Star made over 100 Sheffield United appearances - He's now playing in the Scottish fifth tier | OneFootball

Paul Coutts has had a major change of environment since his days at Bramall Lane

Over the course of his career, Paul Coutts played for a number of clubs in the EFL, with Preston North End, Sheffield United and Derby County all calling him theirs during his earlier years.

With over 400 appearances in the divisions that make up the English Football League, the midfielder boasts a wealth of experience on the pitch, while also helping the Blades achieve two promotions during his time at Bramall Lane.

After leaving Yorkshire, the Scot had stints at Fleetwood Town, Salford City and Bristol Rovers, before departing the Memorial Ground in the summer of 2023, and heading back to his homeland.

But at 36 years of age, he is still turning out on a regular basis for Scottish Highland League side Inverurie Loco Works, with the Railwayman currently operating in Scotland’s fifth tier in the Highland League.

Paul Coutts helped Sheffield United earn League One, Championship promotions

Coutts had earned a reputation as an influential player in the EFL during his days at Deepdale and Pride Park, having first made the breakthrough into the EFL at Peterborough United.

Having fallen on hard times in the third tier, Sheffield United wanted experience and nous to get themselves out of the mess they had were in, and found a loyal servant in Coutts, who would go on to have a major impact at the club.

A solid performer in the middle of the park, the midfielder played in all but three of the Blades’ matches during the 2016/17 campaign, as Chris Wilder finally led the side back into the Championship.

Once United were back in the second tier, they hit the ground running, with a top-half finish marking their intentions as they renewed adversaries with a number of sides.

For Coutts, that year turned into something of a watching brief, with a horrific broken tibia sustained against Burton Albion in November, leaving him spectating from the sidelines for much of the campaign.

That pattern would continue in the 2018/19 campaign as the Blades earned a return to the Premier League, with the midfielder departing the club after just one league start all season.

However, after playing a massive part of the start of United's moving up the divisions from League One to the Premier League, Coutts will be forever remembered at Bramall Lane for his impact - even if it waned due to unfortunate circumstances in the division above.

Paul Coutts' career path took an unexpected twist with Scottish fifth tier move

Having had such a long time out of the game due to injury, you can’t blame Coutts for wanting to prolong his career as long as possible, and has done so after moving to Inverurie in the summer of 2023.

Having left Bristol Rovers, the thought of hanging up his boots for good had crossed his mind, before the decision was made to take up a player-coach role with the Highland League outfit.

Coutts said at the time: “I moved back up this summer. We bought a house in Inverurie and my wife Vicki and my kids have been in Inverurie for the last couple of years.

“I thought I was retired, but I was invited to train with Inverurie and after a couple of sessions I was enjoying it and thought I could help the club out.

“I’d made the decision that was me finished playing full-time football because of the demands it puts on you physically, but also with time away from family.

“I’ve had a good career and I thought it was the natural end to it rather than still floating about clubs in England.

“It’s been good being at home, and the opportunity with Inverurie came up and it ticks all the boxes.”

Since then, Coutts has continued to play his part for a side competing for promotion from the Highland League this season, with the race currently on alongside Brechin City, Brora Rangers and Banks o’ Dee FC at the top of the table.

He's even the regular penalty taker for the club and it appears he's taken up a position change, with information showing that he played in a back three during the Locos' Scottish FA Cup second round defeat to Dundee North End back in October.

Sheffield United fans will know what a character he was during his playing days, and that attitude has seen him warm to the task in his new surroundings, as he winds down his career playing with a smile on his face.