hereThe experienced Paul Rooney today became Stockton Town’s fourth summer recruit, joining after time with Havant & Waterlooville in Hampshire.
Rooney is an Irish-born primary centre-back, who can also play in midfield when needed.
Starting his career at St Patrick’s Athletic in Ireland’s top division, Rooney was a standout youngster – eventually joining Dublin-rivals Bohemians in search for more opportunities.
At Bohs, still just 18 years old, Rooney made two first team appearances in two Leinster Senior Cup victories, where halfway through the League of Ireland campaign, he joined then-League One side Millwall.
Whilst developing with Millwall, and captaining their youth side on occasion, Paul was seeing action in the EFL Trophy, and spent time on loan at Torquay United, where he scored his first senior goal against Gateshead.
In January 2018, Rooney sealed a move to League Two side Colchester United, making his senior debut later in the year alongside none other than striker Frank Nouble, who was the Anchors’ third addition of the summer.
Whilst with the U’s, Rooney enjoyed loan spells with Bromley and Billericay Town, where he found game time, and following the expiration of his contract at Colchester, he moved permanently to National League’s Dover Athletic.
Following the COVID mess in non-league, Rooney joined Havant and Waterlooville of the National League South, and spent two successful seasons there, finding the target on four occasions in his 54 league appearances.
After the 2023/24 season with Dartford saw an unfortunate long-term injury for Paul, he returned to action, back with Havant & Waterlooville and enjoyed a successful 2025/26 season.
Now the near 6-foot-5-inch-tall defender moves up North for the first time in his career to join Stockton, with pre-season fixtures just two weeks ago.
Get your season tickets to see Paul and the squad in action now, by clicking here.
