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Another product of the highly regarded Motherwell Youth Development programme, Paul Quinn quietly established himself as an important part of the Motherwell first team squad before being named skipper of the club at the age of just twenty-two. In a year career in the 'Well first team 'Coach' would go on to play over 180 times for his local team.
An assured defender, comfortable in any position along the backline, Paul made his debut for the Dossers as a substitute in December 2002 against Celtic in a 3-1 defeat at Parkhead. He started his first game shortly after against Aberdeen and kept his place the following weekend against Dundee. He managed a further appearance before the 02’03 season concluded starting in the famous 6-2 win over Livingston on the final day.
Quinn made a couple of appearances early in the 03’04 season but it was around the turn of the year when he would fully establish himself in the team. An injury to Welshman David Partridge saw Terry Butcher re-shuffle pack with Martyn Corrigan moving to central-defence and Coach coming in at right-back.
Having played most of his football in his formative years at centre-half he had to adapt quickly to the rigours of playing right full-back. It was a steep learning curve for the Wishaw lad but it was to prove a fruitful combination and the solid back line provided the platform for the team to go and secure a top six finish. Paul’s performance throughout that season were rewarded with International honours as he, along with team-mates Kenny Wright and David Clarkson, were called to represent the Scotland U19 side to face Finland, Poland and Austria in the European Championship Qualifiers.
With the return to fitness and the subsequent form of David Partridge, Paul initially found it tough going to break back into the side in the early part of the 04’05 season. To Paul's credit though when selected by Terry Butcher in October, he did enough to warrant twenty league starts and was also involved in the fine run to the CIS Cup Final, earning himself a runners-up medal. Regular call-ups to the Scotland U21 squad also followed as Paul progressed through the international set-up.
A bit like the team, the 2005'06 season for Paul was something of a mixed-bag. With Martyn Corrigan out injured for several months, Coach began the season back once more at right full-back, while also getting a rare start in central defence in the derby league cup win over Hamilton.
When Steven Hammell was out injured Paul then featured at left-back and did so well that on Hammell’s return, the Scotland internationalist was briefly shunted to midfield as Paul kept his place.
Unfortunately like so many of his team-mates it was Paul's turn to succumb to injury and from mid-December his season was basically a write off.
He did make it back for the last 3 games of the 05'06 season with his selection putting to bed some rumours of an impending transfer due to a fall out with the management behind the scenes.
With Martyn Corrigan again missing the opening months of the 06'07 season it fell to Paul to fill in at right back in the Kaiser's absence and he started every game up until the 2-1 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in December, when Corrigan returned to his regular right back berth.
While recognised as a player cable of competently playing in many positions, Coach was often the first to be sacrificed when the recognised "first-choice" returned to fitness.
That was exactly the scenario that faced him when he failed to start any games between Boxing Day and the beginning of May, making just 3 substitute appearances in that time. And when he came back into the side it was only as a result of an injury to Danny Murphy.
Again summer speculation had the defender moving away from Motherwell but within days of the departure of Maurice Malpas in the summer of 2007 Coach had signed on tom further extend his stay with the Steelmen. It would seem to have been a significant decision to stay.
Given the nod by Mark McGhee in the right-back role Quinn made the position his own to the extent that the long-serving Martyn Corrigan was allowed to move on.
Upon the tragic death of Phil O'Donnell it was Quinn who was named the new club captain for spell in the aftermath.
As both player and club struggled to recapture their form of last season one of the high points of the early part of the campaign was seeing Quinn break through the 150 appearance mark for his local club.
Both player and club however returned to type in the second half of the season as the Steelmen narrowly missed out on a another top half finish.
One of the season's highlights for many was Paul firing home a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Celtic at Fir Park in February.
Having been involved in and around the first team for seven years Paul had made 183 league and cup appearances for 'Well before the club reluctantly decided to accept an offer from Cardiff City in the summer of 2009 which saw Quinn move south to progress his career in the English Championship.
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D.O.B:
21/07/1985
Born:
Lanark
Height:
6' 1'
Weight:
12st 2Ibs
Signed From:
MFC Youth
Sold To:
Cardiff City
Position:
Defender
International Caps:
 0
International Goals:
0
2009/10 Squad No:
-
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