Paul McCallum (footballer)

Paul Leon Miller McCallum (born 28 July 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for National League side Eastleigh.

Paul McCallum
McCallum warming-up for West Ham United, August 2012
Personal information
Full name Paul Leon Miller McCallum[1]
Date of birth (1993-07-28) 28 July 1993 (age 31)[1]
Place of birth Streatham, England
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)[2]
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
Eastleigh
Number 9
Youth career
Dulwich Hamlet
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2011 Dulwich Hamlet
2011–2015 West Ham United 0 (0)
2012Rochdale (loan) 0 (0)
2012–2013AFC Wimbledon (loan) 9 (4)
2013Aldershot Town (loan) 9 (3)
2013Torquay United (loan) 5 (3)
2014Heart of Midlothian (loan) 6 (0)
2015Portsmouth (loan) 7 (0)
2015–2017 Leyton Orient 39 (11)
2017–2019 Eastleigh 67 (35)
2019–2020 Solihull Moors 21 (8)
2020Barnet (loan) 5 (4)
2020–2023 Dagenham & Redbridge 95 (39)
2023Chesterfield (loan) 18 (4)
2023– Eastleigh 52 (39)
International career
2024 England C 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:34, 24 October 2024 (UTC)

He has previously played for clubs including West Ham United, AFC Wimbledon, Leyton Orient, Hearts and Portsmouth.[3]

Career

edit

Early years

edit

McCallum made his name at Isthmian League Division One club Dulwich Hamlet breaking through from the youth team to the senior team in October 2010. Over the course of the 2010–11 season, the striker scored a total of 15 goals in 7 games in the FA Youth Cup, including a hat-trick to produce a shock 3–2 victory over Football League One side Yeovil Town in the Second Round.[4] The club faced Newcastle United in the Third Round but were ultimately thrashed 6–2. Although McCallum did not score himself, he was able to provide an assist for one of the consolation goals.[5] His prolific goalscoring attracting the interest of 14 clubs, including Premier League giants Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and West Ham United.[6] The striker ultimately chose West Ham United, signing a professional contract with the Hammers on 31 January 2011, citing their reputation for bringing young players through as a key reason for his decision.[7]

West Ham

edit

McCallum formed part of the Hammers Under-21 development squad during the 2011–12 season. He was loaned out to Rochdale on 31 January 2012.[8] However, the striker returned to his parent club on 9 March 2012 without making a single appearance for the then League One strugglers.[9] McCallum's first involvement with the West Ham United senior squad was on 28 August 2012 as an unused substitute in the Second Round of the Football League Cup, in which the Hammers beat Crewe Alexandra 2–0.[10] On 7 January 2013 McCallum signed a new deal with West Ham United extending his contract with the club for a further two and a half years.[11] He was released by West Ham at the end of the 2014–15 season.[12]

AFC Wimbledon (loan)

edit

On 22 November 2012, McCallum joined League Two outfit AFC Wimbledon on an initial one-month loan deal.[13] The striker made his debut for the Dons on 24 November 2012, in a 3–1 defeat by Morecambe, but was awarded a red card in the 82nd minute for a foul on Nick Fenton.[14] AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley sought to give the young striker a second chance to prove himself however, by extending his loan spell until 19 January 2013.[15] Having served out his three match suspension, McCallum returned to AFC Wimbledon's starting eleven on 29 December 2012 in a 3–0 defeat by Oxford United.[16] McCallum repaid Ardley's faith in him by scoring his first league goal the following game in a 3–2 away win over Torquay United on 1 January 2013.[17] Having found his form, the striker went on to score his second on 5 January 2013 in a 1–0 away win over Rochdale, which took AFC Wimbledon out of the relegation zone.[18] This was the first time the League Two strugglers had secured back to back wins in the 2012–13 season, with McCallum having been instrumental to the club's success in both games. On 12 January 2013, McCallum added to his tally by scoring a brace in a 2–2 draw with Wycombe Wanderers, totalling four goals in three games.[19] In light of his prolific form, McCallum's loan spell was extended until 23 February 2013.[20] On 11 February 2013, McCallum was named as League Two Player of the Month for January 2013 by Match magazine following his prolific run of four goals in three matches.[21] On 22 February it was announced that McCallum had returned to parent club West Ham United a day earlier than planned after failing to shake off an ankle injury.[22]

Aldershot Town (loan)

edit

On 8 March 2013, McCallum joined Football League Two side Aldershot Town on a one-month loan deal.[23]

Torquay United (loan)

edit

McCallum signed a further loan deal in October 2013, joining Torquay United on a one-month loan.[24] On 2 November 2013 in his third game for Torquay, McCallum scored his first two goals for the club, in a 3–1 away win against Bury.[25] He scored his third and final goal in a 2–1 away defeat to Accrington Stanley on 23 November but soon after returned to West Ham prematurely after receiving a back injury. He had played six games in all competitions for Torquay scoring three goals.[26][27][28]

Heart of Midlothian (loan)

edit

On 30 January 2014, McCallum signed for Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian (Hearts), on loan until the end of the season.[29][30] He made his debut for Hearts on 2 February in a semi-final of the Scottish League Cup against Inverness Caledonian Thistle coming on as a 64th-minute substitute for Dylan McGowan. The game had finished 2–2 and in the penalty shootout required to decide a winner, McCallum missed his penalty as Inverness won 4–2 on penalties.[31] With two games left in Hearts' season McCallum injured his ankle in training and returned to West Ham. He had played six games for Hearts without scoring.[32]

Portsmouth (loan)

edit

On 15 January 2015, McCallum signed on-loan for the rest of the 2014–15 season for Portsmouth.[33] He made his debut on 17 January in a 1–1 home draw with Burton Albion.[34] In his second game, a 2–1 home defeat to Southend United on 24 January, he was sent-off for fighting.[35] On 28 January 2015 he was charged by the FA with improper conduct arising from the same incident. McCallum was alleged to have made contact with referee, Lee Collins.[36] On 3 February, he was banned for seven games after pleading guilty to the charge.[37]

Leyton Orient

edit

McCallum joined League Two club Leyton Orient on a two-year contract on 19 June 2015.[38] He made his league debut for Orient against Barnet on 8 August 2015, and scored the second goal in their 2–0 win.[39] McCallum wasn't offered a new contract at the end of the 2016–17 season and left Orient, with a record of 15 goals in 43 appearances, to sign a two-year contract with Eastleigh.[40]

Solihull Moors

edit

On 28 May 2019, McCallum joined Solihull Moors on a two-year deal following his 27-goal season with Eastleigh.[41]

Barnet (loan)

edit

On 31 January 2020, McCallum joined Barnet on loan until the end of the season with an option to make the loan permanent.[42] He made his Barnet debut on 1 February 2020 in a 2–1 home win against Hartlepool United. Coming on as a 60th minute substitute he scored after only a minute and assisted Barnet's second goal.[43]

Dagenham & Redbridge

edit

McCallum signed for Dagenham & Redbridge on 7 August 2020 on a three-year deal.[44]

Chesterfield (loan)

edit

On 10 February 2023, McCallum signed for Chesterfield on loan until the end of the 2022–23 season, helping the Spireites reach the National League Play-Off Final.[45]

Eastleigh

edit

On 30 May 2023, McCallum returned to former club Eastleigh, rejoining the club after a four-year absence.[46] His return to Eastleigh begun well with 15 goals in his first 16 league games. In December 2023, he scored both goals as Eastleigh defeated League One club Reading to progress to the third round.[47] Having averaged a goal every eighty-two minutes across the month, he was awarded the National League Player of the Month award for December.[48] After finishing as top scorer of the National League that season with 31 goals, he was named as Eastleigh's Player of the Year.[49]

International career

edit

In March 2024, McCallum was called up to the England C team for their upcoming fixture against Wales C.[50]

Career statistics

edit
As of match played 20 April 2024[51]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[a] League Cup[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
West Ham United 2011–12[52] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2012–13[53] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2013–14[54] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2014–15[55] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Rochdale (loan) 2011–12[52] League One 0 0 0 0
AFC Wimbledon (loan) 2012–13[53] League Two 9 4 0 0 9 4
Aldershot Town (loan) 2012–13[53] League Two 9 3 9 3
Torquay United (loan) 2013–14[54] League Two 5 3 1 0 6 3
Heart of Midlothian (loan) 2013–14[54] Scottish Premiership 6 0 1 0 7 0
Portsmouth (loan) 2014–15[55] League Two 7 0 7 0
Leyton Orient 2015–16[56] League Two 10 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 3
2016–17[57] League Two 29 8 1 0 1 2 2[c] 2 33 12
Total 39 11 1 0 1 2 2 2 43 15
Eastleigh 2017–18[58] National League 26 8 1 0 1[d] 0 28 8
2018–19[59] National League 41 27 1 0 3[e] 1 45 28
Total 67 35 2 0 4 1 73 36
Solihull Moors 2019–20[60] National League 21 8 3 1 3[f] 0 27 9
Barnet (loan) 2019–20[60] National League 5 4 2[g] 1 7 5
Dagenham & Redbridge 2020–21[61] National League 36 16 1 1 2[d] 1 39 18
2021–22[62] National League 36 18 1 0 2[d] 2 39 20
2022–23[63] National League 23 5 1 2 2[d] 1 26 8
Total 95 39 3 3 6 4 104 46
Chesterfield (loan) 2022–23[63] National League 18 4 1[g] 0 19 4
Eastleigh 2023–24[64] National League 38 31 4 3 1[d] 1 43 35
Career total 305 134 14 7 2 2 19 9 340 152
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup and Scottish League Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in EFL Trophy
  4. ^ a b c d e Appearances in FA Trophy
  5. ^ One appearance in FA Trophy, two appearances and one goal in National League play-offs
  6. ^ Two appearances in FA Trophy, one appearance in Scottish Challenge Cup
  7. ^ a b Appearances in National League play-offs

Honours

edit

Individual

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Paul McCallum". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  2. ^ "Premier League Player ProfilePaul McCallum". Premier League. Barclays Premier League. 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  3. ^ "Paul McCallum: Eurosport". Eurosport.com.
  4. ^ "Who is Paul McCallum?". SB Nation.com. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  5. ^ "Dulwich dumped". The FA. 7 January 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  6. ^ "It's Hammer Time for Hamlet prodigy Paul". Dulwich Hamlet. 1 January 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  7. ^ "McCallum a Hammer". West Ham United. 31 January 2011. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  8. ^ "Rochdale sign McCallum on loan and extend Kurucz deal". BBC Football. 31 January 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  9. ^ "McCallum heads back to Hammers". clubcall.com. 9 March 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  10. ^ "West Ham United 2 – 0 Crewe Alexandra". clubcall.com. 28 August 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  11. ^ "McCallum signs new contract". whufc.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  12. ^ "Hammers confirm retained list". whufc.com. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  13. ^ "AFC Wimbledon: West Ham's Paul McCallum joins on loan". BBC Football. 22 November 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  14. ^ "Morecambe 3 – 1 AFC Wimbledon". BBC Football. 24 November 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  15. ^ "Team update and the views of Neal Ardley". AFC Wimbledon. 24 December 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
  16. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 0 – 3 Oxford United". BBC Football. 29 December 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  17. ^ "Torquay 2 – 3 AFC Wimbledon". BBC Football. 1 January 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  18. ^ "Rochdale 0 – 1 AFC Wimbledon". BBC Football. 5 January 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  19. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 2 – 2 Wycombe Wanderers". BBC Football. 12 January 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  20. ^ "McCallum's loan is extended". AFC Wimbledon. 21 January 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  21. ^ "Striker aims to end Wimbledon loan on a high". AFC Wimbledon. 11 February 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  22. ^ "McCallum returns to Hammers". sportinglife.com. 22 February 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  23. ^ "Striker Arrives on Loan". Aldershot Town. 8 March 2013.
  24. ^ "Paul McCallum: West Ham striker joins Torquay United on loan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  25. ^ "MATCH REPORT: Bury 1 Torquay United 3". Torquay Herald Express. 2 November 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  26. ^ "Accrington 2–1 Torquay United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  27. ^ "NEW STRIKER ON LOAN". Torquay United FC. 25 November 2013. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  28. ^ "Games played by Paul McCallum in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  29. ^ "Hearts sign West Ham striker Paul McCallum on loan". BBC Sport. 30 January 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  30. ^ "Paul McCallum moves to Hearts on loan from West Ham". Sky Sports. 30 January 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  31. ^ "Hearts 2–2 Inverness CT". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  32. ^ Anderson, Barry (6 May 2014). "Hearts loanee Paul McCallum returns to West Ham." Edinburgh News. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  33. ^ "Paul McCallum: Portsmouth sign West Ham striker on loan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  34. ^ "Portsmouth 1–1 Burton Albion". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  35. ^ "Portsmouth 1–2 Southend United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  36. ^ "Portsmouth striker Paul McCallum charged with improper conduct after red card against Southend United". echo-news.co.uk. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  37. ^ "Paul McCallum: Portsmouth striker given seven-match ban". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  38. ^ "Leyton Orient sign Paul McCallum and Blair Turgott". BBC Sport. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  39. ^ "Leyton Orient 2–0 Barnet". BBC Sport. 8 August 2015.
  40. ^ Sessions, George (23 May 2017). "Paul McCallum signs for Eastleigh after leaving Leyton Orient". East London Advertiser. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  41. ^ "Solihull seal McCallum deal". solihullmoorsfc.co.uk. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  42. ^ Welcome to Barnet, Paul McCallum!
  43. ^ "Match Pack: Barnet FC 2-1 Hartlepool United – News – Barnet Football Club". barnetfc.com. Archived from the original on 2 February 2020.
  44. ^ "Dagenham & Redbridge sign prolific striker Paul McCallum from Solihull Moors". Barking and Dagenham Post. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  45. ^ "Striker joins Spireites on loan". Chesterfield FC. 10 February 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  46. ^ "NEWS PAUL MCCALLUM JOINS THE SPITFIRES". Eastleigh F.C. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  47. ^ "Eastleigh 2–1 Reading: Paul McCallum double sends National League side into FA Cup third round". BBC Sport. 3 December 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  48. ^ a b "It's Wonderful For Woodman And Magical McCallum!". www.thenationalleague.org.uk. 18 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  49. ^ a b Vimpany, Mike (24 April 2024). "McCallum Eastleigh's player of the year". Hampshire Chronicle. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  50. ^ "England C squad named for game with Wales". www.englandfootball.com. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  51. ^ Paul McCallum at Soccerway. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  52. ^ a b "Games played by Paul McCallum in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  53. ^ a b c "Games played by Paul McCallum in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  54. ^ a b c "Games played by Paul McCallum in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  55. ^ a b "Games played by Paul McCallum in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  56. ^ "Games played by Paul McCallum in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  57. ^ "Games played by Paul McCallum in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  58. ^ "Games played by Paul McCallum in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  59. ^ "Games played by Paul McCallum in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  60. ^ a b "Games played by Paul McCallum in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  61. ^ "Games played by Paul McCallum in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  62. ^ "Games played by Paul McCallum in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  63. ^ a b "Games played by Paul McCallum in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  64. ^ "Games played by Paul McCallum in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  65. ^ Sam Elliott (10 May 2019). "Vanarama National League Team of the Season Confirmed". Vanarama National League. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  66. ^ "Spireites quartet in Vanarama National League Team of the Season". Chesterfield FC. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
edit