Paul Medley

Infobox rugby league biography
playername = Paul Medley
fullname = Paul David Medley


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dateofbirth = birth date and age|1966|9|21
placeofbirth = Leeds
countryofbirth = England
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club1 = Leeds Rhinos
year1start = 1983
year1end = 1988
appearances1 =
tries1 =
goals1 =
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club2 = Halifax
year2start = 1988
year2end = 1989
appearances2 =
tries2 =
goals2 =
fieldgoals2 =
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club3 = Bradford Bulls
year3start = 1989
year3end = 1998
appearances3 =
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Paul Medley was a player for the Bradford Bulls.

He played 385 games and scored 149 tries in a career that lasted 15 years. He is now the team's community development manager.When Paul Medley arrived at Bradford in time for the 1989/90 season it is no secret that the Bradford pack wondered why Barry Seabourne had bothered! ‘He can run’ was about the only compliment paid him at the time by Messrs Hobbs, Skerrett, Fairbank, Hamer, Noble and Pendlebury, a fearsome Bradford ‘Six’ if ever there was one.

That Paul Medley gained the respect of his colleagues and became the idol of the Odsal fans says a lot for the determination that was the hallmark of Medley’s career from his early days at Leeds to his final games for Dewsbury last season.Paul’s early reputation was gained as a strong running back row forward and that was sustained throughout his career. At Leeds Paul was the idol of the South Stand crowd and one particular performance against Bradford, where he came on as a substitute and single-handedly turned a 21-8 deficit into a 24-21 victory in 23 minutes gave him cult status amongst the Loiners fans.

It’s history how he was sold to Halifax by Malcolm Reilly and, after only eight appearances, found himself at Odsal with the Northern version of the ‘Terrible Six’. A two try performance against Hull on his debut immediately endeared him to the Bradford faithful and his early Bradford career was marked by a Yorkshire Cup triumph over Featherstone.

It is a well-documented fact how Brian Smith came in and presided over the most massive clear out in the history of the club and Paul was one of the few players who remained as the club entered the new era of summer rugby and the Bulls. Two Wembley appearances in two years and a Super League Championship were fitting reward for a player who was short on medals throughout his career. In the second of two consecutive semi finals against the Rhinos, Paul had the satisfaction of scoring the winning try against the side who had so cruelly discarded him all those years before.

‘Super Sub’ was a name banded round the game when talking of Paul and there is no doubt that he made some remarkable appearances at crucial times in the game but to only remember him for that would be to unfair.Paul had a well-deserved Testimonial and played out his final season at Dewsbury where once again he picked up a losers medal in a final. Paul has now joined the Bulls as Community Development manager and his profile in the community will benefit the club in his new role.

Paul will be remembered for his all action running style. He played 385 games and scored 149 tries in a career that lasted 15 years. He made the transition from Northern to Bulls and he made the transition from winter to summer. He was one of the mainstays of the Bradford side for 10 years and he is still one of the most popular players to represent the club.

‘Super Sub’ was his nickname but he was much, very much, more than that.

External links

* http://www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/
* [http://www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/bb_stampede_full.asp?stampedeid=33 Paul Medley Profile]