Michael Simpkins

Michael Simpkins

Personal information
Full name	Michael James Simpkins
Date of birth	28 November 1978 (1978-11-28) (age 32)
Place of birth	Sheffield, England
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Playing position	Left back
Club information
Current club	Retford United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1997	Sheffield Wednesday	0	(0)
1997-2001	Chesterfield	26	(0)
2001-2002	Cardiff City	17	(0)
2002	→Exeter City (loan)	5	(0)
2003	→Cheltenham Town (loan)	2	(0)
2003-2004	Rochdale	27	(0)
2004-2005	Burton Albion	20	(1)
2005	→Alfreton Town (loan)	??	(?)
2005	Leigh RMI	8	(0)
2005-2007	Worksop Town	45	(0)
2006	Buxton	??	(?)
2006	Grantham Town	8	(0)
2007-	Retford United	??	(?)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:11, 16 August 2009 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals).

Michael James Simpkins (born 28 November 1978 in Sheffield, England) is an English footballer, currently playing for Retford United.

A defender by trade, Simpkins was primarily a left back but now plays in the more familiar role of central defender. He began his professional career at Chesterfield after progressing through the youth team. In 2001 he moved on to Cardiff City but failed to make a significant impact on the first team at Ninian Park and had loan spells at Exeter City and Cheltenham Town.

He moved on to Rochdale in 2003 on a two-year contract. He was the regular left back for manager Alan Buckley but failed to endear himself to fans, particularly after trying to arrange a fight on the club car park with one of them while supposedly defending a corner. He was quickly dropped by new manager Steve Parkin and persuaded to leave in the summer of 2004. He dropped into non-league, signing for Conference national side Burton Albion, making 20 appearances in the 2004-2005 season, before moving to league rivals Leigh RMI in March 2005, but he could not prevent Leigh's relegation at the end of the season.

Simpkins then moved closer to his native Sheffield by linking up with Worksop Town ahead of the 2005-2006 season, and spent just over a year with the Tigers, establishing himself as a first-team regular; however, due to his poor disciplinary record, he was released early in the 2006-2007 season after a sending-off against Vauxhall Motors. Simpkins then signed for Buxton, but left the club after a change of heart very soon afterwards and instead joined Grantham Town. He was named captain of the Gingerbreads and his impressive form for the Lincolnshire side earned a transfer bid from Conference North outfit Worcester City, but he declined the offer due to travelling concerns.

Budget cuts at Grantham forced Simpkins' departure in January 2008. He later signed for Retford United. Simpkins stayed with Retford in their successful title-winning side of 2007-2008 and has agreed to stay with the club for the 2008-2009 season.

External links

• Michael Simpkins career stats at Soccerbase

Persondata
Name	Simpkins, Michael
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	28 November 1978
Place of birth	Sheffield, England
Date of death
Place of death