Robbie Simpson

Infobox Football biography
playername = Robbie Simpson


fullname = Robbie Simpson
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1985|03|15
cityofbirth = Cambridge
countryofbirth = England
height =
currentclub = Coventry City
clubnumber = 24
position = Striker
youthyears = 1995–2002
youthclubs = Norwich City
years = 2002–2006
2006–2007
2007–
clubs = Cambridge City
Cambridge United
Coventry City
caps(goals) = 77 (40)
32 (17)
32 0(1)
pcupdate = 00:00, 21 September 2008 (UTC)

Robbie Simpson (born March 15, 1985 in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire) is an English professional football player currently playing for Coventry City as a striker.

Biography

Early life

Simpson began his footballing career with Norwich City at the age of nine where he spent six years on schoolboy terms. When he was released by Norwich he was signed by Jez George, then head of youth development and Cambridge City, and he made his first team debut shortly after at the age of 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. [http://www.cambridge-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/FeaturedPlayer/0,,10423~929029,00.html In Focus - Robbie Simpson] cambridge-united.co.uk. Retrieved 16 August 2007]

Cambridge City

Simpson made his first team debut for Cambridge City in October 2002. He was at City for four seasons, scoring 42 goals in 113 appearances. 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. [http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/city/2007/07/24/79ab1f59-b55d-415a-8d3f-9c8294e2f380.lpf] . 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. [cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cambridge_utd/5040780.stm | title=Cambridge City trio join United | publisher=BBC Sport | date=2006-06-02 | accessdate=2007-08-16] 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 goalscoring 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. [ [http://www.cambridge-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10423~2006,00.html Cambridge United fixtures: 2006–07] cambridge-united.co.uk. Retrieved 16 August 2007] 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. [ [http://www.cambridge-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10423~36040,00.html Cambridge United v. Tamworth Match Report | 28/04/2006] cambridge-united.co.uk. Retrieved 16 August 2007] 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. [cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cambridge_utd/6609199.stm | title=Cambridge offer Simpson new deal | publisher=BBC Sport | date=2004-05-13 | accessdate=2007-08-16]

Coventry City

Simpson joined the 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. [cite news | url=http://iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk/0300coventrycity/0100news/tm_headline=simpson-can-be-a-city-star%26method=full%26objectid=19445198%26siteid=50003-name_page.html | title=Simpson 'can be a City star' | publisher=IC Coventry | date=2007-07-12 | accessdate=2007-08-16]

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. [cite news | url=http://www.ccfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10269~1092015,00.html | title=Strike It Rich| publisher=ccfc.co.uk | date=2007-08-14 | accessdate=2007-08-16]

References

External links

* [http://www.ccfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10269~32360,00.html Profile] at [http://www.ccfc.premiumtv.co.uk Coventry City Official Website]
* [http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10423~32360,00.html Profile] at [http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk Cambridge United Official Website]
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