Robbie Simpson

Robbie Simpson (born 15 March 1985 in Poole, Dorset) is an English semi-professional footballer who plays as a forward. Simpson is currently player-manager at National League South club Chelmsford City.

For the Australian rugby league player, see Robbie Simpson (rugby league). For the runner, see Robbie Simpson (runner).

Robbie Simpson
Personal information
Full name Robbie Simpson[1]
Date of birth (1985-03-15) 15 March 1985
Place of birth Poole, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Playing position(s) Forward
Club information
Current team
 Chelmsford City
(player-manager)
Youth career
1995–2002 Norwich City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2006 Cambridge City 118 (33)
2006–2007 Cambridge United 33 (17)
2007–2009 Coventry City 61 (4)
2009–2012 Huddersfield Town 13 (0)
2010–2011 → Brentford (loan) 27 (4)
2011 → Oldham Athletic (loan) 14 (3)
2012 → Oldham Athletic (loan) 2 (0)
2012–2013 Oldham Athletic 50 (5)
2013–2014 Leyton Orient 14 (0)
2014–2016 Cambridge United 67 (12)
2016–2018 Exeter City 37 (3)
2018–2019 Milton Keynes Dons 21 (2)
2019– Chelmsford City 15 (4)
Teams managed
2020– Chelmsford City
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:42, 2 February 2020 (UTC)

His previous clubs include Cambridge City, Cambridge United, Coventry City, Huddersfield Town, Brentford, Oldham Athletic, Leyton Orient, Exeter City and Milton Keynes Dons.

Playing career

Norwich City

Simpson began his footballing career with Norwich City at the age of nine where he spent six years on schoolboy terms. He was signed by Jez George, then head of youth development at Cambridge City, following his release by Norwich.

Cambridge City

Simpson went to Stanborough School in Welwyn Garden City until he was 16. Whilst playing for Cambridge City, Simpson obtained good A-levels, and decided to follow this by studying for a degree in Sports Science and Mathematics at Loughborough University (graduating in 2007) whilst remaining tied to the club though coaching in their 'Youth in the Community' scheme. Robbie won the British Universities Sport Association trophy all three years when he was there playing for the student team, now Loughborough University F.C..[2][3]

Simpson made his first team debut for Cambridge City in October 2002. He made 154 appearances and scored 42 goals over five seasons with the Lilywhites.

When City offered him terms of re-engagement at the end of 2005/06, it was discovered that his original contract had been secretly amended in February 2006 by Jez George. The effect was to allow Simpson and two other players (Josh Simpson and Michael Gash) a free transfer at the end of the season, instead of the usual position where City would have been entitled to a fee under the Bosman ruling requirements for players under the age of 24. The contract amendments were discovered by new Directors (from the Cambridge City Supporters Trust) who had taken over after George and other Directors resigned amidst wider accusations of financial impropriety, which were later to lead to a High Court case.[4] George subsequently moved to Cambridge United and City received no compensation for the three players.

Cambridge United

Simpson signed for Cambridge United in June 2006.[5] Despite an inauspicious start to his United career, hampered by studying full-time in Loughborough and a knee injury, he eventually became a fans' favourite due to his all-action style and goal scoring ability. By the end of the 2006–07 season he had 17 goals from 33 appearances, 15 of which came in the second half of the season.[6] The end of the season saw Simpson win a multitude of club awards, including the Supporters' Player of the Year, Cambridge Evening News Player of the Year and official website goal of the season.[7] Although Cambridge offered Simpson a new contract at the end of the season, this was turned down amid interest from a number of larger clubs.[8]

Coventry City

Simpson joined Coventry City at the start of the 2007–08 season along with a host of other new players for the Sky Blues, and was immediately touted as a future star by manager Iain Dowie.[9]

Simpson scored five minutes into his competitive debut for the club in a League Cup tie against Notts County on 14 August 2007. Ex-Coventry assistant manager Tim Flowers praised the youngster's performance, describing his acquisition from Cambridge as "a bargain" and tipping him to be a success at the club.[10]

Huddersfield Town

On 18 June 2009, after intensive speculation, Simpson joined League One side Huddersfield Town for a fee believed to be around £300,000 on a three-year deal. He made his debut in the 2–2 draw against Southend United at Roots Hall on 8 August 2009. On 1 September 2009, he scored his first goal for the Terriers, the second goal in Town's 2–1 win over Rotherham United in the Football League Trophy.[11] Most of Simpson's first season with the Terriers was disrupted by injury.

Brentford (loan)

Simpson joined Brentford on loan for the entire 2010–11 season on 6 August 2010, making 18 starts, scoring 8 goals.

Oldham Athletic (loan)

After being isolated from the Huddersfield squad at the start of the following season, Simpson joined Oldham Athletic on loan on 10 September 2011. Simpson made his debut for the club coming on as a substitute at the start of the second half against Stevenage.[12] Simpson scored his first goal for the club on his 13th appearance, with a free kick that was fumbled by the Burton Albion goalkeeper in a 3–1 win for the Latics in the first round of the FA Cup.[13] Simpson scored a hat-trick the following game in a League One game against Chesterfield in a 5–2 win for the Latics.[14]

His loan ended on 12 December 2011, but Huddersfield allowed him to stay there in a training capacity and he later signed on loan until the end of the season with a view to a permanent move. He signed just in time to play against Chesterfield in a 1–1 draw, Matt Smith scoring the equaliser.[15] Simpson's permanent move was pretty much completed in the same week, Simpson himself stating that he is close to completing the move on Twitter, as well as Paul Dickov and Lee Clark both stating that the permanent deal was near completion.[15] On 6 January 2012, Simpson scored a spectacular volleyed strike from 25 yards against Premier League Liverpool in an FA Cup 3rd Round encounter. The lead lasted just 67 seconds before Jonjo Shelvey's shot deflected off of Craig Bellamy and into the net. Liverpool went on to win the game 5–1.

Oldham Athletic

On 30 January 2012, Simpson joined the club on a permanent deal until the end of the season.[16] At the end of the 2012–13 season, Simpson was released by the club along with 4 other players.[17]

Leyton Orient

On 11 November 2013, Simpson joined League One club Leyton Orient on a two-month deal.[18] His contract was extended to the end of the season, but he was unable to score during his time at the club. At the end of the season, after appearing on the bench for the 2014 Football League One play-off Final, he was released by Orient along with four other players.[19]

Cambridge United

On 9 June 2014, Simpson re-joined newly promoted League Two side Cambridge United on a two-year deal.[20] Simpson left Cambridge United by mutual consent at the end of the 2015–16 season.[21]

Exeter City

On 25 May 2016 Simpson signed with League Two club Exeter City.[22] He was released by Exeter at the end of the 2017–18 season.[23]

Milton Keynes Dons

On 9 July 2018, Simpson signed a short-term deal to join newly-relegated League Two club Milton Keynes Dons.[24] He scored his first goal for the club within a minute of coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1–1 home league fixture against Grimsby Town on 21 August 2018.[25] On 22 November 2018 manager Paul Tisdale revealed Simpson's contract with the club had been extended until the end of the season.[26] Simpson was later one of ten players released by the club at the end of the 2018–19 season.[27]

Chelmsford City

On 15 August 2019, Simpson signed for National League South club Chelmsford City.[28] On 30 January 2020, Simpson was confirmed as interim manager of Chelmsford following the sacking of Rod Stringer.[29] On 11 March 2020, Simpson was appointed manager of Chelmsford City on a permanent basis.[30]

Career statistics
As of match played 21 December 2019
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season Division League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Cambridge City 2001–02[31] Southern League Premier Division 0000—1[lower-alpha 1]010
2002–03[32] Southern League Premier Division 22800—4[lower-alpha 2]1269
2003–04[33] Southern League Premier Division 35631—8[lower-alpha 3]1468
2004–05[34] Conference South 22851—7[lower-alpha 4]43413
2005–06[35] Conference South 391140—4[lower-alpha 1]14712
Total 11833122—24715442
Cambridge United 2006–07[36] Conference National 331710—1[lower-alpha 1]03517
Coventry City 2007–08[37] Championship 2812041—342
2008–09[38] Championship 3332022—375
Total 6144063—717
Huddersfield Town 2009–10[39] League One 13000201[lower-alpha 5]1161
2010–11[40] League One 00———00
2011–12[41] League One 00—00—00
Total 130002011161
Brentford (loan) 2010–11[40] League One 27420324[lower-alpha 5]2368
Oldham Athletic 2011–12[41] League One 29632—4[lower-alpha 5]1369
2012–13[42] League One 37252101[lower-alpha 5]0444
Total 6688410518013
Leyton Orient 2013–14[43] League One 14010001[lower-alpha 5]0160
Cambridge United 2014–15[44] League Two 35841101[lower-alpha 5]0419
2015–16[45] League Two 32420101[lower-alpha 5]0364
Total 67126120207713
Exeter City 2016–17[46] League Two 26110101[lower-alpha 5]0291
2017–18[47] League Two 11200002[lower-alpha 6]0132
Total 373101030423
Milton Keynes Dons 2018–19[48] League Two 21210002[lower-alpha 5]0242
Chelmsford City 2019–20[49] National League South 11300—1[lower-alpha 1]0123
Career total 468863671554411563109
  1. Appearances in FA Trophy
  2. 2 appearances in Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup, 1 appearance and 1 goal in Southern League Cup, 1 appearance in FA Trophy
  3. 5 appearances and 1 goal in Southern League Cup, 2 appearances in FA Trophy, 1 appearance in Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup
  4. 5 appearances and 3 goals in FA Trophy, 1 appearance and 1 goal in Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup, 1 appearance in Conference South play-offs
  5. Appearances in EFL Trophy
  6. Appearances in League Two play-offs

Honours

Milton Keynes Dons

gollark: How goes BISMUTH?
gollark: Fits with BISMUTH.
gollark: Seems good.
gollark: In that they both use metaclasses.
gollark: It reminds me of a parsing library I used which used metaclasses to allow recursive definitions more easily.

References
  1. "List of Temporary Transfers of Players under Written Contract Between 01/09/2011 and 30/09/2011" (PDF). The Football Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 April 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  2. In Focus – Robbie Simpson cambridge-united.co.uk. Retrieved 16 August 2007
  3. "Football » Robbie Simpson (2000–2003)". loughboroughsport.com. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  4. "Cambridge". Cambridge News. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  5. "Cambridge City trio join United". BBC Sport. 2 June 2006. Retrieved 16 August 2007.
  6. Cambridge United fixtures: 2006–07 cambridge-united.co.uk. Retrieved 16 August 2007
  7. Cambridge United v. Tamworth Match Report | 28/04/2006 cambridge-united.co.uk. Retrieved 16 August 2007
  8. "Cambridge offer Simpson new deal". BBC Sport. 13 May 2004. Retrieved 16 August 2007.
  9. "Simpson 'can be a City star'". IC Coventry. 12 July 2007. Retrieved 16 August 2007.
  10. "Strike It Rich". ccfc.co.uk. 14 August 2007. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2007.
  11. "Rotherham 1–2 Huddersfield". BBC Sport. 1 September 2009. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
  12. Archived 18 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  13. "Oldham Athletic – News – News Update – News Update – LUCKY THIRTEEN". oldhamathletic.co.uk. Archived from the original on 16 December 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  14. "Oldham Athletic – Match – Report – 19 November 2011, Oldham 5 – 2 Chesterfield". oldhamathletic.co.uk. Archived from the original on 22 December 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  15. "Oldham Athletic – News – News Update – News Update – MONEY CAN'T BUY HAPPINESS – SIMPSON". oldhamathletic.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 January 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  16. "Oldham Athletic – News – News Update – News Update – SIMPSON SIGNS". oldhamathletic.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  17. "Latics' retained list". oldhamathletic.co.uk. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  18. "Robbie Simpson: Leyton Orient sign ex-Oldham forward". BBC Sport. 11 November 2013.
  19. "Jamie Jones: Leyton Orient offer goalkeeper new contract". BBC Sport. 30 May 2014.
  20. "Robbie Simpson signs two year deal".
  21. "Cambridge United announce retain/release list". Cambridge United FC. 9 May 2016.
  22. "Exeter City sign Lloyd James and Robbie Simpson". BBC Sport. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  23. "Troy Archibald-Henville: Exeter City defender among seven released by club". BBC Sport. 5 June 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  24. "Simpson joins MK Dons on a short-term deal". Milton Keynes Dons. 9 July 2018. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  25. "Milton Keynes Dons 1–1 Grimsby Town". BBC Sport. 21 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  26. "Simpson to stay for the season". Milton Keynes Dons. 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  27. "MK Dons retained list". Milton Keynes Dons. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  28. "Chelmsford Sign Simpson". Chelmsford City F.C. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  29. "First Team Update". Chelmsford City F.C. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  30. "Robbie Simpson named Chelmsford City manager". Chelmsford City F.C. 1 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  31. "Appearances & Goalscorers 2001–02". Cambridge City Football Club. 13 June 2016.
  32. "Appearances & Goalscorers 2002–03". Cambridge City Football Club. 13 June 2016.
  33. "Appearances & Goalscorers 2003–04". Cambridge City Football Club. 13 June 2016.
  34. "Appearances & Goalscorers 2004–05". Cambridge City Football Club. 13 June 2016.
  35. "Appearances & Goalscorers 2005–06". Cambridge City Football Club. 13 June 2016.
  36. "Games played by Robbie Simpson in 2006/2007". Rebel Football. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  37. "Games played by Robbie Simpson in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  38. "Games played by Robbie Simpson in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  39. "Games played by Robbie Simpson in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  40. "Games played by Robbie Simpson in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  41. "Games played by Robbie Simpson in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  42. "Games played by Robbie Simpson in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  43. "Games played by Robbie Simpson in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  44. "Games played by Robbie Simpson in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  45. "Games played by Robbie Simpson in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  46. "Games played by Robbie Simpson in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
  47. "Games played by Robbie Simpson in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
  48. "Games played by Robbie Simpson in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
  49. Robbie Simpson at Soccerway. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  50. "League Two: 2018/19: Current table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
    "MK Dons: Squad details: 2018/19". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
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