Ronnie Simpson
Encyclopedia
Ronald "Ronnie" Campbell Simpson (11 October 1930 — 19 April 2004) was a Scottish
football goalkeeper. He is mainly remembered for his time with Celtic
, where he was one of the Lisbon Lions
, the first British team to win the European Cup
in 1967.
. When at Queens Park, Simpson was selected by Matt Busby
to play for the Great Britain
side in the 1948 Summer Olympics
. He also represented the Scotland Youth side in a match against England Youth played on October 25th 1947 at Belle Vue, Doncaster. Simpson moved to and Third Lanark, and then Newcastle United
. He won the FA Cup
twice with Newcastle, after taking over as their regular goalkeeper from Jack Fairbrother
. He then returned to Scotland with Hibernian
.
. Simpson's anticipation, handling and maintaining his concentration during long periods of inactivity, made him an ideal goalkeeper for the attack-minded Celtic; and he soon won the Celtic number one place from Fallon. The highlight of his time at Celtic was winning the 1967 European Cup Final
. Although having little to do during the match, his fancy footwork when dealing with a backpass was one of the highlights of the match.In 2002 he was in Celtics Greatest ever team and beat Patrick Bonner to the best Celtic Goalkeeper ever.
, making his debut at the age of 36 in the famous 3–2 win over 1966 FIFA World Cup
winners England
at Wembley in 1967. He set a new record for being the oldest player to make his Scotland debut. Simpson won five full caps in total, alongside the Youth and B international caps won earlier in his career.
also played for Scotland, and enjoyed notable success as a centre-half for Rangers
and Dundee United
in the 1930s. After he retired as a player, he was manager of Hamilton Academical for a year. He also served on the pools panel, which guessed results of postponed matches in periods of exceptionally bad weather. He was also a Conservative
Councillor on Edinburgh City Council in the 1970s.
He died from a heart attack
on 19 April 2004. Simpson was posthumously inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame
in November 2011.
Celtic
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
football goalkeeper. He is mainly remembered for his time with Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
, where he was one of the Lisbon Lions
Lisbon Lions
The Lisbon Lions is the nickname given to the Celtic team that won the European Cup at the Estádio Nacional in Lisbon, Portugal on 25 May 1967, defeating Internazionale 2–1. All the members of this team were born within 30 miles of Glasgow, Scotland. Celtic's style was the antithesis of the...
, the first British team to win the 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...
in 1967.
Early career
Simpson started his senior career with amateur club Queen's ParkQueen's Park F.C.
Queen's Park Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland. The club are currently the only amateur club in the Scottish League; their amateur status is reflected by their motto, Ludere Causa Ludendi – to play for the sake of playing.Queen's Park are the oldest...
. When at Queens Park, Simpson was selected by Matt Busby
Matt Busby
Sir Alexander Matthew "Matt" Busby, CBE, KCSG was a Scottish football player and manager, most noted for managing Manchester United between 1945 and 1969 and again for the second half of the 1970–1971 season...
to play for the Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
side in the 1948 Summer Olympics
1948 Summer Olympics
The 1948 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in London, England, United Kingdom. After a 12-year hiatus because of World War II, these were the first Summer Olympics since the 1936 Games in Berlin...
. He also represented the Scotland Youth side in a match against England Youth played on October 25th 1947 at Belle Vue, Doncaster. Simpson moved to and Third Lanark, and then 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 won the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
twice with Newcastle, after taking over as their regular goalkeeper from Jack Fairbrother
Jack Fairbrother
John 'Jack' Fairbrother was an English professional football goalkeeper, best known for his time at Newcastle United shortly after the Second World War. His uncle George Harrison played for Everton and England.-Footballer:...
. He then returned to Scotland with Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
.
Celtic
Thought to be in the last throes of his career, he was transferred to Celtic in 1965 as cover for John FallonJohn Fallon
John Fallon is a Scottish former professional footballer and member of the Celtic squad that won the European Cup in 1967, which came to be known as the Lisbon Lions....
. Simpson's anticipation, handling and maintaining his concentration during long periods of inactivity, made him an ideal goalkeeper for the attack-minded Celtic; and he soon won the Celtic number one place from Fallon. The highlight of his time at Celtic was winning the 1967 European Cup Final
1967 European Cup Final
The 1967 European Cup Final was a football match between Italian team Inter Milan and Scottish team Celtic. It took place at the Estádio Nacional in Lisbon, Portugal on 25 May 1967 in front of a crowd of 45,000. It was the final of the 1966–67 European Cup, the premier club competition run by...
. Although having little to do during the match, his fancy footwork when dealing with a backpass was one of the highlights of the match.In 2002 he was in Celtics Greatest ever team and beat Patrick Bonner to the best Celtic Goalkeeper ever.
International
Simpson also played for the Scotland national football teamScotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
, making his debut at the age of 36 in the famous 3–2 win over 1966 FIFA World Cup
1966 FIFA World Cup
The 1966 FIFA World Cup, the eighth staging of the World Cup, was held in England from 11 July to 30 July. England beat West Germany 4–2 in the final, winning the World Cup for the first time, so becoming the first host to win the tournament since Italy in 1934.-Host selection:England was chosen as...
winners England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
at Wembley in 1967. He set a new record for being the oldest player to make his Scotland debut. Simpson won five full caps in total, alongside the Youth and B international caps won earlier in his career.
Personal and later life
Simpson's father Jimmy SimpsonJimmy Simpson
For the Depression-era mayor of Toronto see James Simpson James McMillan Simpson was a Scottish international footballer who played as a centre half....
also played for Scotland, and enjoyed notable success as a centre-half for Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
and Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
in the 1930s. After he retired as a player, he was manager of Hamilton Academical for a year. He also served on the pools panel, which guessed results of postponed matches in periods of exceptionally bad weather. He was also a Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
Councillor on Edinburgh City Council in the 1970s.
He died from a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
on 19 April 2004. Simpson was posthumously inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame
Scottish Football Hall of Fame
The Scottish Football Hall of Fame is located at the Scottish Football Museum. Inductees are picked each year by fans and a committee selects the eight finalists who are inducted at an annual dinner....
in November 2011.
As a player
Newcastle UnitedNewcastle 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...
- FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
winner: 1952FA Cup Final 1952The 1952 FA Cup Final was the final match of the 1951-52 staging of the Football Association Challenge Cup , English football's main cup competition. The match was contested by Newcastle United and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday 3 May 1952...
, 1955
Celtic
- European CupUEFA Champions LeagueThe 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...
(1) - Scottish League champion (4)
- Scottish CupScottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
(3) - Scottish League CupScottish League CupThe Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
(5)
External links
- Ronnie Simpson, Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Database
- obituary from scottishleague.net