Paul Hames

Paul is midway his fourth term as manager of Hesketh Casuals B team as he began steering his loosely run ship on its maiden voyage of the Lancashire Amateur League Division 7 back in September 2004. As well as running the team, Paul regularly partakes in goalkeeping, a position that was not originally meant for the player/gaffer, but one which he assumed given the lack of options. Although seemingly first choice keeper (probably because he is the manager) Paul also enjoys a cameo outfield appearance and has played a couple of times, scoring one (spectacular) goal.

Born in Southport in 1983 Paul began his amateur playing days at the highly successful Southport Trinity under the leadership of Keith Maguire. Towards the latter days of Trinitys existence (this particular age group folded at under 16 level) he was honoured to captain the blue and white striped Sandgrounders. Paul began his career at Trinity as a right footed left-back and ended up as a central midfielder and a (very) occasional striker. Following the demise of Trinity, Paul faced an uncertain future, taking trials at the mighty Y.M.C.A and Arganaughts. The temptation of playing with some of the finest players in Southport could not convince Paul to take up a full time contract with either outfit and he decided to see out his junior playing days with league winners Birkdale Utd. It was at Birkdale where Paul genuinely did play with some of the best players in town on a week-to-week basis in training, having spent most of the season keeping his quid match subscription for freezing his balls off each week. A small price to play for featuring in the last 4 minutes of the cup final at Haigh Avenue I think not.

When junior football was no longer possible as a result of old age, Paul and fellow Casual Andy Walker joined Hesketh Casuals then third team under the stewardship of Martin Howard. They played a few games but then realised they couldnt be arsed. Three years in the wilderness at University encouraged Paul to once again pull on the boots and get his knees dirty (a common occurrence these days) and rejoin Casuals. Although the thought of running ones own team consisting of friends and family was an initially good idea, the strain of selection and the difficulty in keeping ones face straight when listening to cry-off excuses seemed too much to bare. In the 3 and a half years numerous players have represented the black and blue of Cassies B some of them were signed on too.