rošického, Praha Fr AD Start 28 8
3 683 12 May 1992 - Hungary 0 England 1, Népstadion, Budapest Fr AW Start off ht 8
0-0 when substituted
4 684 17 May 1992 - England 1 Brazil 1, Wembley Stadium, Wembley Fr HL sub 62 16
1-1 when substituting
5 685 3 June 1992 - Finland 1 England 2, Olympiastadion, Helsinki Fr AW sub 17 16
0-0 when substituting
6 686 11 June 1992 - Denmark 0 England 0, Malmö Stadion, Malmö ECF ND Start off 61 16
0-0 when subbed
- 687 14 June 1992 - France 0 England 0, Malmö Stadion, Malmö ND unused sub
7 688 17 June 1992 - Sweden 2 England 1, Råsunda Fotbollstadion, Solna AL sub 76
1-1 when subbing
8 689 9 September 1992 - Spain 1 England 0, Estádio El Sardinero, Santander Fr AL sub 78 16
1-0 when substituting
9 690 14 October 1992 - England 1 Norway 1, Wembley Stadium, Wembley WCP HD sub 68 16
1-0 when substituting
- 691 18 November 1992 - England 4 Turkey 0, Wembley Stadium, Wembley HW unused sub 14
- 692 17 February 1993 - England 6 San Marino 0, Wembley Stadium, Wembley WCP HW unused sub 14
Age 25
10 694 28 April 1993 - England 2 Netherlands 2, Wembley Stadium, Wembley WCP HD sub ht 14
2-1 when substituting
- 697 9 June 1993 - United States 2 England 0, Foxboro Stadium, Foxboro TC AL unused sub 17
11 698 13 June 1993 - England 1 Brazil 1, RFK Stadium, Washington ND sub 82
1-1 when subbing
12 699 19 June 1993 - Germany 2 England 1, Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac NL Start
13 701 13 October 1993 - Netherlands 2 England 0, Stadion Feijenoord, Rotterdam WCP AL Start off 69 8
2-0 when substituted
- 702 17 November 1993 - San Marino 1 England 7, Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna WCP AW unused sub 15
 

Coach: Terry Venables - 1 full capx

Age 26
14 704 17 May 1994 - England 5 Greece 0, Wembley Stadium, Wembley Fr HW Start 8
- 705 22 May 1994 - England 0 Norway 0, Wembley Stadium, Wembley Fr AW squad member
 

Coach: Glenn Hoddle - 7 full capx

Age 28
15 730 12 February 1997 - England 0 Italy 1, Wembley Stadium, Wembley WCP HL sub 76 16
0-1 when substituting
 Club: Middlesbrough F.C. - 5 full appearances  
Age 29
3 b 10 February 1998 - England B 1 Chile 2, The Hawthorns, West Bromwich Fr HL captain 10
Age 30
16 742 25 March 1998 - Switzerland 1 England 1, Wankdorfstadion, Bern Fr AD Start 70 off 80 8
1-1 when substituted
4 b 21 April 1998 - England B 4 Russia B 1, Rangers Stadium, Shepherds Bush Fr HW Start 6
17 743 22 April 1998 - England 3 Portugal 0, Wembley Stadium, Wembley Fr HW sub ht 16
1-0 when substituting
- 744 23 May 1998 - England 0 Saudi Arabia 0, Wembley Stadium, Wembley Fr HD unused sub 16
- 745 27 May 1998 - Morocco 0 England 1, Complexe Sportif Mohammed V, Casablanca TC AW squad member
18 746 29 May 1998 - Belgium 0 England 0, Complexe Sportif Mohammed V, Casablanca   ND Start 10
scored penalty in shootout
- 747 15 June 1998 - England 2 Tunisia 0, Le Stade Vélodrome, Marseille WCF NW unused sub 15
- 748 22 June 1998 - Romania 2 England 1, Stade Municipal, Toulouse NL unused sub
- 749 26 June 1998 - England 2 Colombia 0, Stade Félix-Bollaert, Lens NW unused sub
19 750 30 June 1998 - Argentina 2 England 2, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne ND sub 78

2-2 when substituting

scored penalty in shootout
20 751 5 September 1998 - Sweden 2 England 1, Råsunda Fotbollstadion, Solna ECP AL sub 75 18

2-1 when substituting

 Club: Aston Villa F.C. - 1 full cap  
- 752 10 October 1998 - England 0 Bulgaria 0, Wembley Stadium, Wembley ECP HD squad member
- 753 14 October 1998 - Luxembourg 0 England 3, Stade Josy Barthel, Stad Lëtzebuerg AW
21 754 18 November 1998 - England 2 Czech Republic 0, Wembley Stadium, Wembley Fr HW Start 39 off 77 11

2-0 when substituted

 

Coach: Howard Wilkinson - 0 full capsx

- 755 10 February 1999 - England 0 France 2, Wembley Stadium, Wembley Fr HL withdrawn squad member

Notes

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CG