It was on Saturday 14th August 2010 that the 'Gers faced Brantwood in the first round of the Steel & Sons Cup. After a narrow 4-3 victory, Rangers immediately moved post-match to secure the services of the opposition winger who had caused them problems all afternoon — after brief negotiations, Paul Heatley signed on the dotted line at Taylors Avenue.
The then 23-year-old would go on to play an integral part in Carrick securing the Championship title that campaign, as well as netting the winning goal in the Intermediate Cup final to seal the double.
Following a further campaign with the Club in the Premiership, Heatley departed to join Crusaders in the summer of 2012 having registered 73 appearances and 29 goals for the ‘Gers.
The impact he made in his two-year spell was highlighted in 2014 when, at the Club's 75th Anniversary dinner, Heatley was named in the Greatest Ever Carrick Rangers XI alongside legends such as Glenn Taggart and George Matchett.
As he hangs up his boots following an illustrious career, Paul will always be very welcome at Taylors Avenue and naturally everyone at Carrick Rangers wishes him well for the future.
Image courtesy of Press Eye.