Goalkeeper Paul Rutherford from Bury St Edmonds was previously with Norwich City and Colchester before joining Tottenham's Academy according to the Official Spurs website

Released by Spurs at the end of the 2002/03 season, Paul trialled with Dagenham & Redbridge before signing for Ryman Leaguers Braintree Town in August 2003 where he would compete for the Number 1 shirt with fellow new signing Glenn Wizik who had been with Chelsea.

Braintree released him from his contract in November 2004 so he could seek first-team football after Ridgeons Leaguers Wroxham approached him. League rules prevented Braintree from loaning Rutherford to Wroxham. With Braintree covered between the posts since Danny Gay joined in the summer of 2004, Braintree agreed to release Paul from his contract although all a parties concerned agreed that Braintree would receive compensation if Rutherford signed for another Ryman League side. He would remain on Braintree's books as a non-contract player. Braintree chairman Lee Harding said "The compensation agreement is fair for both the club and Paul and I'm pleased to see him able to play regular football again. That said, I hope this is not the end of our association with Paul, who will be welcome to continue to train with us and use all our physiotherapy facilities."

Paul returned to Essex and to the Ryman League in January 2005 when he joined Heybridge Swifts. When Swifts played Braintree over Easter 2005, it cost them £1000 to field Rutherford under the terms of their agreement. He moved to AFC Sudbury in mid-May 2005, being promised to be first choice keeper. Following their promotion into the Ryman League Division One North (starting with the 2006/7 season), Paul was one of four out-of-contract players who was not offered a new contract. Paul signed for Halstead Town, of the Ridgeons League, in early July 2006.

Paul joined Wivenhoe in August 2008 after a short spell with Braintree Town.

Paul joined FC Clacton three days before the start of the 2010/11 season. After winning the Player's Player and Manager's Player of the Year awards in 2010/11, he was named as club Captain for 2011/12 but departed to join Stanway Rovers.