Patrick Darren "Paddy" Atkinson (born 22 May 1970 in Singapore) is an English former professional footballer. As a schoolboy he went to several clubs, Newcastle Utd, Sunderland, Notts County, and West Bromwich Albion where he shared digs with Alan Shearer. Paddy signed apprentice forms with Sheffield Utd in 1986 with Ian Portifield as manager.