Paul Simpson (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Paul David Simpson is an English
former footballer and manager. His son Jake
is also a professional footballer.
in the early 1980s. He made his senior debut aged 16, on 2 October 1982 in a 3-2 win against . However, after the club were relegated and new manager Billy McNeill
arrived, Simpson, along with John Beresford
, was briefly loaned out to Irish club Finn Harps
to gain more experience http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1984/0815/Pg003.html#Ar00304:2985CE2D25E1.
He returned during the final stages of 1984/85 campaign and enjoyed a run of games as he scored 6 times in just 10 appearances en route to promotion back to the top flight. The following season saw him become a first choice player, a status he held from then on.
He won five caps for the England under-21 team
during his spell at Maine Road
, adding to three caps at under-18 level. His U21 debut came on 26 March 1986 as a substitute against Denmark on his home ground. He also played in the 1987 Toulon Tournament
, during which he scored.
He left City, now back in the Second Division
, for Oxford United
in October 1988 in a £200,000 deal, after making 155 appeances for them in total. He remained at Oxford for over four years - all spent in the second tier - before signing for Derby County
in February 1992 for £500,000.
The influx of new players that followed the Rams' promotion to the Premier League saw his place under fire for the first time since he had joined. He managed 19 appearances (scoring twice, including Derby's first game back at the top level) during their return to the top flight, but also found himself out on loan at second tier club Sheffield United
to gain more playing time.
initially on a month's loan in October 1997. After impressing with 2 goals in 8 starts, he signed a permanent deal for £75,000. His first season with the club also saw him almost appear in an FA Cup Final
, but they lost to eventual winners in the semi-final.
His second season at Molineux
was less successful as he found himself out of the starting line-up in the opening games. He went on loan to nearby Walsall
of the Second Division
for four months, but returned to Wolves first team when this loan expired. He scored Wolves' final goal of the season in a 3-2 defeat to that meant they missed out on the play-offs.
After a second successive 7th place finish in a season that saw Simpson feature only sparingly, he took a free transfer to Blackpool
in August 2000. Here, he helped the club win promotion from the Third Division
via the play-offs in his first season but he left during his second, to join Rochdale in March 2002. He made nine appearances in the final games of the 2001/02 season for Dale, scoring 6 times. This goal rush helped push the club into the play-offs, where they lost to (despite another goal from Simpson).
departed from Rochdale in 2002, Simpson stepped in as player-manager. He began the season in equally bright goal-scoring form, but as the pressure of management took its toll and he enjoyed a largely unsuccessful season. Simpson left Rochdale after only season in charge where they reached the FA Cup 5th round, an equal club record, but finished 19th after a late turnaround by Macclesfield saw them drop from 13th in the final 10minutes of the season.
. He also played for the club. Carlisle were relegated to the Conference in his first year at Brunton Park
, at a time when the club was struggling financially. A transfer embargo prevented new players being brought in and by December Carlisle were 15 points adrift, and despite an improved latter half of the season, the club were eventually relegated. However, he immediately led Carlisle back to League Two in 2004/05 as Conference National Playoff
winners. Following this, Simpson enjoyed perhaps his best season as a manager, leading Carlisle to double - promotion, winnng promotion to League One as League Two champions. He was also named as the League Two Manager of the Year and in the League Managers Association
statistics was the best manager in the country on points per game above Rafael Benítez
.
Simpson played his final game as a professional player on 6 May 2006 at Edgeley Park
against Stockport County, the club he now manages, on a day where the 2 teams drew 0 - 0, meaning that Carlisle were promoted as champions, and Stockport survived relegation from the Football League.
as manager of Preston North End
, where he led the Lancashire side to the top of the Championship
by December, their highest league placing for 55 years. However, after only being able to bring 3 free transfers in January they were unable to maintain this position and missed out on the play-offs by goal difference despite beating already promoted Birmingham on the last day. After losing key player David Nugent
, the team made a bad start to the 2007-08 season (including just three victories) resulting in Simpson being sacked on 13 November 2007.
club Shrewsbury Town
, replacing Gary Peters
who had left Shrewsbury by mutual consent after a poor run of results. After helping them avoid relegation in his first season Simpson then took them to the Play-off Final where they lost to a last minute goal. In the following campaign after an overall decent first half of the season, Shrewsbury were dealt six straight defeats in March and April, ultimately costing them a place in the play-offs. He was sacked as manager on 30 April 2010.
Simpson was charged with the task of rebuilding a squad which has been ravaged by administration, and ensuring the survival of the club in League Two in the coming season. He appointed Peter Ward as his assistant manager, and former youth team manager Alan Lord was put in charge of Youth Development. Both Ward and Lord were returning to County having previously worked there under former manager Jim Gannon
between 2005 and 2009. Ward was also a former Stockport captain, playing for the club in the 1990s. Simpson also employed former coach Stuart Delaney as Youth Team Manager.
Simpson made his first new signing as County boss on 14 July 2010, bringing former Hull City
right-back Mark Lynch from Rotherham United on a free transfer.
Simpson was sacked on 4 January 2011 after a run of just three wins in 19 games, which were coupled with some diabolical performances. Simpson is now suing Stockport County for unfair dismissal.
Derby County
Blackpool
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 footballer and manager. His son Jake
Jake Simpson
Jake Simpson is an English footballer who currently plays for Conference North outfit Workington. Having played in the youth teams for Blackburn Rovers, he moved to Shrewsbury Town, where his father Paul was manager...
is also a professional footballer.
Manchester City
Simpson began his playing career as a schoolboy at Manchester CityManchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
in the early 1980s. He made his senior debut aged 16, on 2 October 1982 in a 3-2 win against . However, after the club were relegated and new manager Billy McNeill
Billy McNeill
William "Billy" McNeill MBE is a former Scottish footballer and manager. He is best known for captaining Celtic to the European Cup triumph in 1967 and he later went on to manage the club. He is now the official Club Ambassador at Celtic....
arrived, Simpson, along with John Beresford
John Beresford (footballer)
John Beresford is a former English football player who played as a defender, who is currently a pundit for ITV Tyne Tees and ESPN.-Football career:...
, was briefly loaned out to Irish club Finn Harps
Finn Harps F.C.
Finn Harps Football Club are a professional Irish football club playing in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1954 and elected to the league in 1969. They hail from Ballybofey, County Donegal and play their home matches at Finn Park. The club's colours are blue...
to gain more experience http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1984/0815/Pg003.html#Ar00304:2985CE2D25E1.
He returned during the final stages of 1984/85 campaign and enjoyed a run of games as he scored 6 times in just 10 appearances en route to promotion back to the top flight. The following season saw him become a first choice player, a status he held from then on.
He won five caps for the England under-21 team
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
during his spell at Maine Road
Maine Road
Maine Road was a football stadium in Moss Side, Manchester, England that was home to Manchester City F.C. from its construction in 1923 until 2003...
, adding to three caps at under-18 level. His U21 debut came on 26 March 1986 as a substitute against Denmark on his home ground. He also played in the 1987 Toulon Tournament
Toulon Tournament
The Toulon Tournament is a football tournament which traditionally features invited national teams composed of under-21 players, although the first tournament in 1967 featured club teams...
, during which he scored.
He left City, now back in the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
, for 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 October 1988 in a £200,000 deal, after making 155 appeances for them in total. He remained at Oxford for over four years - all spent in the second tier - before signing for 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...
in February 1992 for £500,000.
Derby days
The winger joined Derby in the midst of a promotion challenge but, despite finishing 3rd, they lost in the play-offs to 6th-placed . The club had three more successive failed promotion attempts (including losing the 1994 play-off final to rivals ) before they won automatic promotion in 1995/96. He was a first choice player throughout this period, and twice reached double figures in his goal return.The influx of new players that followed the Rams' promotion to the Premier League saw his place under fire for the first time since he had joined. He managed 19 appearances (scoring twice, including Derby's first game back at the top level) during their return to the top flight, but also found himself out on loan at second tier club Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
to gain more playing time.
Wolves
After failing to feature in the opening months of the Rams' 1997/98 season, he dropped down a division to join Wolverhampton WanderersWolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
initially on a month's loan in October 1997. After impressing with 2 goals in 8 starts, he signed a permanent deal for £75,000. His first season with the club also saw him almost appear in an FA Cup Final
FA Cup Final
The FA Cup Final, commonly referred to in England as just the Cup Final, is the last match in the Football Association Challenge Cup. With an official attendance of 89,826 at the 2007 FA Cup Final, it is the fourth best attended domestic club championship event in the world and the second most...
, but they lost to eventual winners in the semi-final.
His second season at Molineux
Molineux stadium
Molineux Stadium is a Premier League football stadium situated in Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, England. It has been the home ground of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club since 1889, and has a long and illustrious history as the first 'new build' stadium in Football League history, one of the...
was less successful as he found himself out of the starting line-up in the opening games. He went on loan to nearby Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
of the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
for four months, but returned to Wolves first team when this loan expired. He scored Wolves' final goal of the season in a 3-2 defeat to that meant they missed out on the play-offs.
After a second successive 7th place finish in a season that saw Simpson feature only sparingly, he took a free transfer to Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
in August 2000. Here, he helped the club win promotion from the Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
via the play-offs in his first season but he left during his second, to join Rochdale in March 2002. He made nine appearances in the final games of the 2001/02 season for Dale, scoring 6 times. This goal rush helped push the club into the play-offs, where they lost to (despite another goal from Simpson).
Rochdale
After manager John HollinsJohn Hollins
John William Hollins MBE is a retired English footballer and manager. He was initially a midfielder who, later in his career, became an effective centre back.Hollins' son, Chris Hollins is the main sport presenter on BBC Breakfast....
departed from Rochdale in 2002, Simpson stepped in as player-manager. He began the season in equally bright goal-scoring form, but as the pressure of management took its toll and he enjoyed a largely unsuccessful season. Simpson left Rochdale after only season in charge where they reached the FA Cup 5th round, an equal club record, but finished 19th after a late turnaround by Macclesfield saw them drop from 13th in the final 10minutes of the season.
Carlisle United
Following his departure from Rochdale, Simpson moved back to his home town, where he became the manager of Carlisle UnitedCarlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
. He also played for the club. Carlisle were relegated to the Conference in his first year at Brunton Park
Brunton Park
Brunton Park is a football stadium and the home of Carlisle United F.C. It is situated in the city of Carlisle, Cumbria and has a certified capacity for the 2011/2012 season of 18,202. The ground opened in 1909...
, at a time when the club was struggling financially. A transfer embargo prevented new players being brought in and by December Carlisle were 15 points adrift, and despite an improved latter half of the season, the club were eventually relegated. However, he immediately led Carlisle back to League Two in 2004/05 as Conference National Playoff
Conference National Playoff Final 2005
The 2004-05 Conference National Playoff Final took place on 14 May 2005 and was contested between Stevenage Borough and Carlisle United. It was held at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke and had an attendance of 13,422.-Match summary:...
winners. Following this, Simpson enjoyed perhaps his best season as a manager, leading Carlisle to double - promotion, winnng promotion to League One as League Two champions. He was also named as the League Two Manager of the Year and in the League Managers Association
League Managers Association
The League Managers Association is the organisation which collectively represents all Premiership and Football League managers in English football...
statistics was the best manager in the country on points per game above Rafael Benítez
Rafael Benítez
Rafael "Rafa" Benítez Maudes is a football manager, and former player. He is currently unemployed, after leaving as manager of Internazionale in December 2010....
.
Simpson played his final game as a professional player on 6 May 2006 at Edgeley Park
Edgeley Park
Edgeley Park is an association football and rugby union stadium in Stockport, England. The stadium was initially built for the rugby league club Stockport in 1901, but by 1902, the rugby club was defunct and in the same year, Stockport County Football Club, who were looking for a bigger ground,...
against Stockport County, the club he now manages, on a day where the 2 teams drew 0 - 0, meaning that Carlisle were promoted as champions, and Stockport survived relegation from the Football League.
Preston North End
In June 2006, following his success at Carlisle, Simpson left the club to replaceBilly DaviesBilly Davies
William McIntosh "Billy" Davies is a Glasgow-born Scottish football manager, noted for his achievement in the Football League Championship with East Midlands Rivals Derby County and Nottingham Forest and Preston North End which has led him to be described, in 2011, as "probably the best manager at...
as manager of Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
, where he led the Lancashire side to the top of the Championship
Championship
Championship is a term used in sport to refer to various forms of competition in which the aim is to decide which individual or team is the champion.- Title match system :...
by December, their highest league placing for 55 years. However, after only being able to bring 3 free transfers in January they were unable to maintain this position and missed out on the play-offs by goal difference despite beating already promoted Birmingham on the last day. After losing key player David Nugent
David Nugent
David James Nugent is an English footballer striker, who currently plays for Leicester City . Before joining Leicester, Nugent made a total of 228 appearances in the Football League playing for Bury, Preston North End and Portsmouth...
, the team made a bad start to the 2007-08 season (including just three victories) resulting in Simpson being sacked on 13 November 2007.
Shrewsbury Town
On 12 March 2008, he was appointed manager of League TwoFootball League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
club Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
, replacing Gary Peters
Gary Peters (footballer)
Gary David Peters is an English former professional footballer and now manager. He is currently Director of Football at Hereford United.-Playing career:...
who had left Shrewsbury by mutual consent after a poor run of results. After helping them avoid relegation in his first season Simpson then took them to the Play-off Final where they lost to a last minute goal. In the following campaign after an overall decent first half of the season, Shrewsbury were dealt six straight defeats in March and April, ultimately costing them a place in the play-offs. He was sacked as manager on 30 April 2010.
Stockport County
Simpson was confirmed as the new manager of Stockport County on 12 July 2010 following a takeover by The 2015 Group. He replaced former manager Gary Ablett, who was sacked by the club's new owners after the club spend the entire season in administration - the worst season in the club's history, with County gaining just 25 points from 46 games.Simpson was charged with the task of rebuilding a squad which has been ravaged by administration, and ensuring the survival of the club in League Two in the coming season. He appointed Peter Ward as his assistant manager, and former youth team manager Alan Lord was put in charge of Youth Development. Both Ward and Lord were returning to County having previously worked there under former manager Jim Gannon
Jim Gannon
James Paul "Jim" Gannon is a former footballer and football manager, who is now Director of football and manager of Conference National team Stockport County...
between 2005 and 2009. Ward was also a former Stockport captain, playing for the club in the 1990s. Simpson also employed former coach Stuart Delaney as Youth Team Manager.
Simpson made his first new signing as County boss on 14 July 2010, bringing former Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
right-back Mark Lynch from Rotherham United on a free transfer.
Simpson was sacked on 4 January 2011 after a run of just three wins in 19 games, which were coupled with some diabolical performances. Simpson is now suing Stockport County for unfair dismissal.
As a player
Manchester City- Division TwoFootball League Second DivisionFrom 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
promotion: 1984/51984-85 in English footballThe 1984–85 season was the 105th season of competitive football in England.-Bradford City disaster:56 spectators died and more than 200 were injured when a fire ripped through the Main Stand at Valley Parade during Bradford City's Third Division fixture with Lincoln City on 11 May...
Derby County
- Division OneFootball League First DivisionThe First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
promotion: 1995/61995-96 in English football- Premiership :Newcastle United were 12 points clear at the top of Manchester United, but Alex Ferguson's relatively young and inexperienced side overhauled them during the second half of the season to win the title....
Blackpool
- Division ThreeFootball League Third DivisionThe Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
play-off final winner: 2000/12000-01 in English footballThe 2000–01 season was the 121st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Manchester United secured their 3rd Premiership title in succession and their 7th title in just nine seasons... - Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
winner: 2001/22001-02 in English footballThe 2001-02 season was the 122nd season of competitive football in England.-Arsenal cruise to title glory:In what had earlier been one of the most closely fought Premiership title races for years, Arsenal won the championship by seven points. Their crown was won in the penultimate game of the...
As a manager
Carlisle United- Football ConferenceFootball ConferenceThe Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
promotion play-off winnerConference National Playoff Final 2005The 2004-05 Conference National Playoff Final took place on 14 May 2005 and was contested between Stevenage Borough and Carlisle United. It was held at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke and had an attendance of 13,422.-Match summary:...
: 2004/52004-05 in English footballThe 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League... - League TwoFootball League Third DivisionThe Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
championship: 2005/62005-06 in English footballThe 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
Managerial statistics
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | ||||
| Rochdale Rochdale A.F.C. Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921... |
29 May 2002 | 7 May 2003 |
||||||
| Carlisle United Carlisle United F.C. Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system.... |
29 August 2003 | 17 June 2006 |
||||||
| Preston North End Preston North End F.C. Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One... |
17 June 2006 | 13 November 2007 |
||||||
| Shrewsbury Town Shrewsbury Town F.C. Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football... |
12 March 2008 | 30 April 2010 |
||||||
| Stockport County Stockport County F.C. Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport... |
12 July 2010 | 4 January 2011 |
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