Simon Ford
Encyclopedia
Simon Gary Ford is an English
-born Jamaica
n professional footballer who plays as a defender
for Football League One
side Chesterfield
.
He has previously played for Charton Athletic
, Grimsby Town
, Redbridge
and Kilmarnock
.
under Alan Curbishley
and was promoted to the clubs first team squad during the 2000-2001 season. However the defender would find his first team chances at The Valley halted and he was released from the London
club in the summer of 2001 having never played a first-team match for the club.
's Grimsby Town
prior to the start of the 2001–2002 season. Ford made his professional debut on 21 August 2001 during a 2–1 victory over local rivals Lincoln City
in the first round of the Football League Cup
, coming on as a 79th-minute substitute for Ben Chapman
. On 22 December 2001, he made his league debut in the club's Division One
0–0 away draw with Preston North End
where he played from the start. Ford would go on to make 16 appearances in all competitions during his first season at Blundell Park
. During the 2002–2003 season Ford was favoured by new manager Paul Groves and took his chance in the first team when injury had sidelined new signing Steve Chettle
earlier on in the season. Ford who regularly partnered Georges Santos
at the back would go on to make 40 appearances that season. Despite Ford's surge into the first team the club were relegated but his consistent performances had drawn some interest from fellow Division One side Wolverhampton Wanderers
; however no transfer ever materialised. During the 2003–2004 season although still very much involved in the first team, Ford fell out of contention within the club to the preferred pairing of Tony Crane
and Mike Edwards
. Despite being a valued player only a year before, Ford's contract was not renewed when it expired in the summer of 2004 and he departed Grimsby in August 2004. He made 84 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 4 goals.
on a non-contract basis before the start of the 2004-2005 season, however manager Ian Atkins
allowed him to leave the club without playing a game only a couple of weeks into his stay.
, Ford signed professional terms for Conference South
side Redbridge
who were placed 3 levels below the last league he played in for Grimsby. Ford played in only 1 match for the club before he was approached by Scottish Premier League
side Kilmarnock
who were naturally given permission by Redbridge to talk to the player.
shortly beforehand. Ford was paid for commercial and marketing work while playing as an amateur. He then signed as a professional for the start of the 2005-2006 season. Ford went on to make 144 league appearances in a six year stay with Killie, where he scored 6 times.
under freedom of contract in June 2010 and is trying to successfully replace the recently departed Kevin Austin
, in defence, who has been released by Chesterfield.
three times.
of former Rangers
and Liverpool
winger Mark Walters
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
-born Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
n professional footballer who plays as a defender
Defender
Defender usually refers to a position in association football .Defender or The Defender may also refer to:-Film and television:* The Defender or The Bodyguard from Beijing, a film starring Jet Li...
for Football League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
.
He has previously played for Charton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
, Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
, Redbridge
Redbridge F.C.
Redbridge F.C. is an English Association football club based in the London Borough of Redbridge. Prior to July 2004 the club was known as Ford United F.C. The new name was chosen to help associate the club more within the local area and attract a larger support.They should not be confused with...
and Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
.
Charlton Athletic
Ford began his career at Charlton AthleticCharlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
under Alan Curbishley
Alan Curbishley
Llewellyn Charles "Alan" Curbishley is an English football manager and former professional player....
and was promoted to the clubs first team squad during the 2000-2001 season. However the defender would find his first team chances at The Valley halted and he was released from the London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
club in the summer of 2001 having never played a first-team match for the club.
Grimsby Town
After leaving Charlton in 2001 he signed for Lennie LawrenceLennie Lawrence
Robin Michael Lawrence, commonly known as Lennie Lawrence, is a British football manager who is assistant manager of Crystal Palace. He has managed a number of English clubs and one Welsh club in a coaching career spanning over 30 years...
's Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
prior to the start of the 2001–2002 season. Ford made his professional debut on 21 August 2001 during a 2–1 victory over local rivals Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
in the first round of the Football League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
, coming on as a 79th-minute substitute for Ben Chapman
Ben Chapman
Ben Chapman may refer to:* Benjamin Chapman , soldier*Sir Benjamin Chapman, 1st Baronet of the Chapman Baronets, MP for Westmeath and Fore* Ben Chapman , American actor...
. On 22 December 2001, he made his league debut in the club's Division One
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
0–0 away draw with Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
where he played from the start. Ford would go on to make 16 appearances in all competitions during his first season at Blundell Park
Blundell Park
Blundell Park is a football ground in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, England and home to Grimsby Town Football Club. The stadium was built in 1898, but only one of the original stands remain. The current capacity of the ground is 9546, though with the introduction of all seating in the late...
. During the 2002–2003 season Ford was favoured by new manager Paul Groves and took his chance in the first team when injury had sidelined new signing Steve Chettle
Steve Chettle
Stephen "Steve" Chettle is an English former footballer who currently works as the U13 team coach at Nottingham Forest. He is best known for his time as a player at Forest...
earlier on in the season. Ford who regularly partnered Georges Santos
Georges Santos
Georges "George" Santos is a former French-born Cape Verde professional footballer who played professionally between 1997 and 2009. He notably played for Tranmere Rovers, West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield United, Grimsby Town, Ipswich Town and Queens Park Rangers...
at the back would go on to make 40 appearances that season. Despite Ford's surge into the first team the club were relegated but his consistent performances had drawn some interest from fellow Division One side Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
; however no transfer ever materialised. During the 2003–2004 season although still very much involved in the first team, Ford fell out of contention within the club to the preferred pairing of Tony Crane
Tony Crane
Anthony Steven "Tony" Crane is a former English footballer. He notably played as a professional for Sheffield Wednesday and Grimsby Town and was active between 1999 and 2009. His original position was in the centre of midfield, but he later became utilised as a defender. During his time with...
and Mike Edwards
Mike Edwards (footballer)
Mike Edwards is an English professional footballer who plays for Football League One side Notts County as a defender.He has previously played in the Football League for Hull City, Colchester United and Grimsby Town.-Hull City:...
. Despite being a valued player only a year before, Ford's contract was not renewed when it expired in the summer of 2004 and he departed Grimsby in August 2004. He made 84 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 4 goals.
Bristol Rovers
Ford quickly joined Bristol RoversBristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
on a non-contract basis before the start of the 2004-2005 season, however manager Ian Atkins
Ian Atkins
Ian Leslie Atkins is a former English professional footballer who became a manager later in his career, and now works as a coach with Sunderland. During a 20-year playing career he had eight clubs, including two spells with Sunderland and Birmingham City and playing more than 200 games with his...
allowed him to leave the club without playing a game only a couple of weeks into his stay.
Redbridge
Shortly after his brief stint in BristolBristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, Ford signed professional terms for Conference South
Conference South
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
side Redbridge
Redbridge F.C.
Redbridge F.C. is an English Association football club based in the London Borough of Redbridge. Prior to July 2004 the club was known as Ford United F.C. The new name was chosen to help associate the club more within the local area and attract a larger support.They should not be confused with...
who were placed 3 levels below the last league he played in for Grimsby. Ford played in only 1 match for the club before he was approached by Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
side Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
who were naturally given permission by Redbridge to talk to the player.
Kilmarnock
He had to initially sign for Kilmarnock as an amateur because he had signed professionally for RedbridgeRedbridge F.C.
Redbridge F.C. is an English Association football club based in the London Borough of Redbridge. Prior to July 2004 the club was known as Ford United F.C. The new name was chosen to help associate the club more within the local area and attract a larger support.They should not be confused with...
shortly beforehand. Ford was paid for commercial and marketing work while playing as an amateur. He then signed as a professional for the start of the 2005-2006 season. Ford went on to make 144 league appearances in a six year stay with Killie, where he scored 6 times.
Chesterfield
Ford signed for ChesterfieldChesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
under freedom of contract in June 2010 and is trying to successfully replace the recently departed Kevin Austin
Kevin Austin
Kevin Levi Austin is an English born Trinidadian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Boston United.-Leyton Orient:...
, in defence, who has been released by Chesterfield.
International career
Ford has represented JamaicaJamaica national football team
The Jamaica national football team is the national team of Jamaica and is controlled by the Jamaica Football Federation. After decades in CONCACAF obscurity, they gained many fans throughout the world after they qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup...
three times.
Personal life
He is the nephewNephew
Nephew is a son of one's sibling or sibling-in-law, and niece is a daughter of one's sibling or a sibling-in-law. Sons and daughters of siblings-in-law are also informally referred to as nephews and nieces respectively, even though there is no blood relation...
of former 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...
and Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
winger Mark Walters
Mark Walters
Mark Everton Walters is a retired professional footballer from Birmingham, England.-Aston Villa:Walters began his career as an apprentice at Aston Villa on leaving school in the summer of 1980, turning the professional a year later - just after Villa's Football League First Division title triumph...
.