Paul Simpson (footballer)

For other people with the same name, see Paul Simpson.

Paul Simpson

Simpson with Newcastle United in 2015
Personal information
Full name	Paul David Simpson [1]
Date of birth	(1966-07-26) 26 July 1966 (age 58) [1]
Place of birth	Carlisle, England [1]
Height	5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Position(s)	Winger
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1982–1988	Manchester City	121	(18)
1984–1985	→ Finn Harps (loan)	6	(3)
1988–1992	Oxford United	144	(43)
1992–1997	Derby County	186	(48)
1996	→ Sheffield United (loan)	6	(0)
1997–2000	Wolverhampton Wanderers	52	(6)
1998	→ Walsall (loan)	10	(0)
2000–2002	Blackpool	76	(13)
2002–2003	Rochdale	42	(15)
2003–2006	Carlisle United	36	(6)
Total		679	(150)
International career
1983	England U18	2	(0)
1986–1987	England U21	5	(1)
Managerial career
2002–2003	Rochdale
2003–2006	Carlisle United
2006–2007	Preston North End
2008–2010	Shrewsbury Town
2010–2011	Stockport County
2012	Northwich Victoria
2017–2020	England U20
2022–2024	Carlisle United
Medal record Men's football Representing   England (as manager) FIFA U-20 World Cup Winner 2017
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Paul David Simpson (born 26 July 1966) is an English former professional footballer who was most recently manager of EFL League Two side Carlisle United. He has been a coach and manager at several English clubs and was manager of the England team that won the FIFA Under-20s World Cup in South Korea in 2017.

Playing career

Manchester City

At the age of 15, Simpson moved from Carlisle to Manchester in order to begin his playing career as a schoolboy at Manchester City.

He made his senior debut aged 16, on 2 October 1982 in a 3–2 win against Coventry City, making three senior appearance in total in the 1982/83 season. ^[2] 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. ^[3] He scored 3 goals in 9 total appearances at Finn Park.^{[ citation needed ]}

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 as City won promotion from the Second Division.^{[ citation needed ] [4]} He was a regular member of the first team in the 1985–86 season and scored nine First Division goals as City survived their first season back in the top flight, although they were relegated a year later.^{[ citation needed ]}

He won five caps for the England under-21 team during his spell at Maine Road, adding to three caps at under-18 level.^{[ citation needed ]} His U21 debut came on 26 March 1986 as a substitute against Denmark on his home ground.^{[ citation needed ]} He also played in the 1987 Toulon Tournament, during which he scored.^{[ citation needed ]}

Oxford United

He left City, now back in the Second Division, for Oxford United in October 1988 in a £200,000 deal, after making 155 appearances for them in total.^{[ citation needed ]} 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.^{[ citation needed ]}

Derby County

The winger joined Derby in the midst of a promotion challenge but, despite finishing third, they lost in the play-offs to sixth-placed Blackburn Rovers.^{[ citation needed ]} The club had three more successive failed promotion attempts (including losing the 1994 play-off final to rivals Leicester City) before they won automatic promotion in 1995–96.^{[ citation needed ]} He was a first choice player throughout this period, and twice reached double figures in his goal return.^{[ citation needed ]}

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.^{[ citation needed ]} 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.^{[ citation needed ]}

Wolverhampton Wanderers

After failing to feature in the opening months of the Rams' 1997–98 season, he dropped down a division to join Wolverhampton Wanderers initially on a month's loan in October 1997.^{[ citation needed ]} After impressing with 2 goals in 8 starts, he signed a permanent deal for £75,000.^{[ citation needed ]} His first season with the club also saw him almost appear in an FA Cup Final, but they lost to eventual winners Arsenal 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.^{[ citation needed ]} He went on loan to nearby Walsall of the Second Division for four months, but returned to Wolves first team when this loan expired.^{[ citation needed ]} He scored Wolves' final goal of the season in a 3–2 defeat to Bradford City that meant they missed out on the play-offs.^{[ citation needed ]}

Blackpool

After a second successive seventh-place finish in a season that saw Simpson feature only sparingly, he signed for Blackpool on a free transfer in August 2000. ^[5] 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. ^[6] Just before leaving the club he helped them win the 2001–02 Football League Trophy, playing as a substitute in the final. ^[7]

Rochdale

He made nine appearances in the final games of the 2001–02 season for Dale, scoring 6 times.^{[ citation needed ]} This goal rush helped push the club into the play-offs, where they lost to Rushden & Diamonds (despite another goal from Simpson).

Managerial career

Rochdale

After manager John Hollins departed from Rochdale in 2002, Simpson stepped in as player-manager.^{[ citation needed ]} 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.^{[ citation needed ]} Simpson left Rochdale after only season in charge where they reached the FA Cup fifth 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.^{[ citation needed ]}

Carlisle United

Following his departure from Rochdale, Simpson moved back to his home town, where he signed as a player for Carlisle United.^{[ citation needed ]} Four games into the season manager Roddy Collins was sacked with the club bottom of the table. Simpson was asked to take over as manager. ^[8] Carlisle were relegated to the Conference in his first year at Brunton Park, at a time when the club was struggling financially.^{[ citation needed ]} A transfer embargo prevented new players being brought in and by December 2003 Carlisle were 15 points adrift, and despite an improved latter half of the season, the club were eventually relegated.^{[ citation needed ]} However, he immediately led Carlisle back to League Two in 2004–05 as Conference National play-off winners. ^[9] Following this, Simpson enjoyed perhaps his best season as a manager, leading Carlisle to double – promotion, winning promotion to League One as League Two champions. ^[10] 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.^{[ citation needed ]}

Simpson played his final game as a professional player on 6 May 2006 at Edgeley Park against Stockport County, the club he later managed, on a day where the two teams drew 0–0, meaning that Carlisle were promoted as champions. This marked the end of his playing career aged 39, after 24 years.^{[ citation needed ]}

Preston North End

In June 2006, following his success at Carlisle, Simpson left the club to replace Billy Davies 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.^{[ citation needed ]} 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.^{[ citation needed ]} 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.^{[ citation needed ]}

Shrewsbury Town

On 12 March 2008, he was appointed manager of League Two club Shrewsbury Town, replacing Gary Peters who had left the club by mutual consent after a poor run of results. ^[11] 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 Gillingham goal. ^[12] 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.^{[ citation needed ]} He was dismissed as manager on 30 April 2010. ^[13]

Stockport County

Simpson was confirmed as the new manager of Stockport County on 12 July 2010 following a takeover by The 2015 Group. ^[14] He replaced former manager Gary Ablett, who was sacked by the club's new owners after the club spent the entire season in administration – with County gaining just 25 points from 46 games. ^{[15] [16]}

Simpson was charged with the task of staying in the division and rebuilding a squad which has been ravaged by administration, and ensuring the survival of the club in League Two in the coming season. He was instructed to work with Peter Ward as his assistant manager, and former youth team manager Alan Lord was put in charge of Youth Development. ^[17] 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.^{[ citation needed ]} Simpson also employed former coach Stuart Delaney as Youth Team Manager. ^[18]

Simpson was sacked on 4 January 2011 after a run of just three wins in 19 games. ^[19]

Northwich Victoria

Simpson was appointed manager of Northern Premier League Premier Division side Northwich Victoria on 1 February 2012, with Alan Wright as his assistant. ^[20] However, he departed after only a month ^[21] as he had been due to take up a role in Portugal at the end of the season.^{[ citation needed ]} This was, however, brought forward to March, meaning Simpson left following the club's FA Trophy quarter-final match on 25 February.^{[ citation needed ]} His assistant, Alan Wright, oversaw a match with Rushall Olympic during Simpson's absence.^{[ citation needed ]}

Derby County

In October 2013 Simpson joined Steve McClaren, as assistant manager. The team hit the ground running and went on an amazing run of results. In their first season they took the team to the Championship Play off final, losing to a late goal versus QPR. In the second season they again had a great start, in terms of results, and continued to enjoy success. In the December 2014 rumours started to circulate that McClaren was being headhunted by Newcastle United, in the Premier League. Many blamed these rumours on the team's results taking a dive, but there were other mitigating circumstances. The team missed out on the playoffs and McClaren was sacked at the end of the season. Simpson was sacked at the start of July, on the eve of pre season training under the newly appointed head coach, Paul Clement.

Newcastle United

On 3 July 2015, Simpson was appointed as one of Steve McClaren's assistant coaches along with Ian Cathro, after leaving Derby County. ^[22]

England U20

Simpson took charge of the England Under 20 Squad in 2017 and won the U20 World Cup in Suwon, South Korea on 11 June 2017, beating Venezuela by the only goal of the game. ^{[23] [24]} Simpson left his post on 10 August 2020, to become assistant head coach to Dean Holden at Bristol City.

Carlisle United

On 23 February 2022, Simpson returned to former club Carlisle United as manager until the end of the 2021–22 season. In similar circumstances to his first spell with the club, the Cumbrian side found themselves in the League Two relegation zone in 23rd position at the time of his appointment. ^[25] Simpson turned the club's form around and after five wins from seven matches across the month of March, Simpson was nominated for the league's Manager of the Month award, losing out to Bristol Rovers' Joey Barton, a team that Simpson's side had beaten at the end of the month. ^[26] On 27 April 2022, having confirmed Carlisle's League Two status for the following season, Simpson signed a permanent three-year contract with the club. ^[27] In the following season, Simpson led Carlisle to a 5th place finish, qualifying for the play-offs. ^[28] After a win against Bradford City in the semi-final, Carlisle won the 2023 play-off final at Wembley, defeating Stockport County on penalties. ^{[29] [30]} This was the first win for Simpson at Wembley in six attempts. ^[30]

Following a disastrous 2023–24 season that saw Carlisle immediately relegated back to League Two, Simpson was sacked by Carlisle on 31 August 2024 following three defeats in their first four league matches. ^[31]

Personal life

He completed at degree in Sport Science at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Simpson temporarily stepped down from his coaching role at Bristol City in July 2021 while receiving treatment for kidney cancer. ^[32]

Paul's son, Dom Simpson, is a professional actor currently playing the role of Christian in Moulin Rouge at The Piccadilly Theatre, and has previously played Elder Price in the Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre (London's West End). His son Jake Simpson is also a former professional, now head of performance at League One side Carlisle United.

Managerial statistics

As of 31 August 2024

Managerial record by team and tenure

Team	From	To	Record
			P	W	D	L	Win %
Rochdale	1 July 2002	30 June 2003	54	16	17	21	029.6
Carlisle United	29 August 2003	30 June 2006	157	70	36	51	044.6
Preston North End	1 July 2006	13 November 2007	67	27	14	26	040.3
Shrewsbury Town	12 March 2008	30 April 2010	111	39	34	38	035.1
Stockport County	1 July 2010	4 January 2011	27	5	9	13	018.5
Northwich Victoria	2 February 2012	25 February 2012	0	0	0	0	!—
England U20	24 February 2017	9 August 2020	42	24	5	13	057.1
Bristol City (caretaker)	16 February 2021	23 February 2021	2	1	0	1	050.0
Carlisle United	24 February 2022	31 August 2024	126	39	28	59	031.0
Total			586	221	143	222	037.71

Honours

Player

Manchester City

• Second Division promotion: 1984–85 ^[4]

Derby County

• Second Division runner-up: 1995–96
• Anglo Italian Cup runner-up: 1992–93 ^[33]

Blackpool

• Fourth Division play-offs: 2001 ^[34]
• Football League Trophy: 2001–02 ^[35]

Carlisle United

• Football League Two: 2005–06 ^[10]
• Conference National play-offs: 2005 ^[9]

Individual

• PFA Team of the Year: 2000–01 Third Division ^[36]

Manager

Carlisle United

• League Two: 2005–06; ^[10] play-offs: 2023 ^[30]
• Conference National play-offs: 2005 ^[9]
• Football League Trophy runner-up: 2005–06 ^[37]

England U20

• FIFA U-20 World Cup: 2017 ^[38]

Individual

• Football League Two Manager of the Month: December 2005, ^[39] March 2006 ^[39]

References

1. "Paul Simpson". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
2. "Carlisle United's Paul Simpson recalls his Manchester City debut at 16". News and Star. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
3. "Deacy set for League of Ireland Action". The Irish Times . Dublin. 15 August 1984. p. 3. ISSN   0791-5144 . Retrieved 27 November 2021.
4. Chris Bevan (9 May 2003). "Classic matches at Maine Road". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
5. "Simpson signs". BlackpoolFC.co.uk. Blackpool Football Club. 22 August 2000. Archived from the original on 23 August 2000. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
6. "Transfers – March, 2002". BBC. 5 September 2002. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
7. "Seasiders relish return to scene of past success" . The Independent. 25 March 2002. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
8. "Carlisle United sack Roddy Collins". Irish Times. 29 August 2003. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
9. "Stevenage in the Conference play-offs 2005". BBC Beds Herts and Bucks. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
10. "Stockport 0–0 Carlisle". BBC Sport. 6 May 2006. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
11. Staff; agencies (12 March 2008). "Paul Simpson takes the helm at Shrewsbury". The Guardian.
12. "Gillingham 1-0 Shrewsbury". BBC News. 24 May 2009.
13. "Shrewsbury Town sack manager Paul Simpson". BBC Sport. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
14. "Paul Simpson named Stockport County Manager". BBC Sport. 12 July 2010. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
15. "Former Stockport boss Gary Ablett dies". Manchester Evening News. 2 January 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
16. "League One Table & Standings". Sky Sports. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
17. "Simpson named Stockport boss". Manchester Evening News. 14 July 2010. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
18. "Stockport appoint youth team boss". Manchester Evening News. 14 July 2010. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
19. "Stockport sack Simpson". Manchester Evening News. 5 January 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
20. "Paul Simpson named as new manager". Northwich Victoria F.C. 1 February 2012. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
21. "Simpson to quit Northwich for new job".
22. "Newcastle boss Steve McClaren writes to the club's supporters over lack of signings". Sky Sports. 3 July 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
23. "England Under-20 boss Paul Simpson says it is 'too early' for golden generation tag". BBC Sport. 11 June 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
24. "England seal Under-20 World Cup glory as Dominic Calvert-Lewin strikes". The Guardian. 11 June 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
25. "CLUB: New manager takes post". carlisleunited.co.uk. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
26. "Sky Bet Manager of the Month: Paul Simpson nominated". carlisleunited.co.uk. 5 April 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
27. "Simmo's at the Wheel: Deal done". carlisleunited.co.uk. 27 April 2022.
28. "Table & Standings 2022/23". Sky Sports. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
29. "Carlisle United 3–1 Bradford City (3–2 agg)". BBC Sport. 20 May 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
30. "Carlisle United 1–1 Stockport County (5–4 pens)". BBC Sport. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
31. "CLUB STATEMENT - 31 AUGUST 2024". www.carlisleunited.co.uk. 31 August 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
32. "Bristol City coach Paul Simpson to undergo treatment for kidney cancer". BT.com. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
33. "Football Commentary: Cremonese confirm their class amid the crudity". The Independent. 28 March 1993. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
34. "Blackpool 4-2 Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. 26 May 2001. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
35. "Blackpool lift LDV Vans Trophy". BBC Sport. 24 March 2002. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
36. "Teams of the year". BBC Sport. 29 April 2001. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
37. "Carlisle 1–2 Swansea". BBC Sport. 2 April 2006. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
38. "Under-20 World Cup: England beat Venezuela in final". BBC Sport. 11 June 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
39. "League Managers Association: Manager of the Month". LMA. Retrieved 2 October 2022.

External links

• Paul Simpson at Soccerbase
• Paul Simpson management career statistics at Soccerbase