Paul_Conlon_(footballer)
Paul Conlon (footballer)
English footballer
Paul Robert Conlon (born 5 January 1978) is an English former footballer who played for Hartlepool United, Sunderland, Gateshead and Doncaster Rovers. He is currently serving 11 years and 10 months in prison for manslaughter.[1]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Paul Robert Conlon | ||
| Date of birth | (1978-01-05) 5 January 1978 (age 46) | ||
| Place of birth | Sunderland, England | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1995–1996 | Hartlepool United | 15 | (4) |
| 1996–1997 | Sunderland | 0 | (0) |
| 1996 | → Gateshead (loan) | ? | (?) |
| 1997–1998 | Doncaster Rovers | 14 | (1) |
| 1998–2010 | Gateshead | ? | (?) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Conlon started his playing career for Hartlepool United. Conlon made his first appearance for Pools as a substitute in a 0–0 draw away to Torquay United in February 1996.[2] Two weeks later, Conlon started his first game for the club and scored after just 93 seconds in a 4–1 win against Leyton Orient.[3] His subsequent form led to Conlon being watched by numerous scouts.[3]
In 1996, Conlon controversially signed for Sunderland for free due to a mix-up in his Hartlepool contract[4] which led Pools boss Keith Houchen to accuse Sunderland of "doing the dirty" on them.[5] Conlon was released a year later failing to make an appearance for the Black Cats.
Following his departure from Sunderland, Conlon played for Doncaster Rovers and Gateshead.
In 2004, Conlon was fined £250 and received a lifetime ban from the Durham FA after attacking a referee in a Sunday League game.[5]
Conlon received an 18-month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to assaulting his wife in September 2013.[6]
On 15 July 2021, Conlon was jailed for 11 years and 10 months for killing his father Harry Conlon on Christmas Eve, 2020.[1]
- "Ex-Sunderland footballer Paul Conlon jailed for killing father". BBC News. 15 July 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- "Paul Conlon". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- "Sunderland killer's dream Hartlepool United debut helped clinch Premier League move home". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- "Ex-Sunderland, Doncaster, Hartlepool player admits killing his own father". Fan Banter. 25 May 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- "Shocking moment ref was attacked". Chronicle Live. 28 January 2004. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- "Ex-player hit wife in affair row". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- Paul Conlon at Soccerbase