Who is Paul O'Donnell?
Paul was born and raised right here in South Jersey on the mainland opposite Atlantic City. As a young man Ocean City was one of his favorite places.

Paul has played organized soccer but his interest in the game really got fired up when his son started playing at a young age. As he grew older, he played soccer almost year-round and developed into one of the better players in his age group and was invited to play for the top-level team representing his local league. His team had good success and appeared in the final for the country cup in his final two years, winning it on their second try in a thrilling overtime match.

By then, he discovered satellite TV which allowed him to watch soccer from around the world. His favorite English side became Blackburn Rovers as they challenged the big four and actually won the EPL title during the 1994-95 season. Soon he was watching soccer from Italy, Germany, Spain and and even the J-League, thanks to the coverage available via satellite and keeping tabs on his favorite American side, the Charleston Battery (USL First Division). He even traveled by train to Charleston to attend the Battery’s Challenge Cup where they entertained MLS sides in a pre-season tournament. That trip was a special event for Paul and his soccer mania and he was soon cheering for teams like Preston North End and Sunderland too.

Paul started keeping an eye on the Barons during their seasons as a pro side (1997-2002) and then learned the team joined the PDL and were playing their home games in Winslow, NJ. It was very convenient for Paul since he lived about 15 minutes away and he was soon attending every game of the Barons’ undefeated 2004 season that also included a memorable Open Cup match against the A-League’s Syracuse Salty Dogs.

Later, Paul answered a notice put out by the Barons looking for volunteers, and the next thing he knew he was helping out with the team and writing a regular column on the team’s website.