John Sims (footballer)
Encyclopedia
John Sims is an English
former professional footballer, playing as a forward, and football manager.
Sims began his career as an apprentice with Derby County
, turning professional in August 1970. His league debut came as a substitute on 16 December 1972 when he replace David Nish
with 4 minutes remaining in a 1-1 home draw with Newcastle United
. He made only two further appearances for Derby, although one of those was as a substitute in a European Cup
semi-final against Juventus
.
He had loan spells with Luton Town
in November 1973, Oxford United
in September 1974 and Colchester United
in January 1975, before moving to Notts County
in December 1975 for a fee of £10,000.
He moved to Exeter City
, managed by Bobby Saxton
in December 1978 for £12,000, but stayed less than a year, moving to local rivals Plymouth Argyle
, where Saxton was now manager, in October 1979, costing the Pilgrims £22,500. He quickly established himself at Home Park, making 183 appearances, scoring 48 goals and was voted Player of the Season in 1982 by the Plymouth fans.
He left Plymouth in August 1983, joining the third Devon
professional team, Torquay United
. His initial stay at Torquay was a short one, re-joining Exeter City in February 1984, Sims being one of the players moved on as a cost-cutting measure by new Torquay manager David Webb
. He returned to Torquay in November 1984, this time as player-coach under Webb and in August 1985 was appointed manager when Webb's position changed to general manager. However, his spell in charge at Plainmoor lasted just 33 days and later that year he joined non-league Saltash United
. He was later player-manager of non-league Waldon Athletic and ran a pub in Torquay
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former professional footballer, playing as a forward, and football manager.
Sims began his career as an apprentice with Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
, turning professional in August 1970. His league debut came as a substitute on 16 December 1972 when he replace David Nish
David Nish
David John Nish was an English former footballer who broke the then British transfer record in 1972 by paying £225,000 for his signature.-Club:...
with 4 minutes remaining in a 1-1 home draw with Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
. He made only two further appearances for Derby, although one of those was as a substitute in a European Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
semi-final against Juventus
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
.
He had loan spells with Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
in November 1973, Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
in September 1974 and Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
in January 1975, before moving to Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
in December 1975 for a fee of £10,000.
He moved to Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
, managed by Bobby Saxton
Bobby Saxton
Robert "Bobby" Saxton is an English former footballer, manager and coach, now working as a scout for Sunderland F.C..-Biography:...
in December 1978 for £12,000, but stayed less than a year, moving to local rivals Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
, where Saxton was now manager, in October 1979, costing the Pilgrims £22,500. He quickly established himself at Home Park, making 183 appearances, scoring 48 goals and was voted Player of the Season in 1982 by the Plymouth fans.
He left Plymouth in August 1983, joining the third Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
professional team, Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
. His initial stay at Torquay was a short one, re-joining Exeter City in February 1984, Sims being one of the players moved on as a cost-cutting measure by new Torquay manager David Webb
David Webb (footballer)
David James Webb is an English former professional footballer who made 555 appearances in the Football League playing for Leyton Orient, Southampton, Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers, Leicester City, Derby County, A.F.C. Bournemouth and Torquay United. He became a manager, taking charge of A.F.C...
. He returned to Torquay in November 1984, this time as player-coach under Webb and in August 1985 was appointed manager when Webb's position changed to general manager. However, his spell in charge at Plainmoor lasted just 33 days and later that year he joined non-league Saltash United
Saltash United F.C.
Saltash United Football Club is a football club based in Saltash, Cornwall, in the United Kingdom. They were founding members of the South Western League in 1951 and won the title two times in their history...
. He was later player-manager of non-league Waldon Athletic and ran a pub in Torquay
Torquay
Torquay is a town in the unitary authority area of Torbay and ceremonial county of Devon, England. It lies south of Exeter along the A380 on the north of Torbay, north-east of Plymouth and adjoins the neighbouring town of Paignton on the west of the bay. Torquay’s population of 63,998 during the...