Simon Donnelly
Encyclopedia
Simon Thomas Donnelly is a Scottish
professional footballer currently with Partick Thistle
.
but left in 1993 to join Celtic
. Donnelly made his league debut towards the end of the 1993–94 season
, appearing as a substitute in a 0–0 draw against Hibernian
. Playing in the majority of matches from March onwards, Donnelly netted five league goals in 12 appearances. He failed to improve on this tally in the following season as he did not score in 17 outings, although he reached both domestic cup finals, being part of Celtic's Scottish Cup
-winning side. In the 1995–96 season
, Donnelly became a regular, missing only one league match and scoring six goals, and featured in the majority of the 1996–97 campaign
.
The 1997–98 season
saw Donnelly's best return of goals, scoring 10 goals in 30 league matches as Celtic won the Scottish Premier Division and Scottish League Cup
. The following season, Donnelly netted five goals in 23 appearances in what was his final year at Celtic Park
. In July 1999, Donnelly – along with Phil O'Donnell – joined Sheffield Wednesday
on a Bosman free transfer
.
Donnelly's time at Wednesday was interrupted by a series of injuries and he played only a dozen matches in the Premier League
that season, scoring once as Wednesday were relegated. The following season, Donnelly featured in just three matches, although he played in 23 games in the 2001–02 season
. In his final season at Hillsborough
, Donnelly scored two goals in fifteen league matches before being released. Joining Coventry City
on trial, Donnelly instead returned to Scotland with St Johnstone
, signing a one-year deal in August 2003. Surprisingly, given his injury history, Donnelly featured in every league match, scoring eight goals before signing for Dunfermline Athletic
in July. During his time at East End Park
, his injuries returned and he was released two years later having made fewer than forty league appearances. He joined Partick Thistle
in June 2006 and played regularly before his release in May 2009.
After three seasons as a player at Thistle, Donnelly was initially released at the end of the 2008–09 season. However, following the departure of John Henry to Burnley, Donnelly rejoined The Jags as a player-coach.
In a similar pattern, Donnelly was then released at the end of the 2009-10 season but later re-signed on a one year contract.
debut, making substitute appearances in the friendly
matches against Wales
and Malta
.
The following season Donnelly also featured regularly for Scotland, playing in a number of friendlies ahead of the 1998 World Cup, although Donnelly failed to make an appearance during the tournament.
Donnelly won ten Scotland caps during his career, and played for Scotland under-21
before appearing for the senior side.
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...
professional footballer currently with Partick Thistle
Partick Thistle F.C.
Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908...
.
Club career
Donnelly, a wide-sided forward, started his career at 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...
but left in 1993 to join 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...
. Donnelly made his league debut towards the end of the 1993–94 season
1993-94 in Scottish football
The 1993–94 season was the 97th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season saw several teams relegated from the 1st and 2nd divisions in preparation for the introduction of a 3rd division the following season.-Notable events:...
, appearing as a substitute in a 0–0 draw against 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...
. Playing in the majority of matches from March onwards, Donnelly netted five league goals in 12 appearances. He failed to improve on this tally in the following season as he did not score in 17 outings, although he reached both domestic cup finals, being part of Celtic's Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The 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...
-winning side. In the 1995–96 season
1995-96 in Scottish football
The 1995–96 season was the 99th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Summary:Rangers won the Premier Division with a record 87 points, finishing four ahead of rivals Celtic. Aberdeen were third with 55 points ....
, Donnelly became a regular, missing only one league match and scoring six goals, and featured in the majority of the 1996–97 campaign
1996-97 in Scottish football
The 1996–97 season was the 100th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season seen a playoff system introduced between the 2nd bottom club in the Premier Division and the 2nd top club in Division One.-Scottish Premier Division:...
.
The 1997–98 season
1997-98 in Scottish football
The 1997–98 season was the 101st season of competitive football in Scotland. Celtic halted Rangers in their bid for a record 10-in-a-row.-Scottish Premier Division:-Top scorers:-Table:-Top scorers:-Table:-Top scorers:-Table:...
saw Donnelly's best return of goals, scoring 10 goals in 30 league matches as Celtic won the Scottish Premier Division and Scottish League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The 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...
. The following season, Donnelly netted five goals in 23 appearances in what was his final year at Celtic Park
Celtic Park
Celtic Park is a football stadium in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which is the home ground of Celtic FC. Celtic Park, an all-seater stadium with a capacity of 60,832, is the largest football stadium in Scotland and the sixth-largest stadium in the United Kingdom, after Murrayfield, Old Trafford,...
. In July 1999, Donnelly – along with Phil O'Donnell – joined Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
on a Bosman free transfer
Bosman ruling
Union Royale Belge des Sociétés de Football Association ASBL v Jean-Marc Bosman is a 1995 European Court of Justice decision concerning freedom of movement for workers, freedom of association, and direct effect of article 39 of the EC Treaty...
.
Donnelly's time at Wednesday was interrupted by a series of injuries and he played only a dozen matches in the Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
that season, scoring once as Wednesday were relegated. The following season, Donnelly featured in just three matches, although he played in 23 games in the 2001–02 season
2001-02 in English football
The 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...
. In his final season at Hillsborough
Hillsborough Stadium
Hillsborough Stadium is the home of Sheffield Wednesday football club, Sheffield, England. Football has been played at the ground since it was opened on 2 September 1899, when Wednesday moved from their original ground at Olive Grove. Today it is a 39,812 capacity all-seater stadium, making it the...
, Donnelly scored two goals in fifteen league matches before being released. Joining Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
on trial, Donnelly instead returned to Scotland with St Johnstone
St Johnstone F.C.
St. Johnstone F.C. is a professional football club based in Perth, Scotland. Although it is officially recorded as being formed in 1884, the club did not play its first game until February 1885. The club's home since 1989 has been McDiarmid Park....
, signing a one-year deal in August 2003. Surprisingly, given his injury history, Donnelly featured in every league match, scoring eight goals before signing for Dunfermline Athletic
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
in July. During his time at East End Park
East End Park
East End Park is a football stadium situated in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland with a seating capacity of 11,380.The stadium plays host to the home matches of Scottish Premier League side, Dunfermline Athletic F.C. It currently comprises four stands: East Stand, Main Stand, SGM Stand and the Norrie...
, his injuries returned and he was released two years later having made fewer than forty league appearances. He joined Partick Thistle
Partick Thistle F.C.
Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908...
in June 2006 and played regularly before his release in May 2009.
After three seasons as a player at Thistle, Donnelly was initially released at the end of the 2008–09 season. However, following the departure of John Henry to Burnley, Donnelly rejoined The Jags as a player-coach.
In a similar pattern, Donnelly was then released at the end of the 2009-10 season but later re-signed on a one year contract.
International career
At end of the 1996/97 season Donnelly made his ScotlandScotland 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...
debut, making substitute appearances in the friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
matches against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
and Malta
Malta national football team
The Malta national football team is the national football team of Malta and is controlled by the Malta Football Association. Malta played its first international game in February 1957, and began competing for qualification to major tournaments in 1962. The side's first competitive victory came in...
.
The following season Donnelly also featured regularly for Scotland, playing in a number of friendlies ahead of the 1998 World Cup, although Donnelly failed to make an appearance during the tournament.
Donnelly won ten Scotland caps during his career, and played for Scotland under-21
Scotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
before appearing for the senior side.
Career statistics
Correct as 7 June 2011| Club | |Competition | |Cup | |Other | 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... | 1993-94 | Scottish Premier Division 1993-94 in Scottish football The 1993–94 season was the 97th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season saw several teams relegated from the 1st and 2nd divisions in preparation for the introduction of a 3rd division the following season.-Notable events:... |
12 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994-95 | Scottish Premier Division 1994-95 in Scottish football The 1994–95 season was the 98th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season seen the re-introduction of the Scottish 3rd division, after an absence of 26 years, and also the introduction of three points for a win being awarded instead of just two.-Notable events:*Raith Rovers... |
17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | |||||
| 1995-96 | Scottish Premier Division 1995-96 in Scottish football The 1995–96 season was the 99th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Summary:Rangers won the Premier Division with a record 87 points, finishing four ahead of rivals Celtic. Aberdeen were third with 55 points .... |
35 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 6 | |||||
| 1996-97 | Scottish Premier Division 1996-97 in Scottish football The 1996–97 season was the 100th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season seen a playoff system introduced between the 2nd bottom club in the Premier Division and the 2nd top club in Division One.-Scottish Premier Division:... |
29 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 4 | |||||
| 1997-98 | Scottish Premier Division 1997-98 in Scottish football The 1997–98 season was the 101st season of competitive football in Scotland. Celtic halted Rangers in their bid for a record 10-in-a-row.-Scottish Premier Division:-Top scorers:-Table:-Top scorers:-Table:-Top scorers:-Table:... |
30 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 39 | 12 | |||||
| 1998-99 | Scottish Premier League 1998-99 in Scottish football The 1998–99 season was the 102nd season of Scottish league football.-Summary:The 1998–99 SPL season was one that ended in success for Rangers. Dutchman Dick Advocaat was brought in to replace Walter Smith at Rangers and made major changes, bringing in many players.Rangers were... |
23 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 32 | 6 | |||||
| Total | 146 | 30 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 169 | 33 | ||||||
| Sheffield Wednesday Sheffield Wednesday F.C. Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the... |
1999-00 | FA Premier League | 12 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 1 | ||||
| 2000-01 | Football League First Division 2000-01 in English football The 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... |
3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | |||||
| 2001-02 | Football League First Division 2001-02 in English football The 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... |
23 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 4 | |||||
| 2002-03 | Football League First Division 2002-03 in English football The 2002-03 season was the 123rd season of competitive football in England.-Most Memorable rise:*Wigan Athletic marked their 25th season of Football League membership by winning the Division Two championship and reaching the league's second tier for the very first time.-Most Memorable... |
15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 2 | |||||
| Total | 53 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 62 | 8 | ||||||
| St Johnstone St Johnstone F.C. St. Johnstone F.C. is a professional football club based in Perth, Scotland. Although it is officially recorded as being formed in 1884, the club did not play its first game until February 1885. The club's home since 1989 has been McDiarmid Park.... |
2003-04 | Scottish First Division 2003-04 in Scottish football The 2003–04 season was the 107th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:The 2003–04 Scottish Premier League season was won by Celtic with 98 points, 17 points ahead of closest challengers Rangers. Both Rangers and Celtic therefore gained the two UEFA... |
36 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 43 | 11 | ||||
| Total | 36 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 43 | 11 | ||||||
| Dunfermline Athletic Dunfermline Athletic F.C. Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League.... |
2004-05 | Scottish Premier League 2004-05 in Scottish football The 2004–05 season was the 108th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2004:*6 July 2004 - Nacho Novo from Dundee to Rangers, £450,000*1 July 2004 - Dado Prso from AS Monaco to Rangers, Bosman... |
21 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 3 | ||||
| 2005-06 | Scottish Premier League 2005-06 in Scottish football The 2005–06 season was the 109th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2005:*1 June: Gordon Strachan officially takes charge of Celtic after the resignation of Martin O'Neill... |
13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | |||||
| Total | 39 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 43 | 4 | ||||||
| Partick Thistle Partick Thistle F.C. Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908... |
2006-07 | Scottish First Division 2006-07 in Scottish football The 2006–07 season was the 110th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2006:*9 July: Rangers defender Fernando Ricksen is banned for the club's pre-season trip to South Africa, following an incident on the outbound flight. Manager Paul Le Guen cited "wholly inappropriate and... |
24 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 4 | ||||
| 2007-08 | Scottish First Division 2007-08 in Scottish football The 2007-08 season was the 111th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Gretna were competing in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first ever season in the top-flight, after being promoted as First Division champions the previous season.* Dunfermline Athletic... |
18 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 1 | |||||
| 2008-09 | Scottish First Division 2008-09 in Scottish football The 2008–09 season was the 112th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Hamilton Academical competed in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first season in the top-flight since the 1988–89 season, after being promoted as First Division champions the... |
31 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 38 | 2 | |||||
| 2009-10 | Scottish First Division | 35 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 39 | 10 | |||||
| 2010-11 | Scottish First Division | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 122 | 14 | 11 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 147 | 17 | ||||||
| Career total | 396 | 64 | 23 | 0 | 30 | 4 | 15 | 5 | 464 | 73 | ||||||
Celtic
- Scottish Premier Division: 1
-
- 1997–981997-98 in Scottish footballThe 1997–98 season was the 101st season of competitive football in Scotland. Celtic halted Rangers in their bid for a record 10-in-a-row.-Scottish Premier Division:-Top scorers:-Table:-Top scorers:-Table:-Top scorers:-Table:...
- 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...
: 1
- Scottish Cup
- 1994–951994-95 in Scottish footballThe 1994–95 season was the 98th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season seen the re-introduction of the Scottish 3rd division, after an absence of 26 years, and also the introduction of three points for a win being awarded instead of just two.-Notable events:*Raith Rovers...
- 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...
Runner-up: 1
- Scottish League Cup
- 1994–951994-95 in Scottish footballThe 1994–95 season was the 98th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season seen the re-introduction of the Scottish 3rd division, after an absence of 26 years, and also the introduction of three points for a win being awarded instead of just two.-Notable events:*Raith Rovers...
- 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...
: 1
- Scottish League Cup
- 1997–981997-98 in Scottish footballThe 1997–98 season was the 101st season of competitive football in Scotland. Celtic halted Rangers in their bid for a record 10-in-a-row.-Scottish Premier Division:-Top scorers:-Table:-Top scorers:-Table:-Top scorers:-Table:...
- 1997–98