25 Facts About Paul Lake

Paul Andrew Lake was born on 28 October 1968 and is an English former professional footballer who played for Manchester City and represented England at under-21 and B team level.

Paul Lake grew up in Haughton Green, though both his parents came from Ardwick.

Paul Lake spent all of his free time during childhood playing football.

Paul Lake grew up supporting Manchester City, as he was taken to games at Maine Road by the local milkman.

Paul Lake won the 1980 Smiths Crisps Six-a-Side Championship with his school, St Mary's RC Primary, and scored the winning goal in the Wembley final against St Cuthbert's School.

Paul Lake was spotted by Manchester City scout Ted Davies playing for Denton Boys under-13s, who got him a place alongside Andy Hinchcliffe on Blue Star, a feeder team to Manchester City.

Paul Lake became an associated schoolboy at City in July 1983, and signed a contract to become a Youth Training Scheme apprentice in July 1985.

Paul Lake signed professional forms with the club on his 18th birthday.

Paul Lake became a regular first team player, but missed the last three games of the season with a knee injury he picked up against Bradford City.

Machin was sacked in November 1989, and Paul Lake later said that his replacement, Howard Kendall, was "the best boss I ever had".

Paul Lake was declared fit to play again in June 1991 following months of recovery time at Lilleshall Hall.

Paul Lake returned for pre-season training in June 1992, and he played in a number of pre-season friendlies without incident, though his knee still required a lengthy period of rest after matches.

Paul Lake made brief reserve team appearances in early 1994, but was unable to participate beyond the spring as he was fitted with a knee brace to aid with his recovery.

Paul Lake retired from football in January 1996, after a struggle against injury which went on for more than five years, and was granted a testimonial game against Manchester United in October 1997.

Paul Lake was inducted into the Manchester City Hall of Fame in 2004.

Paul Lake made his debut for the England under-21 side against Denmark in September 1988.

However coach Lawrie McMenemy stated that Paul Lake "always seemed to be injured at the time of important under-21 call-ups".

Paul Lake did not make it into the World Cup squad and never won a senior cap.

Paul Lake began working on the Manchester City medical team in 1997, and helped Richard Edghill to recover from the same injury that had claimed his own career.

Paul Lake went on to work as the physio at non-league club Altrincham, where he balanced the club's medical expenses on a tight budget.

Paul Lake graduated with a degree in physiotherapy at Salford University in May 2003.

Paul Lake left Bolton in 2008 and ran his own physiotherapy practice in Greater Manchester until March 2010, when he was appointed Ambassador for Manchester City in the Community.

Paul Lake married Lisa Johnson in Denton in May 1995.

Paul Lake's acclaimed autobiography, "I'm Not Really Here", was published by Century in 2011.

Paul Lake is patron of Jump Space, a Stockport-based charity that provides specialist trampolining and rebound therapy to disabled children and young people.