Neil Simpson
Encyclopedia
Neil Alexander Simpson is a former Scottish
international footballer known for his time with Aberdeen F.C.
.
Simpson, nicknamed "Simmie", was born in London to Scottish parents who soon moved back to Newmachar
in their native Aberdeenshire
, where he was brought up. Joining Aberdeen from local junior side Middlefield Wasps, he made 310 appearances in all competitions (27 as substitute) and scored 31 goals.
A reliable ball-winner, he won his first major honour in the 1982 Scottish Cup
.
Between 1982 and 1986, Simpson’s Pittodrie career gained him a list of domestic winners medals that included 2 Premier Division
Championships, 3 Scottish Cup
s and 1 Scottish League Cup
.
Ipswich Town and FC Argeş Piteşti
of Romania
.
In 1982–83, he played in every one of the matches of the Dons’ 1983 European Cup Winners Cup
campaign, scoring a goal in the 3–2 victory over FC Bayern Munich
in the second leg of the quarter-finals and becoming one of the “Gothenburg Greats” who lifted the trophy after beating Real Madrid
in the 1983 Final
.
The following season, Simpson was in the team that reached the semi-finals of the 1984 European Cup Winners Cup
and he scored a goal when Aberdeen won the 1983 UEFA Super Cup
. In 1985–86, he helped the team to the quarter-finals of the 1986 European Champions Cup
.
Simpson was also involved in the tackle that resulted in injuring Ian Durrant
of Rangers
during the 1988–89 season. This further increased the hostility between supporters of both clubs, which exists to this day. In 1993, Simpson and Durrant settled out of court for an undisclosed sum after Durrant sued for damages.
Simpson's own injury problems continued, restricting him to nine league appearances 1989–90 and a move to Newcastle United saw him play a mere four times. He went to Motherwell
for 1991–92 where he spent two seasons before leaving for Highland Football League
side Cove Rangers, where he ended his playing career in October 1993. He then became an SFA
Community Development Officer in Moray
, before returning to Aberdeen in 2001.
, Simpson made his full Scotland
debut in the penultimate British Home Championship
against Northern Ireland at Hampden, which ended in a goalless draw. In the 1983–84 season he appeared in two friendlies, beating Uruguay 2–0 and losing 2–0 to France. His last two matches for Scotland were against England in the Rous Cup
, drawing 0–0 at Hampden in 1987 and losing 1–0 at Wembley the next year.
, Peter Pawlett
and Michael Paton
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
international footballer known for his time with Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
.
Simpson, nicknamed "Simmie", was born in London to Scottish parents who soon moved back to Newmachar
Newmachar
Newmachar is a village in the north-east of Scotland located within the Aberdeenshire local authority. Situated 10 miles to the north-west of Aberdeen, the settlement has an estimated population of 2,400.-Overview:...
in their native Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area.The present day Aberdeenshire council area does not include the City of Aberdeen, now a separate council area, from which its name derives. Together, the modern council area and the city formed historic...
, where he was brought up. Joining Aberdeen from local junior side Middlefield Wasps, he made 310 appearances in all competitions (27 as substitute) and scored 31 goals.
Aberdeen
After breaking into the first team at the end of 1980, Simpson finished the season as a first-team regular. Until recurring injuries curtailed his appearances from the spring of 1986, he was a key player for the Dons.A reliable ball-winner, he won his first major honour in the 1982 Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup 1981-82
The 1981–82 Scottish Cup was the 97th staging of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. The Cup was won by Aberdeen who defeated Rangers in the final.-First round:-Replays:-Second round:-Replays:-Second Replay:...
.
Between 1982 and 1986, Simpson’s Pittodrie career gained him a list of domestic winners medals that included 2 Premier Division
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
Championships, 3 Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
s and 1 Scottish League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
.
Europe
Simpson played in the 1981–82 UEFA Cup campaign which saw the Dons make their first-ever run of success in Europe by progressing to the Third Round at the expense of Bobby Robson’sBobby Robson
Sir Robert William "Bobby" Robson, CBE was an English footballer and manager, who coached seven European clubs and the England national team during his career....
Ipswich Town and FC Argeş Piteşti
FC Arges Pitesti
FC Argeş Piteşti is a Romanian professional football club from Piteşti, Argeş county.FC Argeş was one of the most successful Romanian clubs in the 1970s, when it won the national championship twice: in 1972 and 1979, and finished twice as runner-up...
of Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
.
In 1982–83, he played in every one of the matches of the Dons’ 1983 European Cup Winners Cup
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1982-83
The season 1982-83 of the European Cup Winners' Cup was won by Aberdeen FC in an extra-time victory against Real Madrid. It was the second and last time the title went to Scotland, following Rangers' victory in 1972.-Preliminary round:-First round:...
campaign, scoring a goal in the 3–2 victory over FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich , is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team, which is the most successful football club in Germany, having won 22 national titles and 15 cups....
in the second leg of the quarter-finals and becoming one of the “Gothenburg Greats” who lifted the trophy after beating Real Madrid
Real Madrid
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
in the 1983 Final
1983 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final
The 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup Final was a football match contested between Aberdeen of Scotland and Real Madrid of Spain. It was the final match of the European Cup Winners' Cup 1982–83 tournament and the 23rd European Cup Winners' Cup final. The final was held at Nya Ullevi in Gothenburg,...
.
The following season, Simpson was in the team that reached the semi-finals of the 1984 European Cup Winners Cup
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1983-84
The season 1983-84 of the European Cup Winners' Cup was won by Juventus F.C. in a final against FC Porto. The next year, the club went on to complete a full complement of European trophies with the European Cup.-Preliminary round:-First round:-First leg:...
and he scored a goal when Aberdeen won the 1983 UEFA Super Cup
1983 UEFA Super Cup
The 1983 UEFA Super Cup was a two-legged match contested between the European Cup champions Hamburger SV, and the European Cup Winners' Cup champions Aberdeen.The match was tied at 0–0 in the first leg at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg...
. In 1985–86, he helped the team to the quarter-finals of the 1986 European Champions Cup
European Cup 1985-86
The 1985–86 European Cup was the 31st season of UEFA's premier club football tournament, the European Cup. The European Champion Clubs' Cup was won by Steaua Bucharest on penalties in a final against Barcelona...
.
Later career
In March 1986, Simpson suffered an injury which kept him out for the rest of the season. On 9 August 1986, four minutes into the new season, he incurred an ankle injury that restricted him to only eight league appearances in the spring of 1987. He was never to fully recover. He made only 15 league appearances in 1987–88 and 16 in 1988–89.Simpson was also involved in the tackle that resulted in injuring Ian Durrant
Ian Durrant
Ian Durrant is a former Scottish professional footballer who played for Rangers, Kilmarnock and the Scotland national team...
of Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
during the 1988–89 season. This further increased the hostility between supporters of both clubs, which exists to this day. In 1993, Simpson and Durrant settled out of court for an undisclosed sum after Durrant sued for damages.
Simpson's own injury problems continued, restricting him to nine league appearances 1989–90 and a move to Newcastle United saw him play a mere four times. He went to Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
for 1991–92 where he spent two seasons before leaving for Highland Football League
Highland Football League
The Press & Journal Highland Football League is a league of football clubs operating not just in the Scottish Highlands, as the name may suggest, but also in the north-east lowlands...
side Cove Rangers, where he ended his playing career in October 1993. He then became an SFA
Scottish Football Association
The Scottish Football Association is the governing body of football in Scotland and has the ultimate responsibility for the control and development of football in Scotland. Members of the SFA include clubs in Scotland, affiliated national associations as well as local associations...
Community Development Officer in Moray
Moray
Moray is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland. It lies in the north-east of the country, with coastline on the Moray Firth, and borders the council areas of Aberdeenshire and Highland.- History :...
, before returning to Aberdeen in 2001.
International career
Having played in the Scotland Under-17 and Under-18 sides and captained the Under-21 teamScotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
, Simpson made his full Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
debut in the penultimate British Home Championship
British Home Championship
The British Home Championship was an annual football competition contested between the United Kingdom's four national teams, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from the 1883–84 season until the 1983–84...
against Northern Ireland at Hampden, which ended in a goalless draw. In the 1983–84 season he appeared in two friendlies, beating Uruguay 2–0 and losing 2–0 to France. His last two matches for Scotland were against England in the Rous Cup
Rous Cup
The Rous Cup was a short-lived football competition in the second half of the 1980s, contested between England, Scotland and, in later years, a guest team from South America.-Overview:...
, drawing 0–0 at Hampden in 1987 and losing 1–0 at Wembley the next year.
Present
Simpson is back with the Dons in a youth-coaching capacity, helping to produce Aberdeen's new breed of talent. So far his work has nurtured talents such as Fraser FyvieFraser Fyvie
Fraser Fyvie is a Scottish professional footballer currently playing for Scottish Premier League club Aberdeen.-Early life:...
, Peter Pawlett
Peter Pawlett
Peter Ian Pawlett , is a professional footballer currently playing for Scottish Premier League club Aberdeen.-Club career:...
and Michael Paton
Michael Paton
Michael Paton is a professional footballer currently playing for Conference National side Stockport County on loan from Scottish Premier League club Aberdeen.-Club career:...