Paul McKay (footballer, born 1996)

Paul McKay
Personal information
Full name Paul McKay[1]
Date of birth (1996-11-19) 19 November 1996 (age 28)
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland[2]
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[3]
Position(s) Centre back
Team information
Current team
 Clyde
Number 14
Youth career
2006–2014 Doncaster Rovers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2016 Doncaster Rovers 1 (0)
2015 → Ilkeston FC (loan) 5 (0)
2015 → Gainsborough Trinity (loan) 10 (1)
2016–2017 Leeds United 0 (0)
2018–2019 Cardiff City 0 (0)
2019 → Morecambe (loan) 7 (0)
2019–2021 Airdrieonians 50 (4)
2021–2024 Queen of the South 72 (3)
2024– Clyde 15 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21 December 2024

Paul McKay (born 19 November 1996) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Scottish League Two club Clyde. McKay has previously played for Doncaster Rovers, Leeds United, Cardiff City, Airdrieonians and Queen of the South. McKay has also had loan spells with Ilkeston, Gainsborough Trinity and Morecambe.

McKay was born in Glasgow and played youth football with the Doncaster Rovers Academy as well as studying at Hill House School, before starting his professional career with the club.[4]

Club career

Doncaster Rovers

On 1 September 2015, McKay made his professional debut for Doncaster Rovers in a first round win in the Football League Trophy versus Burton Albion. McKay started the match that the club won 5–3 on penalties after a goalless draw.[5][6]

Ilkeston FC (loan)

In October 2015, McKay and his twin brother Jack went out on loan to Ilkeston to gain first-team experience.[7]

Leeds United

On 11 January 2016, McKay and his brother Jack both signed for Leeds United for undisclosed fees on two-and-a-half-year contracts under then head coach Steve Evans.[8][9]

During the pre-season of the 2016-17, McKay was involved in the first-team squad, playing regularly in pre-season due to the departure of centre-back Giuseppe Bellusci and the injury to Liam Cooper.[10][11]

On 29 January 2017, McKay made his Leeds debut versus Sutton United in the FA Cup.[12]

On 17 December 2017, McKay and his brother Jack ended their contracts by mutual consent.

Cardiff City

On 22 January 2018, McKay signed for Cardiff City on a two-and-a-half-year contract after an extended trial with the club.[13][14]

In January 2019, McKay was loaned out to League Two club Morecambe for the remainder of the 2018-19 season.[15]

Airdrieonians

In July 2019, McKay signed for Scottish League One club Airdrieonians.[16] where he primarily played as a midfielder until his departure on 31 May 2021.

Queen of the South

On 9 June 2021, McKay signed a one-year deal with Scottish Championship club Queen of the South.[17]

On 23 February 2022, McKay extended his deal to remain at the Doonhamers for another two seasons until the summer of 2024.[18]

On 27 August 2022, McKay was sent-off for violent conduct in the 84th minute, in a 3–1 defeat away to Falkirk in Scottish League One.[19]

Personal life

McKay's father Willie McKay and his older brother Mark are both football agents.[20] His twin brother, Jack McKay is also a professional footballer.[21]

Career statistics

As of 22 September 2023
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Doncaster Rovers 2014–15 League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2015–16 League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
Gainsborough Trinity (loan) 2015–16 National League North 10 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 1
Leeds United 2016–17 Championship 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2017–18 Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Cardiff City 2017–18 Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2018–19 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Morecambe (loan) 2018–19 League Two 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
Airdrieonians 2019–20 Scottish League One 26 4 2 0 0 0 3 0 31 4
2020-21 Scottish League One 24 0 1 0 4 1 3 0 32 1
Total 50 4 3 0 4 1 6 0 63 5
Queen of the South 2021-22 Scottish Championship 16 0 2 0 1 0 3 0 22 0
2022-23 Scottish League One 26 1 1 0 3 0 2 0 32 1
2023-24 Scottish League One 5 0 0 0 4 1 1 0 10 1
Total 47 1 3 0 8 1 6 0 64 2
Career total 114 6 7 0 12 2 13 0 146 8

References

  1. ^ "Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Cardiff City" (PDF). English Football League. p. 12. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Sky Sports Scout reports on young defender Paul McKay". Sky Sports. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  3. ^ Barnes, Stuart (2016). Nationwide football annual : 2016–2017. SportsBooks Limited. p. 479. ISBN 978-1-907524-52-3. OCLC 950638023.
  4. ^ "Donny Bag Dynamic Duo". Doncaster Rovers F.C. 21 November 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  5. ^ "Doncaster Rovers F.C. Player Profiles". Doncaster Rovers F.C. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  6. ^ "Doncaster Vs Burton Albion". Sky Sports. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  7. ^ "Loan Signing: Paul McKay". Ilkeston F.C. 8 October 2015. Archived from the original on 18 September 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  8. ^ "UNITED COMPLETE DEAL FOR MCKAY BROTHERS". Leeds United. 11 January 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  9. ^ The Guardian, 17 February 2019 everything a little too cosy in footballs game of family fortunes
  10. ^ "SQUAD CONFIRMED FOR IRISH TRIP". Leeds United. 4 July 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  11. ^ "WOOD + ROOFE STRIKES SEE OFF ATALANTA". Leeds United. 30 July 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  12. ^ "MATCHDAY: Sutton United Vs Leeds LIVE". BBC Sport. 29 January 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  13. ^ "Four new signings link up with the Bluebirds!". Cardiff City FC. 22 January 2018.
  14. ^ Phil Hay (18 December 2017). "Leeds United: Whites twins link up with former boss Warnock at Cardiff City". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  15. ^ "Paul McKay: Cardiff City defender joins Morecambe on loan for rest of season". BBC Sport. 4 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  16. ^ "Diamonds land defender McKay". Airdrieonians FC. 19 July 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  17. ^ "QosFC: Welcome Paul McKay".
  18. ^ "QosFC: New Deal for Paul".
  19. ^ "Falkirk v Queen of the South". BBC Sport.
  20. ^ Booth, Dominic (24 January 2019). "Who is football agent Mark McKay, his relationship with Emiliano Sala, Cardiff City and his academy twin brothers?". WalesOnline. Media Wales. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  21. ^ "Paul McKay Signs Pro Contract". Doncaster Rovers F.C. 18 August 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2015.