Draft:Paul De Garis

Paul Mark De Garis (born 24th July 1974) is a retired Guernsey-born footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Lincoln City, Woking and Crawley Town. He has represented Guernsey at senior level.

Career
Born in Guernsey, De Garis began his career in Guernsey with Sylvans S.C. in 1989.

In 1992 had trials with West Bromwich Albion.

Before the start of the 1994-1995 season attending a trial with Woking F.C. With his scheduled reserve game cancelled De Garis watched the William Hill Senior Cup 1st leg fixture between the Woking 1st team against Crawley Town F.C. at Kingsfield. It was then the Crawley goalkeeper sustained an injury early on and with no Substitute Goalkeeper on the bench. De Garis stepped in to cover and make his only one appearance with a Man of the Match performance.

De Garis Signed Vauxhall Conference forms with Woking F.C. shortly afterwards the match.

De Garis was invited to trial at Sheffield Wednesday F.C. in August 1994 and during his stay made a number of appearance for the Club's Under 21 team.

In November 1994 De Garis joined Lincoln City F.C. on Loan providing cover to 1st team keeper Andy Leaning. During his stay he was on the bench for a number of English League 2 games including the FA Cup 3rd Round 5-1 loss vs Premier League side Crystal Palace F.C.

De Garis left Lincoln City in February 1995 returning to Sheffield Wednesday F.C. until April 1995 before returning to Guernsey.

In mid April 1995, De Garis played his played his first match and only match for Woking F.C. in the Vauxhall Conference vs Welling United F.C. at Kingsfield. Following an Injury to first team keeper Laurence Batty and being post transfer deadline. De Garis was called up by Manager Geoff Chapple travelling over from Guernsey on the same day to play.

Returning to the UK in August 1996, De Garis had semi professional spells with Hinckley Town FC and Trafford F.C.

De Garis moved back to Guernsey at the start of the 1999 season, during a 10 year period representing St Martins A.C. Northerners and Sylvans S.C.

In August 2008, moving back to the UK, De Garis joined North West Counties League team Atherton LR before leaving for his home Island in summer of 2010.

In October 2010, he joined Guernsey Rangers and was part of the squad that narrowly lost to Havant and Waterlooville F.C. in the Hamsphire Senior Cup that season.

In August 2011, De Garis signed for Guernsey F.C. where he made his first-team debut in 2011 going on to make 25 appearances keeping 14 Clean sheets. During his time he was mainly a backup to veteran ex professional Chris Tardif. before retiring in May 2013. During his time they secured back to back promotions in the Combined Counties League and Cup Double.

In January 2018, He was announced as First Team Player/Coach for Guernsey Sylvans S.C. before leaving in November 2018,

International career
De Garis has represented Guernsey on a number of occasions. iHe made his Muratti Vase debut in the 1996 Semi Final 2-0 victory over Alderney and made another two appearances in the Final, losing 1-0 in a replay to Jersey. He represented Guernsey at the 1991 Island Games in Åland.

Personal life
He currently works as the Cycling Development officer for the Guernsey Velo Club and Guernsey Sports Commission