Paul Huntington

Newcastle United

Born in Carlisle, Huntington joined Newcastle United Academy on 1 July 2004. As a schoolboy he played at Wembley Stadium and also won the England Under 18 National Cup for his school in 2004. After impressing in the youth teams he was promoted to the reserve squad in late 2004 to play tougher opposition and gain experience. He made his reserve debut for the club on 7 December in a 3–0 home win over rivals Middlesbrough and made his official England Under 18 debut against Scotland fifteen days later in a 1–0 win partnering David Wheater at centre back and got his 2nd cap on 10 June 2005 v Norway at Vale Park in a 0–0 draw. He signed his first professional contract at the club in July 2005.

His first involvement in the first team at Newcastle was when he appeared on the bench for the club's Intertoto Cup games against ZTS Dubnica and Deportivo La Coruña in July 2005. In the summer of 2005 he was awarded the prestigious Jackie Milburn trophy, given each year to the rising star of north-east football. He was also named in the first team squad for the FA Cup third-round tie against Mansfield Town. Huntington made the substitutes bench for the UEFA Cup match against Celta Vigo.

On 9 December he made his first Newcastle appearance as a late substitute against Blackburn Rovers in the unfamiliar role of right-back and duly received praise from Newcastle legend Alan Shearer on BBC programme Match Of The Day. The following match, on 14 December Huntington started his first ever game for Newcastle, again appearing at right back away at Chelsea in the Premier League and received Man Of The Match for keeping the likes of Arjen Robben at bay. He marked his first ever goal for Newcastle on 14 January 2007 when he scored the first equaliser in Newcastle's 3–2 win over Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. He also played in a Uefa Cup last-16 match against AZ Alkmaar losing on away goals over the two legs.He went on to make 16 appearances for the first team whilst making the bench for most of the 2006/07 season.

Leeds United

On 31 August 2007 he transferred to Leeds United for an undiclosed fee believed to be £500,000. The move was seen as a coup by Leeds as Huntington had played in the Premier League. He made his home debut for the club as a substitute in the 2–0 victory on 8 September at home to Hartlepool United.

On 9 October 2007 Huntington opened his Leeds account by scoring against Darlington in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Second Round on his full debut to help Leeds through to the next stage. He scored his first league goal against Luton Town on 26 January 2008. He also scored against Leyton Orient on 5 April. There were controversies surrounding whether it was he or Bradley Johnson who scored the goal, but in the end it was officially given to Huntington.

Huntington established himself as Leeds' first-choice centre-back. He was on good form during the run-in to the end of the 2007–08 season and manager Gary McAllister said Huntington has a bright future ahead of him. He played at Wembley on 25 May 2008 in the League One Play Off Final v Doncaster, losing 1–0. He was handed the captain's armband during the 2008–09 pre season tour of Ireland in the game against Shelbourne. He was then ruled out for some of the season with hernia and groin operations and during this time Gary McAllister was sacked and replaced by Simon Grayson.

On 10 September 2009, Huntington joined League One rivals Stockport County on a month's loan. Huntington made his Stockport debut in the 2–2 draw against Yeovil Town, and then subsequently made the League 1 team of the week after a fine performance against Huddersfield. After 9 appearances for Stockport, his two-month loan spell came to an end. Stockport County wanted to extend the loan for a third and final month but Huntington was told to return by Leeds United.

On transfer deadline day, 1 February 2010, Leeds United agreed to Huntingtons' request that his contract be paid up. This allowed him to seek another club to maximise his appearances this season and be in the shop window of other clubs for the summer when he was out of contract.

Stockport County

After leaving Leeds, he signed for Stockport County on a short term contract until the end of the season.

Yeovil Town

On 16 July 2010 Huntington signed for Yeovil Town on a two-year contract, he scored his first goal for Yeovil and their 3rd in a 3–1 win over Tranmere Rovers on 11 September and made the League One Team Of The Week and repeated this achievement on 9 October after a 1–0 win at Rochdale. On 3 January 2011 Huntington scored the only goal in a 1–0 win against Milton Keynes Dons at home, also receiving man of the match. Huntington won the League One Player of the Month for January, beating off competition from Brighton's Elliott Bennett, Craig Dawson from Rochdale and Bournemouth's Liam Feeney to win the coveted award which was presented to him his manager Terry Skiverton. During the month he scored three times against Sheffield Wednesday, Milton Keynes Dons and Brentford as well as being part of a defence that kept four clean sheets. Huntington was appointed captain of the club as Yeovil finished in 14th place,their second highest ever finish. Huntington was runner up in both the Green and White Player of the Season Award and the Western Gazette Player of the Season Award.

Huntington scored his first goal of the 2011/12 season in the 3–2 home defeat against Charlton Athletic on Boxing Day, and followed this up with a goal in the New Year's Eve defeat against Bournemouth. On 22 May 2012, the club announced that Huntington had rejected a new deal citing that he wanted to move to a club closer to his hometown.

Preston North End

Following Huntington's rejection of a new contract with Yeovil Town, Huntington joined fellow League One side Preston North End. He scored his first goal for Preston against Crawley Town in a 2–1 loss. He then scored in the JPT 2nd round in a 4–2 win at Morecambe, On Tuesday 9 October 2012. Huntington scored his 3rd goal of the season away at Tranmere Rovers in a 1–1 draw, on Saturday 27 October 2012. Saturday 8 December came his 4th goal in a loss to Crewe Alexandra. On Thursday 11 April 2013 Huntington was nominated for Npower League One Player Of The Month for March with a number of impressive displays and 3 clean sheets.

His first goal of the 2013/14 season came on 14 September against Stevenage F.C. in a 3–0 win. On 17 December 2013, Huntington extended his contract with Preston North End,thus keeping him at the club until the summer of 2015. He scored his second goal of the season in a 2–2 draw at Crawley Town on 14 December.

Huntington scored his first goal of the 2014/15 season on 21 October with a powerful header at Gillingham in a 1–0 win. He scored his 2nd goal in 3 league games at Leyton Orient on 28 October 2014 in a 2–0 win. His 3rd goal of the season came at ex-club Yeovil Town on 29 November in a 2–0 victory, heading in to the top left corner. On 6 December Huntington's left footed half volley was the winning goal in a 1–0 2nd round FA Cup tie at home to Shrewsbury Town; it was his 4th goal in 13 games this season. His goalscoring run continued on 16 December when he scored the winning goal in a 1–0 victory at Notts County, in the semi-final of the JPT northern section. He headed home his 6th goal of the season came away at Crawley Town on 31 January 2015. He then followed it up with his second goal in two games at Sheffield United in the FA Cup 4th round replay at Bramall Lane 3 February in a 3–1 win. Huntington's 8th goal of the season came away at Oldham Athletic 28 February in a 4–0 win.

Huntington was named supporters player of the year for the 2014/15 season. He then won promotion in the League One Play Off Final at Wembley on Sunday 24 May 2015,scoring the 2nd goal (his 9th of the season) in a 4–0 victory over Swindon Town. Huntington also won the Tom Finney Trophy for the 2014/15 season awarded by the supporters. He signed a new two-year contract with Preston North End on 26 May 2015 which runs until the summer 2017.

On 16 November 2015 Huntington won League One Player Of The Year at the North West Football Awards for the 2014–15 season.

Huntington signed a new two-year contract with Preston North End on 22 August 2016 with the option of a third year.

His 1st goal of the 2016/17 season came on 14 January 2017, scoring the first goal with a header against Brighton And Hove Albion in a 2-0 win and was also named in the EFL team of the week for his performance.

Career statistics

Honours

Preston North End

Personal