April 28, 1990, remains one of the finest days in Exeter City's history as, on the back of an incredible home record, we secured our first title in our club's history. During this month we will be taking a look back - in alphabetical order - of the main players in that title winning side. This time we look at a reliable and versatile player who made 20 appearances during the title winning campaign.
PAUL ESHELBY
WINGER
89/90 LEAGUE APPEARANCES: ONE
In just a short space of time, Paul Eshelby went from studying and playing non-league football to being an unexpected member of City's tite winning squad.
In 1989, Paul had no thoughts of becoming a professional footballer, as he continued coupling his student life with a summer job as a lifeguard.
Content with getting his football fix in the amateur game, Paul was playing on Saturday’s and Sunday’s for the Yorkshire side, Endcliffe United, when he was invited on trial at Exeter City.
Signing for the club in December 1989, Terry Cooper admitted that he gave the nineteen-year-old winger a contract after seeing him play in a trial match for just 10 minutes, and after playing regularly and scoring goals for the City reserve team, he was soon called up into the first team,
He made his full professional debut in the 1-1 draw at Wrexham in February 1990, although this would be his one and only outing of the promotion season, making him one of two players to make a solitary appearance for the champions.
While he continued to perform in the reserves, Paul never became a regular first team player, and was released before the end of the following season, signing for Scarborough in March 1991 having scored one goal in 10 appearances for the Grecians.
This article has been created using material from the Grecian Archive and ECFC Museum as part of the 'Celebrating our Heritage' programme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and supported by the University of Exeter.