dˈʊɹɹɪŋ hɪz pɹəfˈɛʃənəl plˈeɪɪŋ kɚɹˈɪɹ, pˈæɾɚsən plˈeɪd æz ɐ sˈɛntɹəl dᵻfˈɛndɚ ænd dʒˈɔɪnd mˈæntʃɛstɚ juːnˈaɪɾᵻd fɹʌm hˈaɪlənd lˈiːɡ klˈʌb nˈɛɹn kˈaʊnti ɪn dʒuːlˈaɪ nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd sˈɛvənti fˈaɪv.
During his professional playing career, Paterson played as a central defender and joined Manchester United from Highland League club Nairn County in July 1975.