Simon Weaver
Encyclopedia
Simon Daniel Weaver is an English footballer and manager who is currently player-manager at Harrogate Town
.
, South Yorkshire
, Weaver plays as a central defender and began his career as an apprentice with Sheffield Wednesday
and made his professional debut during a loan spell with Doncaster Rovers
in February 1997. Released by Wednesday, he moved into the non-league circuit with first Ilkeston Town
and then Nuneaton Borough.
In the summer of 2002, he made a return to the Football League
, signing for Lincoln City
, who were managed by Keith Alexander
, his former boss at Ilkeston. He signed a new one-year contract in July 2004, but lost his place in the Lincoln team at the start of the 2004–05 season and was transfer listed at his request. Following a loan period at Macclesfield Town
, he joined Kidderminster Harriers
, and was one of ten players released at the end of the season after Kidderminster were relegated to the Football Conference
. He signed a 12-month contract with Scarborough
in June 2005, but despite initial optimism, the spell was not successful and with Scarborough in disarray, Simon was in need of a new club for the 2006–07 season.
Weaver signed a short-term contract with York City
at the beginning of the 2006–07 season but having been an unused substitute for the first two games of the season, he was released by York so that he could take up the offer of a 12 month contract at Tamworth
. Although Weaver played in many of Tamworth
s games in the 2006–07 season, he was not offered a new contract following the clubs relegation.
In the summer of 2007, he briefly trialled with Conference National
newcomers Salisbury City
and had discussions with Droylsden
. He was injured playing in a pre-season friendly in Scotland: an injury that required the bones in his foot to be pinned. The injury caused him to miss the first four months of the season but, returning to fitness, he signed for Boston United
on 11 December 2007.
On 29 May 2008, Weaver joined Conference North
newcomers King's Lynn
, after failing to agree a new deal with Boston. He scored three goals in 22 appearances but left King's Lynn in January after failing to get a regular start in recent weeks. He joined Redditch United
, debuting in their 2–1 victory at Hyde United on 31 January 2009. After one further appearance for the club in the away defeat to Fleetwood Town
a fortnight later, Weaver rejoined his former club Ilkeston Town. He made a successful debut for the club, netting twice in a 4–3 Northern Premier League
Challenge Cup victory at Boston United
on 18 February 2009.
Weaver was appointed as the new player-manager of Harrogate Town
on 20 May 2009. His first season in charge did not go well and Harrogate finished bottom of the Blue Square North. Only a repreive, due to Northwich Victoria's demotion due to financial issues, saved Weaver from being relegated during his first season in charge. In Weavers second year, Harrogate Town finished 12th in a season which included a 10 game unbeaten run. In between Weavers second and third year of management, his father, Irving, took over Harrogate Town.
Harrogate Town F.C.
Harrogate Town Football Club is an English semi-professional football club based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The club was founded in 1914 and currently competes in the Conference North division of the Football Conference.-History:...
.
Career
Born in DoncasterDoncaster
Doncaster is a town in South Yorkshire, England, and the principal settlement of the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster. The town is about from Sheffield and is popularly referred to as "Donny"...
, South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire is a metropolitan county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It has a population of 1.29 million. It consists of four metropolitan boroughs: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and City of Sheffield...
, Weaver plays as a central defender and began his career as an apprentice with 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...
and made his professional debut during a loan spell with Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
in February 1997. Released by Wednesday, he moved into the non-league circuit with first Ilkeston Town
Ilkeston Town F.C.
Ilkeston Football Club is an English football club based at the New Manor Ground in Ilkeston, Derbyshire.-History:The club was established in 1894 as Ilkeston Town F.C.....
and then Nuneaton Borough.
In the summer of 2002, he made a return to the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
, signing for Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
, who were managed by Keith Alexander
Keith Alexander (footballer)
Keith Alexander was a Saint Lucian footballer and manager. Born in Nottingham, England, he was the manager of League Two side Macclesfield Town at the time of his death, in a career that included international appearances for Saint Lucia. Alexander played for a whole host of lower league football...
, his former boss at Ilkeston. He signed a new one-year contract in July 2004, but lost his place in the Lincoln team at the start of the 2004–05 season and was transfer listed at his request. Following a loan period at Macclesfield Town
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
, he joined Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
, and was one of ten players released at the end of the season after Kidderminster were relegated to the Football Conference
Football Conference
The 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...
. He signed a 12-month contract with Scarborough
Scarborough F.C.
Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season...
in June 2005, but despite initial optimism, the spell was not successful and with Scarborough in disarray, Simon was in need of a new club for the 2006–07 season.
Weaver signed a short-term contract with York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
at the beginning of the 2006–07 season but having been an unused substitute for the first two games of the season, he was released by York so that he could take up the offer of a 12 month contract at Tamworth
Tamworth F.C.
Tamworth Football Club are an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Nicknamed 'The Lambs', they are currently members of the Conference National, the fifth highest tier in the English league system....
. Although Weaver played in many of Tamworth
Tamworth F.C.
Tamworth Football Club are an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Nicknamed 'The Lambs', they are currently members of the Conference National, the fifth highest tier in the English league system....
s games in the 2006–07 season, he was not offered a new contract following the clubs relegation.
In the summer of 2007, he briefly trialled with Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
newcomers Salisbury City
Salisbury City F.C.
Salisbury City Football Club is an English football club based in Salisbury, Wiltshire currently playing in the Conference South. They were formed in 1947 and play at The Raymond McEnhill Stadium...
and had discussions with Droylsden
Droylsden F.C.
Droylsden F.C. is an English football club based in Droylsden, near Manchester. As of the 2011–12 season, they play in the Conference North.-History:...
. He was injured playing in a pre-season friendly in Scotland: an injury that required the bones in his foot to be pinned. The injury caused him to miss the first four months of the season but, returning to fitness, he signed for Boston United
Boston United F.C.
Boston United Football Club are an association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They currently play in the Conference North. The club is known as 'the Pilgrims' in reference to the Pilgrim Fathers, who fled from Boston to the USA and founded Boston, Massachusetts. The club's...
on 11 December 2007.
On 29 May 2008, Weaver joined Conference North
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
newcomers King's Lynn
King's Lynn F.C.
King's Lynn F.C. was an English football club based in King's Lynn, Norfolk. Established in 1879, they were wound up at the High Court on 25 November 2009 with debts of £77,000 and went out of business in December after a failed appeal...
, after failing to agree a new deal with Boston. He scored three goals in 22 appearances but left King's Lynn in January after failing to get a regular start in recent weeks. He joined Redditch United
Redditch United F.C.
Redditch United F.C. is an English football club based in Redditch, Worcestershire. The club are currently members of the Southern League Premier Division and play at the Valley.-Birmingham Combination:...
, debuting in their 2–1 victory at Hyde United on 31 January 2009. After one further appearance for the club in the away defeat to Fleetwood Town
Fleetwood Town F.C.
Fleetwood Town F.C. is an English football club based in Fleetwood, Lancashire. They currently play in the Conference National having been defeated in the Conference National play-off semi-final by AFC Wimbledon in the 2010–11 season.-History:...
a fortnight later, Weaver rejoined his former club Ilkeston Town. He made a successful debut for the club, netting twice in a 4–3 Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
Challenge Cup victory at Boston United
Boston United F.C.
Boston United Football Club are an association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They currently play in the Conference North. The club is known as 'the Pilgrims' in reference to the Pilgrim Fathers, who fled from Boston to the USA and founded Boston, Massachusetts. The club's...
on 18 February 2009.
Weaver was appointed as the new player-manager of Harrogate Town
Harrogate Town F.C.
Harrogate Town Football Club is an English semi-professional football club based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The club was founded in 1914 and currently competes in the Conference North division of the Football Conference.-History:...
on 20 May 2009. His first season in charge did not go well and Harrogate finished bottom of the Blue Square North. Only a repreive, due to Northwich Victoria's demotion due to financial issues, saved Weaver from being relegated during his first season in charge. In Weavers second year, Harrogate Town finished 12th in a season which included a 10 game unbeaten run. In between Weavers second and third year of management, his father, Irving, took over Harrogate Town.