Paul Crichton has signed for the Reds on a short-term contract to cover for the injured Jon Kennedy, who is still expected to be out injured with his broken leg for another five or six weeks.
Crichton began at Nottingham Forest, although he made his league debut across the Trent at Meadow Lane whilst on loan at Notts County (5 apps). He moved on to Peterborough (51 apps), and then to Doncaster (77 apps), Grimsby (133 apps) and West Brom (32 apps). Loan spells have also been spent with Darlington (8 apps),
Swindon (4 apps), Rotherham (6 apps), Torquay (13 apps) and Aston Villa but he made no appearances for Villa. Joining Burnley during the 1998/99 season, he was first choice at Burnley in their promotion season of 1999/2000. He lost his place at Burnley in 2000/01 to Greek goalkeeper Nik Michopoulos.
Paul made his Norwich debut against Millwall on 20 January 2002 and finished the season with 6 appearances to his credit. He signed a new one year contract at the end of March 2003. On 29th April 2004, Norwich announced that he would not receive a new contract for the2004/5 season. Nigel Worthington thanked him for his commitment to the team spirit that had helped Norwich to the Premiership
Paul joined Conference new boys York City on trial at the beginning of July 2004 with view to that if he signed, it would be in a player-
coach role. He signed a weekly pay-as-you-play contract with York but was shown he door after an alleged clash with supporters during the Conference clash with Gravesend in August 2004. Whilst waiting for resolution or an apology from York, Crichton was in talks with Scarborough after Gareth Downey quit the club leaving the Seadogs with Leigh Walker as the only keeper on their books. Instead, he signed for Conference North side Stafford Rangers making his debut on 18th September 2004 against Gainsborough Trinity. He left Stafford after a week stating that he was seeking to join
a club closer to his home in Norfolk. Whether that statement was just an excuse to escape Stafford one doesn't know but in early October 2004, Paul signed for Leigh RMI.
This will come as yet another blow to back-up goalkeeper Danny Alcock. Stanley have won the two games that Alcock has played this season. Alcock made his debut against Hereford before being replaced by on-loan ‘keeper Carl Ikeme. He returned to the side on Saturday in the 5-0 win over Northwich Victoria after the expiration of Ikeme's loan spell.