Everyone at Edgeley Park were saddened to hear of the recent passing of former County defender Paul Cahill (SCAN 837), who passed away on June 6th 2021 at the age of 65.
Born in Liverpool, he was on the books of Liverpool as an apprentice before moving to Coventry City in 1971. He remained a youth and reserve player whilst at Highfield Road, representing England Youth three times in 1974. In Feb 1975 he signed for Portsmouth for £10,000 following an initial loan. During a difficult period at Fratton Park during which Pompey were relegated into the third tier of English football, he made 112 appearances scoring twice. In his first season he was named Player of the Year and became the clubs youngest ever captain at the age of 21. During the summer of 1978 he went to America to play in the American Soccer League for the South California Lazers where he was voted into the All Star team at the end of the season. He returned to his native Liverpool to join Tranmere Rovers where he made five appearance in the 1978-79 season during which he came to Edgeley Park.
Cahill came to County in February 1979 on loan, following the departure of former player-manager Alan Thompson. County manager Mike Summerbee wrote: “Alan’s departure has been somewhat offset by the signing of former Portsmouth star Paul Cahill, currently playing for Tranmere Rovers, on a month’s loan. However, having said that, I’m not confident we will be able to keep Paul at Edgeley Park, as he is another player who is keen to go back to playing in the States”. Summerbee was correct as after three games for County , Cahill left and moved back to America to join the California Surf who played in the North America Soccer League. One of his three games for The Hatters was the legendary 4-4 draw at Oakwell as County came from 4-1 behind to draw 4-4 with Barnsley, during which Les Bradd famously scored a hat trick.
County were his final League club, and he remained in America, playing for a number of clubs in California before retiring in 1983.
After football he remained living in Santa Ana, where he owned a fresh foods business serving the Orange County area. In recent years his health declined and he moved back to Liverpool to be closer to his family and his beloved Liverpool FC.
We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends
