Paul Dodsworth is a centre half from Hadleigh near Ipswich who played for the Under 19s whilst still a schoolboy. He was with Norwich since the Under 14s initially training at the club's centre of excellence at Colchester. When this closed down, he was expected to follow Roy Massey to Arsenal but instead opted for Norwich signing on a three year scholarship at the end of the 1999/2000 season. Described as a good passer of the ball, Paul has missed the 2000/01 season through injury (shin splints)

Paul progressed through the academy. In November 2001, he joined Great Yarmouth Town on a month's work experience to help him recover from injury. In February 2003, Norwich announced that they would not be offering Paul a professional contract when his scholarship with the Canaries expires at the end of the season. After two years of injury, Paul returned to competitive football in August 2004 when he signed for Ridgeons' League side Hadleigh United