Paul Watson (footballer, born 1990)

Paul Watson (born 20 December 1990) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Scottish League Two club The Spartans.

Paul Watson

Personal information
Date of birth	(1990-12-20) 20 December 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth	Edinburgh, Scotland
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position(s)	Centre-back
Team information
Current team	The Spartans
Number	44
Youth career
–2006	Hutchison Vale BC
2006–2009	Ipswich Town U18s
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2008–2009	Ipswich Town	0	(0)
2009–2013	Livingston	109	(6)
2013–2015	Raith Rovers	58	(2)
2015–2018	Falkirk	56	(3)
2018–2020	Dundee United	42	(4)
2020–2021	Dunfermline Athletic	29	(2)
2022–2023	Falkirk	11	(3)
2023–	The Spartans	2	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 19:58, 19 October 2023 (UTC)

Career

Livingston

Former Livingston manager Gary Bollan signed Watson from Ipswich Town in August 2009. He helped the club win the Scottish Third Division, in his first season at Almondvale.^[2] The next season, he helped Livingston win the Scottish Second Division title^[3] by making 33 appearances for the West Lothian club.^[4] Watson subsequently signed a new two-year contract, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2013.^[5]

Raith Rovers

Watson signed for Raith Rovers on 17 July 2013.^[6]

On 12 June 2015, it was confirmed that Watson would not be renewing his contract with the club.^[7]

Falkirk

On 19 July 2015, it was announced that Watson had joined Falkirk. He was released by Falkirk at the end of the 2017–18 season.^[8]

Dundee United

On 20 July 2018, Watson signed for Dundee United, agreeing a two-year contract.^[9] After winning the Scottish Championship with them in the 2019–20 season, Watson was released by United at the end of COVID-19-shortened season.^[10]

Dunfermline Athletic

On 29 June 2020, Watson was announced as Dunfermline Athletic's first summer signing, joining the Scottish Championship side on a two-year deal.^[11][12]

On 19 October 2021, Watson left Dunfermline Athletic via mutual consent.^[13]

Return to Falkirk

On 24 January 2022, Watson returned to Falkirk on an 18-month contract.^[14]

The Spartans

On 25 August 2023, Watson made a move to newly promoted Scottish League Two side The Spartans.^[15]

Career statistics

As of 25 September 2021

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Scottish Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Livingston	2009–10[16][17]	Scottish Third Division	26	1	3	0	0	0	0	0	29	1
	2010–11[4][17]	Scottish Second Division	33	1	1	0	0	0	1[a]	0	35	1
	2011–12[18][17]	Scottish First Division	32	1	2	0	2	0	4[a]	0	40	1
	2012–13[19][17]		18	3	0	0	2	0	1[a]	0	21	3
	Total		109	6	6	0	4	0	6	0	125	6
Raith Rovers	2013–14[20][17]	Scottish Championship	22	1	2	0	2	0	5[a]	0	31	1
	2014–15[21]		36	1	4	1	2	0	1[a]	0	43	2
	Total		58	2	6	1	4	0	6	0	74	3
Falkirk	2015–16[22]	Scottish Championship	27	3	1	1	3	0	5[b]	1	36	5
	2016–17[23]		11	0	1	0	4	0	3[c]	0	19	0
	2017–18[24]		18	0	1	0	4	0	1[a]	0	24	0
	Total		56	3	3	1	11	0	9	1	79	5
Dundee United	2018–19[25]	Scottish Championship	23	4	1	0	1	0	4[d]	0	29	4
	2019–20[26]		19	0	1	0	2	1	1[a]	0	23	1
	Total		42	4	2	0	3	1	5	0	52	5
Dunfermline Athletic	2020–21[27]	Scottish Championship	23	2	0	0	6	1	2[d]	0	31	3
	2021–22[28]		6	0	0	0	5	0	0	0	11	0
	Total		29	2	0	0	11	1	2	0	42	3
Career total			294	17	17	2	33	2	28	1	372	22

1. Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup
2. Three appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup; two appearances and a goal in the Premiership play-offs
3. Two appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup and one in the Premiership play-offs
4. Appearances in the Scottish Premiership play-offs

Honours

Livingston

• Scottish Third Division: 2009–10
• Scottish Second Division: 2010–11

Raith Rovers

• Scottish Challenge Cup: 2013–14^[29]

Dundee United

• Scottish Championship: 2019–20