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CLUB
CAREER
Paul Thirlwell began his career in Sunderland in August
1997 and his first league game for Sunderland was
against Tranmere Rovers on August 22, 1998. His first
goal for the club from Tyne and Wear came against Luton
Town on September 19, 2000 when Sunderland won 3-0 in
the English League Cup. Thirlwell was on loan to Swindon
Town from September 1999 to November 1999 and in those
months he played 12 league games for the club from
Wiltshire.
With Sunderland flying high in the Premiership,
Thirlwell often found himself on the fringes of the
first team, unable to break into the side ahead of
established stars such as Don Hutchison and Stefan
Schwarz. However, following the clubs relegation from
the top flight in 2003, Thirlwell went on to establish
himself in the heart of Sunderland's midfield, making 33
league and cup appearances for the first team. Thirlwell
even had a stint as captain in the premiership side
after skipper Jason McAteer picked up an injury.
Despite a regular starting place during the first half
of the season, injuries meant that Thirlwell missed a
large chunk of the latter half of the campaign.
Thirlwell also suffered a fractured skull during a
reserve team match in April 2004, bring a premature end
to Thirlwell's Sunderland career.
With Thirlwell's contract up for renewel at the end of
the season, manager Mick McCarthy decided not to retain
him, and Thirlwell signed for Sheffield United on a free
transfer in July 2004. His first appearance for this
club came against Reading on August 14, 2004 and in a
league game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on November
27, 2004 he scored his first goal for the club from
South Yorkshire. Despite featuring 30 times for the
club, Thirlwell played only one season for Sheffield
United and on August 5, 2005 he signed for Derby County.
He made his debut for Derby on August 6, 2005 in a
league game against Brighton & Hove Albion.
On September 8, 2006 Thirlwell joined Carlisle United on
a 3-month loan from Derby County after a lack of first
team opportunities at Pride Park and his début for the
Brunton Park team was on September 9, 2006 in a 1-1 draw
against Northampton Town as a 54th minute sub. On
January 4, 2007, Thirlwell re-joined Carlisle United on
a permanent 2½ year deal for an undisclosed fee.On July
20, 2007, Thirwell was named as Carlisle's new captain
after the departure of Kevin Gray, manager Neil McDonald
described Thirwell as the "prime candidate".
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