Paul James

James developed into a top class midfield player while with the Toronto Blizzard. On the Blizzard team, James scored against the then famed New York Cosmos. He played in the North American Soccer League and Canadian Soccer League, where he earned first team all-star honours on four consecutive occasions. In 1986, he played in the National Soccer League with Toronto Blizzard. He also had a short stint with English league outfit Doncaster Rovers.

Welsh-born James became a Canadian citizen in 1983 and arrived on the international scene when he made full appearances for Canada at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. He made his senior debut for Canada in a December 1983 friendly match against Mexico in Irapuato, James played in all four of Canada's games at Los Angeles Olympics including quarter final game against Brazil losing on penalty kicks He made 46 international "A" appearances for Canada (two goals) as well as additional "B" appearances including the Olympic Games. James scored a crucial equalizer for Canada against Costa Rica in Toronto in 1985 that would help Canada qualify for the 1986 FIFA World Cup finals in Mexico. He also played for Canada in the penultimate game in the 1985 CONCACAF Championship that would secure the national team the continental title along with the lone North American spot in the 1986 FIFA World Cup. A member of the country's 1986 World Cup team, he played in all three games in the group stage of the finals. He represented Canada in 7 World Cup qualifiers. James' last two games for Canada were a pair of friendlies in March 1993, a 2-2 draw against the United States in Los Angeles, and his final international match, a 2-0 loss against South Korea in Coquitlam, British Columbia.

International goals

Scores and results list Canada's goal tally first.

After serving as player/coach at Ottawa and London, James also coached at LeMoyne College in Syracuse, New York, leading them to within one game of an NCAA berth and an NCAA Division II national ranking as high as 12th, Niagara University and Canada men's national under-20 soccer team. As head coach of the Under-20 team, he led them to the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina. James thus became the first Canadian to represent Canada at a FIFA World Championships both as a player and coach. Through his coaching career, Paul has garnered six coach of the year awards at varying levels including; CSL, NCAA, and OUA. In 2007, James received the CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport) national coach of the year award. James has a reputation for developing successful soccer programs. In 2008, James coached York to the CIS Canadian Championship game where they won the title. On January 16, 2010, James announced his departure from York University after serving with the Lions for six years.

Canada

CONCACAF Championship: 1985