Peter Pawlett
Personal information
Full name Peter Ian Pawlett[1]
Date of birth (1991-02-03) 3 February 1991 (age 33)
Place of birth Hull, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
 Peterhead
Youth career
0000–2007 Aberdeen
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2017 Aberdeen 172 (16)
2012–2013 → St Johnstone (loan) 9 (0)
2017–2019 Milton Keynes Dons 31 (3)
2019–2023 Dundee United 88 (6)
2024– Peterhead 0 (0)
International career
2009 Scotland U19 1 (0)
2011–2012 Scotland U21 7 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:00, 8 January 2024 (UTC)

Peter Ian Pawlett (born 3 February 1991)[3] is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Peterhead. He spent much of his early career at Aberdeen and has also played for St Johnstone, Milton Keynes Dons and Dundee United.

Born in England, he has been capped for Scotland at U19 and U21 levels.

Early life

Born on 3 February 1991 in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire but moved to Banchory, Aberdeenshire aged around 7. He grew up supporting Hull City.[4]

Club career

Aberdeen

Pawlett was brought up in Aberdeen from a young age[5] and made his Aberdeen debut in February 2009, coming on as a substitute in a 5–0 Scottish Cup victory over East Fife.[6] He made his SPL debut for Aberdeen as a substitute in a 3–1 loss to Celtic on 2 May 2009, and he made his first league start in a 2–1 loss to Rangers two weeks later.

On 7 November 2009, Pawlett set up the first goal for Sone Aluko in a 2–1 win over St Johnstone.[7] Soon after, Pawlett, along with four other players, was offered a new contract[8] and eventually signed a four-year deal soon after[9] During the season, in January 2010, Pawlett sustained a knee injury which required surgery. A month later it was reported that the injury would keep him out of action for the remainder of the 2009–10 season.[10] In each of the next two seasons, Pawlett spoke out about his injury, saying he had worked for optimum fitness while undergoing rehabilitation[11] and that he was able to move on from his injury.[12]

Pawlett made his return at the beginning of the 2010–11 season and played his first match in a 4–0 win over Hamilton Academical at the opening game of the season. After making three more appearances during the season, Pawlett suffered a toe injury and this kept him for three months. He made his return in a 5–0 defeat to Heart of Midlothian on 11 December 2010. On 30 April 2011, Pawlett scored his first goal for Aberdeen in a 1–0 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle.[13]

On 20 December 2011 in a 1–0 win over Hibernian, Pawlett received a straight red card after a challenge on Lewis Stevenson. In the second half before his sending off, he fell theatrically inside the penalty box when challenged by Ivan Sproule, resulting in a penalty being given which was converted by Scott Vernon. After the game, he was given a two match suspension by the SFA.[14] The club decided against appealing the ban.[15]

On 23 August 2012, Pawlett joined fellow Scottish Premier League side St Johnstone on loan until January 2013.[16] Pawlett made his debut, coming on as a substitute in a 2–0 loss against Hibernian. Pawlett went on to make nine appearances for St Johnstone and stated his desire to stay at the club for the rest of the season[17] On 1 January, the loan spell was extended for another two games, although there was also the possibility of a permanent move.[18] However, after the sale of fellow midfielder Ryan Fraser to Bournemouth, Aberdeen recalled the midfielder to play in their first team.[19] After his loan spell ended, St Johnstone Manager Steve Lomas said he wasn't surprised that Aberdeen had chosen to recall Pawlett.[20] After being recalled from his loan with St Johnstone, he made his first appearance since leaving on loan, in a 0–0 draw against Hibernian. During the match, Pawlett created controversy when he was booked for diving, leading Craig Brown to say that if it was found he had dived, the club would take action against him.[21] During that game, Pawlett gained more notoriety when his shorts fell down after getting tackled by Gary Deegan, revealing his underpants.[22] a match against Dundee on 5 May 2013, Pawlett was criticised for allegedly diving to win a penalty. The penalty was converted by Niall McGinn to level the game. The match finished 1–1, but the draw wasn't enough to prevent Dundee being relegated to the First Division.[23] After criticism of the diving,[24] Pawlett received a two-match suspension, which was accepted by the club, following an investigation from the SFA.[25]

In the 2013–14 season Pawlett retained his first team place, mostly playing as more of an attacking midfielder. He would score five league goals, against Partick Thistle,[26] St Mirren,[27] St Johnstone,[28] Inverness Caledonian Thistle[29] and Dundee United during the season.[30] His good performances earned a contract extension, which will keep him at Aberdeen until 2017.[31] In the second half of the season, Pawlett would play a vital role for the club, as he scored one and then set one up, in a 4–0 win over St Johnstone, to send the club to the Scottish League Cup final for the first time in fourteen years.[32] Then, in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup, Pawlett scored the winning goal in a 2–1 win over holders Celtic, the first time Aberdeen had beaten Celtic since 2008.[33]

In 2014, he was the subject of a campaign by Aberdeen fans to get The Human League song 'Don't You Want Me' to Number One in the charts following the success of their version singing 'Peter Pawlett baby'.[34]

Pawlett did not play regularly for Aberdeen in the following seasons, as Niall McGinn and Jonny Hayes were the first choice wingers.

Milton Keynes Dons

On 9 March 2017, English League One side Milton Keynes Dons announced that Pawlett had signed a pre-contract deal to join the club at the end of the 2016–17 season.[35]

Pawlett made his first appearance for his new club on 5 August 2017 in a 1–0 home defeat to Wigan Athletic, coming on as a 63rd-minute substitute for Ryan Seager.[36] On 2 December 2017, Pawlett scored his first goal for the club in a 4–1 FA Cup second round home win over Maidstone United.[37]

Dundee United

On 31 January 2019, Pawlett joined Scottish Championship club Dundee United for an undisclosed fee.[38] Two days later, he scored the winning goal in a 2–1 win for United against Greenock Morton.[39] Following relegation to the Scottish Championship in the 2022–23 season, Pawlett was released by United at the end of the season.[40]

Peterhead

After a few months out of the game, Pawlett signed with Scottish League Two side Peterhead in January 2024.[41]

International career

Born in Hull, Pawlett was initially only eligible for England. Following a revision of the Home nations agreement Pawlett became eligible to play for Scotland,[42] as Pawlett was educated in Banchory for eight years.[42] Pawlett was selected for the Scotland under-19 team in November 2009 and spoke out about his delight at having switched nationality.[4] On 16 May 2014, Pawlett was called into the senior Scotland squad for a friendly against Nigeria.[43]

Career statistics

As of 14 August 2021[44][45]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Aberdeen 2008–09 Scottish Premier League 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
2009–10 Scottish Premier League 14 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 17 0
2010–11 Scottish Premier League 13 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 16 1
2011–12 Scottish Premier League 21 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 25 0
2012–13 Scottish Premier League 12 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 14 0
2013–14 Scottish Premiership 35 5 3 1 4 1 0 0 42 7
2014–15 Scottish Premiership 36 6 1 0 3 0 5[a] 1 45 7
2015–16 Scottish Premiership 18 1 1 0 1 0 6[a] 1 26 2
2016–17 Scottish Premiership 18 3 2 0 1 0 1[a] 0 22 3
Total 172 16 15 1 14 1 12 2 213 20
St Johnstone (loan) 2012–13 Scottish Premier League 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0
Milton Keynes Dons 2017–18 League One 24 3 2 1 0 0 2[b] 0 28 4
2018–19 League Two 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
Total 31 3 2 1 0 0 2 0 35 4
Dundee United 2018–19 Scottish Championship 11 2 2 0 0 0 4[c] 0 17 2
2019–20 Scottish Championship 17 1 2 0 0 0 1[d] 0 20 1
2020–21 Scottish Premiership 26 1 4 1 3 0 0 0 33 2
2021–22 Scottish Premiership 2 0 0 0 4 2 0 0 6 2
Total 56 4 8 1 7 2 5 0 76 7
Career total 268 23 25 3 21 3 19 2 333 31
  1. ^ a b c Appearances in the UEFA Europa League
  2. ^ Appearances in the EFL Trophy
  3. ^ Appearances in the Scottish Premiership play-offs
  4. ^ Appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup

Honours

Aberdeen

Dundee United

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Peter Pawlett: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Peter Pawlett". dundeeunitedfc.co.uk. Dundee United F.C. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Peter Pawlett". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  4. ^ a b "I'm delighted I switched allegiance to Scotland, says Aberdeen's SPL young player of the month Peter Pawlett". Daily Record. 9 December 2009. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  5. ^ Aberdeen starlets Peter Pawlett and Jonathan Crawford pen new Pittodrie deals, Daily Record, 18 February 2009
  6. ^ Aberdeen 5–0 East Fife, BBC Sport, 18 February 2009
  7. ^ "Aberdeen 2 – 1 St Johnstone". BBC Sport. 7 November 2009. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  8. ^ "Dons look to secure quartet". Sky Sports. 13 November 2009. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  9. ^ "Pawlett pens Dons deal". Sky Sports. 24 November 2009. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  10. ^ Injury ends season for Aberdeen winger Peter Pawlett BBC Sport, 19 February 2010
  11. ^ "Pawlett wins his battle of wounded knee". The Scotsman. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  12. ^ "Aberdeen kid Peter Pawlett: I'm over injury hell". Daily Record. 16 August 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  13. ^ "Aberdeen 1 – 0 Inverness CT". BBC. 30 April 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  14. ^ "Suspensions offered to trio". Sky Sports. 20 December 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  15. ^ "Aberdeen opt not to contest Pawlett ban for simulation". The Scotsman. 22 December 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  16. ^ "St Johnstone take Aberdeen winger Peter Pawlett on short-term loan". sport.stv.tv. STV. 23 August 2012. Archived from the original on 25 August 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  17. ^ "St Johnstone loan star Peter Pawlett admits he wants to remain in Perth for the season". Daily Record. 17 December 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  18. ^ "Peter Pawlett extends loan deal at St Johnstone.. and may be set for permanent switch from Aberdeen". Daily Record. 1 January 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  19. ^ "Ryan Fraser 'will flourish' at Bournemouth – Craig Brown". BBC Sport. 18 January 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  20. ^ "Pawlett recall no surprise to Saints". The Courier. 25 January 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  21. ^ "Peter Pawlett faces disciplinary action from Aberdeen over dive". STV. 28 January 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  22. ^ Gary Deegan Pulls Peter Pawlett's Shorts Down, Aberdeen 0-0 Hibernian, 27/01/2013 – YouTube
  23. ^ "Dundee 1 Aberdeen 1: Dundee relegated from SPL after failing to beat Aberdeen at Dens Park". Daily Record. 5 May 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  24. ^ "Fuming John Brown slams Aberdeen's Peter Pawlett for penalty-winning 'dive' as Dundee are relegated". Daily Record. 5 May 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  25. ^ "Aberdeen accept Peter Pawlett ban for diving". BBC Sport. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  26. ^ "Partick Thistle 0–3 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 14 September 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  27. ^ "St Mirren 1 Aberdeen 1: Pawlett grabs a point for Dons but Saints' battling display gives gaffer lennon revival boost". Daily Record. 1 October 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  28. ^ "St Johnstone 0 Aberdeen 2: Sir Alex Ferguson returns for clash of two of his former clubs". Daily Record. 7 December 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  29. ^ "Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3- 4 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 21 December 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  30. ^ "Derek McInnes hails Dons after late winner at Tannadice". BBC Sport. 1 January 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  31. ^ "Aberdeen: Hayes, Pawlett and Langfield sign new contracts". BBC Sport. 17 November 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  32. ^ "Aberdeen 4 – 0 St Johnstone". BBC Sport. 1 February 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  33. ^ "Celtic 1 – 2 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 8 February 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  34. ^ "Aberdeen fans score Human League hit". BBC News. 19 March 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  35. ^ "Dons agree deal to sign Pawlett". Milton Keynes Dons Official Site. 9 March 2017. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  36. ^ "Milton Keynes Dons 0-1 Wigan Athletic". BBC Sport. 5 August 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  37. ^ "Milton Keynes Dons 4-1 Maidstone United". BBC Sport. 2 December 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  38. ^ "Peter Pawlett is Tangerine". Dundee United. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  39. ^ Spence, Jim (2 February 2019). "Dundee United 2–1 Morton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  40. ^ "SQUAD UPDATE | DEPARTING PLAYERS". Dundee United Football Club. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  41. ^ "Welcome to Peterhead Peter Pawlett". peterheadfc.co.uk. Peterhead FC. 8 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  42. ^ a b Dons youngster Peter Pawlett set for Scotland bow under new FIFA ruling, Daily Record, 4 November 2009
  43. ^ "Scotland: Call for Aberdeen's Mark Reynolds and Peter Pawlett". BBC Sport. 16 May 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  44. ^ Peter Pawlett at Soccerbase
  45. ^ "Peter Pawlett profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  46. ^ Campbell, Andy (16 March 2014). "Aberdeen 0-0 Inverness (aet, 4-2 pens)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  47. ^ Award win for Aberdeen's Pawlett, BBC Sport, 8 December 2009
  48. ^ "Celtic and Dundee United trios in SPFL Premiership team of year". BBC Sport. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2018.

External links

2013–14 PFA Scotland Scottish Premiership Team of the Year
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