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Steve Simonsen

{{short description|English footballer}}

{{Use British English|date=June 2013}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Steve Simonsen

| image =

| caption =

| full_name = Steven Preben Arthur Simonsen{{cite book | last = Hugman | first = Barry J. | title = The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005 | publisher = Queen Anne Press| year = 2005 | page = 562

| isbn = 1-85291-665-6 }}

| height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|4|3|df=y}}

| birth_place = South Shields, England

| position = Goalkeeper

| youthyears1 = 1994–1996 | youthclubs1 = Nottingham Forest

| years1 = 1996–1998 |clubs1 = Tranmere Rovers |caps1 = 35 |goals1 = 0

| years2 = 1998–2004 |clubs2 = Everton |caps2 = 30 |goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2004–2010 |clubs3 = Stoke City |caps3 = 166 |goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2010 |clubs4 = → Sheffield United (loan) |caps4 = 7 |goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2010–2012 |clubs5 = Sheffield United |caps5 = 89 |goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2012–2013 |clubs6 = Preston North End |caps6 = 10 |goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2013 |clubs7 = Dundee |caps7 = 8 |goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2013–2015 |clubs8 = Rangers |caps8 = 20 |goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2015–2016 |clubs9 = Pune City |caps9 = 10 |goals9 = 0

| totalcaps = 375 | totalgoals = 0

| nationalyears1 = 1999| nationalteam1 = England U21 | nationalcaps1 = 4 | nationalgoals1 = 0

}}

Steven Preben Arthur Simonsen (born 3 April 1979) is an English former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He started his senior career at Tranmere Rovers before spells with Everton, Stoke City and Sheffield United, Preston North End and Scottish sides Dundee and Rangers. Whilst at Tranmere, he received four caps for the England U21s.

Club career

=Early career=

Born in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, Simonsen grew up a supporter of Sunderland but was spotted by Nottingham Forest at the age of 15 whilst playing in his native South Shields. After a spell in Nottinghamshire, however, he was released in the summer of 1996.{{cite news|title=The forgotten man cannot wait to jog Arsenal's memory|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/jan/08/sport.comment3|accessdate=18 April 2011|work=The Guardian|date=8 January 2005}}

=Tranmere Rovers=

After being released by Nottingham Forest, Simonsen started his career at Tranmere Rovers in August 1996 as a trainee. By November 1996, he had already made his league debut for the club against one of the clubs he would later sign for, Stoke City. After just 42 league and cup appearances for the first team, he was bought by Everton. Both clubs were under the control of Peter Johnson at the time. It was reported by various media bodies that the transfer fee was worth £3.3 million, a record fee for a goalkeeper. However Tramere Rovers' officially sanctioned Complete Record book states that this a myth and that the deal "was based on staged payments depending upon appearances, Everton's future success and international caps, none of which came" and that "Rovers never saw anymore than the initial £1m down payment."{{cite book|last=Upton|first=Gilbert|title=Tranmere Rovers : the complete record.|year=2009|publisher=Breedon|location=Derby|isbn=978-1859837115|last2=Wilson|first2= Steve|last3= Bishop|first3= Peter|page=190}}

=Everton=

Simonsen struggled to make it into the Everton first team on a regular basis, only making the starting line-up 35 times with another two substitute appearances, in his five seasons at Goodison Park. His Everton debut did not come until the 1999–2000 season, a League Cup tie against Oxford United. In July 2001, Simonsen was also rumoured to be involved in a transfer to Wigan Athletic, but the deal fell through.{{cite news|title=Simonsen set for Wigan switch |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/1467328.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 July 2001|accessdate=3 August 2007}}{{cite news|title=LATICS CONFIRM SIMONSEN INTEREST|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11671/2214652/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=31 July 2001|accessdate=5 June 2013}} In December 2001, Simonsen even considered making a move to a Danish club.{{cite news|title=SIMONSEN CONSIDERS DANISH MOVE|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11671/2224345/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=4 December 2001|accessdate=5 June 2013}}

Simonsen did not get a chance to prove himself again until the 2001–02 season, when he made 25 league starts for Everton and finally became a regular first team player. Following the appointment of new manager David Moyes, however, Simonsen rarely got a chance to play for Everton again, making only three league starts during his last two seasons. Simonsen later rejected a one-year contract extension{{cite news|title=Simonsen confirms Toffees decision|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11671/2291591/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=20 February 2004|accessdate=5 June 2013}} and was thus released by the club in May 2004. After his release, Simonsen was linked with the recent-relegated side Leeds United.{{cite news|title=Leeds trail Simonsen|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11671/2299504/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=19 May 2004|accessdate=5 June 2013}}

=Stoke City=

Simonsen signed for Stoke City in July 2004 on a free transfer{{cite news|title=Simonsen seals Potters switch|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11671/2304595/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=7 July 2004|accessdate=5 June 2013}} and was the club's first choice goalkeeper until 2008, making more than 150 league appearances for the Potters. Simonsen was named as Stoke City players' player of the season for the 2004–05 season and was rewarded with a new three-year contract until July 2008.{{cite news|title=Simonsen signs new Stoke contract|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/4688819.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 July 2005|accessdate=5 June 2013}} During the 2006–07 season, Simonsen became the record holder for most consecutive clean sheets at Stoke City – seven – a feat he also achieved at Tranmere.{{cite web|last=Stevenson|first=Jonathan|title=Simonsen targets promised land|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/6362879.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=6 June 2013|date=15 February 2007}} The clean sheets consisted of four home matches and three away matches.

In July 2007, Simonsen signed a new contract with Stoke keeping him at the club until June 2010.{{cite news|title=Simonsen pens new Stoke contract|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/6924496.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 July 2007|accessdate=31 July 2007}} On the first day of the following season he saved a Steven MacLean penalty in a 1–0 win over Cardiff City.{{cite web

|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6931081.stm

|title=Cardiff 0–1 Stoke

|publisher=BBC

|date=11 August 2007 |accessdate=30 August 2016}} He went on to play an important part in Stoke's promotion to the Premier League, although he lost his place in the side towards the end of the campaign, when Carlo Nash was brought in on an emergency loan from Wigan Athletic.{{cite news|title=Simonsen vows to fight for place|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/7301629.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 March 2008|accessdate=5 June 2013}} Thomas Sørensen was then signed at the start of the 2008–09 season, so Simonsen played second fiddle to the Danish international throughout the year. He played only when Sørensen was injured, which amounted to just five appearances. The 2009–10 season started in the same manner for Simonsen until an injury to Sørensen at home to Chelsea meant that Simonsen made his first appearance of the season.

With their first choice keeper Paddy Kenny suspended and previous loanee goalkeeper Mark Bunn being recalled to Blackburn Rovers, Simonsen signed a one-month loan deal with Sheffield United in March 2010.{{cite web|url=http://origin-www.sufc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10418~1999060,00.html|title=Simonsen brought in|publisher=Sheffield United FC Official Web Site|access-date=19 March 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085524/http://origin-www.sufc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10418~1999060,00.html|archive-date=4 March 2016}} He made his début the following day against Doncaster Rovers, conceding an early goal in a match that finished 1–1.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8572386.stm|title=Doncaster 1–1 Sheff Utd |accessdate=20 March 2010|publisher=BBC Sport | date=20 March 2010}} Simonsen made seven starts for the Blades before returning to Stoke at the end of his loan period.

With his contract expiring, Simonsen left Stoke in July of that year on a free transfer after spending six years at City and making almost 200 appearances in total.{{cite web|url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2082518,00.html|title=Simonsen Departs on Free Transfer|publisher=Stoke City F.C.|access-date=10 July 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100705123233/http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10310~2082518%2C00.html|archive-date=5 July 2010}}

=Sheffield United=

Released from his contract at Stoke, Simonsen returned to Bramall Lane and signed a two-year contract with Sheffield United in July 2010.{{cite news| title = Blackie gets his No. 1| url = http://origin-www.sufc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10418~2083459,00.html| publisher = Sheffield United F.C. official Web Site| date = 2 July 2010| access-date = 3 July 2010| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131113085351/http://origin-www.sufc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10418~2083459,00.html| archive-date = 13 November 2013}} He was virtually ever present in his first full season at the club but the team suffered a torrid time as they went through four managers and were eventually relegated to League One. Simonsen remained first choice keeper for the Blades for much of the following season as an improved side contested an immediate promotion back to the Championship although ultimately finished in third place, going on to lose in the play-off final on penalties to Huddersfield Town with Simonsen missing the decisive kick.{{cite web|title=Danny Wilson stands by Steve Simonsen|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18223930|publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 May 2012|accessdate=27 May 2012}} After missing the penalty, Simonsen told BBC Radio Sheffield missing the penalty was his lowest part of his career and described this as "horrendous", in addition he mentioned it a million times in his head that he couldn't watch the moment.{{cite news|title=Sheffield United keeper Steve Simonsen laments penalty miss|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18234917|publisher=BBC Sport|date=28 May 2012|accessdate=5 June 2013}}

With the club needing to cut the wage bill, Simonsen was released a few days later when his contract expired.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18251999|title=Sheffield United release goalkeeper Steve Simonsen|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 May 2012|accessdate=29 May 2012}} Simonsen previously stated he wanted a new contract to stay at the club.{{cite news|title=Sheffield United keeper Steve Simonsen wants new deal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17610105|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 April 2012|accessdate=5 June 2013}}

=Preston North End=

In August 2012, Simonsen signed a one-year contract with Preston North End.{{cite web|title=Simonsen Signs One Year Deal|url=http://www.pnefc.net/news/article/simonsen-signs-one-year-deal-316636.aspx|publisher=Preston North End F.C.|accessdate=16 August 2012|date=16 August 2012}} Simonsen made his debut for the club, replacing first-choice goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann, on 18 September 2012, where Simonsen kept a clean sheet, as Preston defeated Hartlepool United 5–0.{{cite news|title=Preston 5–0 Hartlepool|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19554019|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 September 2012|accessdate=5 June 2013}} Manager Graham Westley praised Simonsen on his debut.{{cite news|title=Preston: Steve Simonsen praised by boss Graham Westley|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19652399|publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 September 2012|accessdate=5 June 2013}} After making 17 appearances, Simonsen sustained an injury against Coventry City the following January ruling him out of action for several months,{{cite news|title=Preston keeper Steve Simonsen set for prolonged injury absence|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20985552|accessdate=21 January 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 January 2013}} after which he was released from his Preston contract.{{cite web|title=Steve Simonsen: Preston North End terminate goalkeeper's deal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21143428|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=22 January 2013|date=22 January 2013}}

=Dundee=

In March 2013, Simonsen signed a short-term contract with Scottish Premier League club Dundee until the end of the season.{{cite web|title=New Signing|url=http://dundeefc.co.uk/news_detail_iframe.asp?h=NEW-SIGNING&newsid=2934|publisher=Dundee Football Club|accessdate=14 March 2013|date=14 March 2013}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} His move caused a rift between first choice goalkeeper Robert Douglas and Manager John Brown.{{cite news|title=Dundee derby: John Brown says injury forced him to drop 'legend' Rab Douglas|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/sport/football/dundee-fc/dundee-derby-john-brown-says-injury-forced-him-to-drop-legend-rab-douglas-1.76930|work=The Courier|date=16 March 2013|accessdate=5 June 2013}} Simonsen made his debut, in the Dundee derby, which ended 1–1.{{cite news|title=Dundee Utd 1–1 Dundee|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21732273|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 March 2013|accessdate=5 June 2013}} Towards the end of the season, with Dundee facing relegation, Simonsen was the club's first choice goalkeeper. Dundee were relegated after a draw with Aberdeen on 5 May 2013.{{cite news|title=Dundee 1–1 Aberdeen|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22328124|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 May 2013|accessdate=5 June 2013}} Despite the relegation, Brown praised his performance and stated he would love Simonsen to stay for a further season.{{cite news|title=Dundee boss John Brown focuses on First Division future|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22584088|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 May 2013|accessdate=5 June 2013}} However, Simonsen's time with Dundee was ended when he was not offered a further deal, having stayed at the club for two months.{{cite news|title=Dundee boss John Brown wields axe to squad|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/sport/football/dundee-fc/dundee-boss-john-brown-wields-axe-to-squad-1.95437|work=The Courier|date=22 May 2013|accessdate=5 June 2013}}

=Rangers=

On 13 September 2013, Scottish League One side Rangers announced that Simonsen had signed a contract until the end of the 2013–14 season.{{cite web|title=Simonsen Signs On|url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/5077-simonsen-signs-on-Simonsen|work=Rangers F.C|access-date=13 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222101054/http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/5077-simonsen-signs-on-Simonsen|archive-date=22 February 2014|url-status=dead}} He previously went on the trial with the club in mid-August.{{cite news|title=Rangers: Goalkeeper Steve Simonsen handed trial at Ibrox|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23686298|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 August 2013|accessdate=12 February 2014}}

Simonsen was the back-up goalkeeper to Cammy Bell until making his debut for Rangers on 20 January against Forfar,{{cite web|title=Mac And Simmo Start|url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/6032-mac-and-simmo-start|work=Rangers F.C|access-date=20 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201235222/http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/6032-mac-and-simmo-start|archive-date=1 February 2014|url-status=dead}} where he won praise for an outstanding reflex save during a 2–0 win for Rangers.{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=David|title=Ibrox keeper Steve Simonsen: My save may have been a stand-out but I am still the stand-in at Rangers|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ibrox-keeper-steve-simonsen-save-3048716|work=Daily Record|accessdate=13 April 2014|date=22 January 2014}} Simonsen's only other first team appearance that season for Rangers was in their Scottish Cup semi-final tie against Dundee United, where Simonsen's misplaced kick-out led directly to Dundee United's third goal in a 3–1 defeat for the Ibrox club.{{cite web|last=Forsyth|first=Roddy|title=Rangers 1 Dundee United 3: match report|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/scottish-cup/10762911/Rangers-1-Dundee-United-3-match-report.html|work=The Telegraph|accessdate=13 April 2014|date=12 April 2014}} After the match, Manager Ally McCoist said he has no sympathy to Simonsen following criticism was directly made to him.{{cite news|title=McCoist: I've no sympathy for Steve Simonsen after his Twitter abuse|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/mccoist-ive-no-sympathy-for-steve-simonsen-after-his-twitter-abuse.1397488723|publisher=The Herald Scotland|date=14 April 2014|accessdate=9 July 2015}} Simonsen later described this as "cruel moment".{{cite news|title=Rangers goalkeeper Steve Simonsen: Scottish Cup blunder was a cruel moment.. I'm determined not to let this chance slip|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-goalkeeper-steve-simonsen-scottish-4093148|work=Daily Record|date=23 August 2014|accessdate=9 July 2015}} Despite on 3 May, Rangers players made history by becoming the first Rangers side in 115 years to go an entire league season unbeaten after a 1–1 draw with Dunfermline during which they clinched the Scottish League One championship. Following the end of the season, he was part of a young Rangers squad that featured in the HKFC International Soccer Sevens held in May.{{cite web|title=Hong Kong Kids Return|url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/academy-news/item/6993-hong-kong-kids-return|publisher=Rangers FC|access-date=27 December 2014|date=27 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227175415/http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/academy-news/item/6993-hong-kong-kids-return|archive-date=27 December 2014|url-status=dead}}

Simonsen was due to leave Rangers at the end of the 2013–14 season, however he re-signed in July 2014 for the following campaign.{{cite web|last1=Dickson|first1=Andrew|title=Simmo Signs on Again|url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/7181-simmo-signs-on-again|publisher=Rangers FC|access-date=27 December 2014|date=11 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227175906/http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/7181-simmo-signs-on-again|archive-date=27 December 2014|url-status=dead}} He made his first start of the 2014–15 season in an 8–1 victory at Ibrox against Clyde in the Scottish Challenge Cup.{{cite news|title=Rangers 8 – 1 Clyde|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28735894|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 August 2013|accessdate=9 July 2015}} Simonsen became a second goalkeeper for the club following Bell's injury and went on to make thirty-three appearances in all competitions, including being in goal when Rangers faced rival's Celtic for the first time in three years in the Scottish League Cup semi-final, which Rangers lost 2–0.{{cite news|title=Celtic 2 – 0 Rangers|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30971812|publisher=BBC Sport|date=1 February 2015|accessdate=9 July 2015}} His second season at Rangers was proven to be controversial when he charged for betting.{{cite news|title=Scottish Championship: Rangers goalkeeper Steve Simonsen charged by SFA over betting|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11788/9656409/scottish-championship-rangers-goalkeeper-steve-simonsen-charged-by-sfa-over-betting|publisher=Sky Sports|date=22 January 2015|accessdate=9 July 2015}} Simonsen received a two-match ban, though one man was suspended.{{cite news|title=Rangers keeper Steve Simonsen receives two-match ban for betting on 55 games|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/rangers-keeper-steve-simonsen-receives-5153559|work=Daily Mirror|date=12 February 2015|accessdate=9 July 2015}} There were criticism to Simonsen's suspension made by SFA, as it was too lightly and too lenient.{{cite news|title=Rangers keeper Steve Simonsen's let off lightly over SFA betting charge because he didn't know the rules|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-keeper-steve-simonsens-lightly-5151860|work=Daily Record|date=12 February 2015|accessdate=9 July 2015}} As a result, SFA was considering to extending Simonsen's suspension, an action was criticised by PFA Scotland.{{cite news|title=Seething SFA to fight Steve Simonsen one-match ban because they feel the punishment's too soft|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/seething-sfa-fight-steve-simonsen-5229889|work=Daily Record|date=25 February 2015|accessdate=9 July 2015}}{{cite news|title=Union chiefs tell the SFA: You've blackened Steve Simonsen's name and damaged his career chances|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/union-chiefs-tell-sfa-youve-5266150|work=Daily Record|date=3 March 2015|accessdate=9 July 2015}} The SFA's attempts to extend Simonsen's suspension was rejected.{{cite news|title=SFA FAIL to extend Rangers Steve Simonsen's betting ban|url=http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/567849/SFA-FAIL-to-extend-Rangers-Steve-Simonsen-s-betting-ban|work=Daily Express|date=1 April 2013|accessdate=9 July 2015}}

As a result of ban, Simonsen feared that the betting incident could see his future ruined.{{cite news|title=SFA have ruined my Rangers career: Steve Simonsen fears for his Ibrox future after winning appeal over betting charge|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sfa-ruined-rangers-career-steve-5443584|work=Daily Record|date=2 April 2015|accessdate=9 July 2015}} Eventually, Simonsen was released by Rangers at the end of the season, along with several other players, after the club failed to gain promotion to the Scottish Premiership.{{cite web |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/king-mccall-is-still-in-the-running-to-be-rangers-manager.1433769197 |title=Mohsni, Black, Smith, Daly, Foster, Hutton, Simonson, Robinson and Faure have all left Rangers |first=Christopher |last=Jack |work=The Herald |publisher=Herald & Times Group |date=8 June 2015 |accessdate=9 July 2015}}

=FC Pune City=

Simonsen was signed by Indian Super League club FC Pune City on 20 July 2015 for the 2015 Indian Super League.{{cite web|url=http://www.indiansuperleague.com/press-releases/2133-a-double-strike-from-fc-pune-city-signs-2-prominent-english-players|title=A double strike from FC Pune City, signs 2 prominent English players|access-date=21 July 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924044605/http://www.indiansuperleague.com/press-releases/2133-a-double-strike-from-fc-pune-city-signs-2-prominent-english-players|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/245862-indian-super-league-fc-pune-city-sign-nicky-shorey-and-steve-simonsen|title=Indian Super League: FC Pune City Sign Nicky Shorey and Steve Simonsen – NDTV Sports|last=NDTVSports.com|access-date=21 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304080928/http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/245862-indian-super-league-fc-pune-city-sign-nicky-shorey-and-steve-simonsen|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}

International career

Simonsen appeared for the England Under 21s, winning four caps. The son of a Danish seaman,{{ cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/jan/08/sport.comment3 | title=The forgotten man cannot wait to jog Arsenal's memory | date=8 January 2005 | work=Michael Walker | accessdate=21 June 2014}} he is eligible to represent Denmark at international level.{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11671/2224345/simonsen-considers-danish-move|title=SIMONSEN CONSIDERS DANISH MOVE}}

Personal life

Simonsen was married to Claire Simonsen, a former presenter on Radio City 96.7, who now co-presents the breakfast show on In Demand Radio Alongside Lee Butler and Gemma cutting. Together, the couple have two children Micheal and Melodie.

In April 2014, Simonsen was fined, and banned from driving for twelve months. Around that time, Simonsen and his wife were in process of divorce and up until now, "Simonsen has no previous record and is a man of previous good character".{{cite news|title=Rangers' Steve Simonsen hit with drink-driving ban|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/rangers-steve-simonsen-hit-with-drink-driving-ban-1-3360945|work=The Scotsman|date=2 April 2014|accessdate=9 July 2015}} Upon being charged for betting, Simonsen's action were revealed when his wife was declared bankrupt after having a debt of £22,000 and cited the bankruptcy over "reduction in household income" and "relationship breakdown."{{cite news|title=Rangers star Steve Simonsen splurged cash at bookies but his wife Claire couldn't pay £22K creditors' bill|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/rangers-star-steve-simonsen-splurged-5032970|work=Daily Record|date=23 January 2015|accessdate=9 July 2015}}

Career statistics

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition{{cite web|title=Steve Simonsen|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10723|work=Soccerbase|accessdate=5 September 2013}}

rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|FA Cup

!colspan="2"|League Cup

!colspan="2"|Other

!colspan="2"|Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
rowspan="3"|Tranmere Rovers

|1997–98{{Soccerbase season|id=10723|season=1997}}

|First Division

|30

03000colspan="2"|—330
1998–99{{Soccerbase season|id=10723|season=1998}}

|First Division

|5

00040colspan="2"|—90
colspan="2"|Total

!35

03040colspan="2"|—420
rowspan="6"|Everton

|1999–2000{{Soccerbase season|id=10723|season=1999}}

|Premier League

|1

02000colspan="2"|—30
2000–01{{Soccerbase season|id=10723|season=2000}}

|Premier League

|1

00000colspan="2"|—10
2001–02{{Soccerbase season|id=10723|season=2001}}

|Premier League

|25

05000colspan="2"|—300
2002–03{{Soccerbase season|id=10723|season=2002}}

|Premier League

|2

00000colspan="2"|—20
2003–04{{Soccerbase season|id=10723|season=2003}}

|Premier League

|1

00000colspan="2"|—10
colspan="2"|Total

!30

07000colspan="2"|—370
rowspan="7"|Stoke City

|2004–05{{Soccerbase season|id=10723|season=2004}}

|Championship

|31

01010colspan="2"|—|330
2005–06{{Soccerbase season|id=10723|season=2005}}

|Championship

|45

04010colspan="2"|—500
2006–07{{Soccerbase season|id=10723|season=2006}}

|Championship

|46

02010colspan="2"|—490
2007–08{{Soccerbase season|id=10723|season=2007}}

|Championship

|36

02000colspan="2"|—380
2008–09{{Soccerbase season|id=10723|season=2008}}

|Premier League

|5

01040colspan="2"|—100
2009–10{{Soccerbase season|id=10723|season=2009}}

|Premier League

|3

01030colspan="2"|—70
colspan="2"|Total

!166

0110100colspan="2"|—1870
rowspan="4"|Sheffield United

|2009–10

|Championship

|7

00000colspan="2"|—70
2010–11{{Soccerbase season|id=10723|season=2010}}

|Championship

|45

01010colspan="2"|—470
2011–12{{Soccerbase season|id=10723|season=2011}}

|League One

|44

040204{{efn|One appearance in Football League Trophy and three appearances in the League One play-offs}}0540
colspan="2"|Total

!96

05030401080
Preston North End

|2012–13{{Soccerbase season|id=10723|season=2012}}

|League One

|10

020203{{efn|Appearances in Football League Trophy}}0170
Dundee

|2012–13

|Scottish Premier League

|8

000000080
rowspan="3"|Rangers

|2013–14{{Soccerbase season|id=10723|season=2013}}

|Scottish League One

|2

010000030
2014–15{{Soccerbase season|id=10723|season=2014}}

|Scottish Championship

|18

020503{{efn|Appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup}}0280
colspan="2"|Total

!20

0305030310
Pune City

|2015{{Soccerway|15451|accessdate=6 January 2018}}

|Indian Super League

|10

0colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—100
colspan="3"|Career total

!375

03102401004400

{{notelist}}

Honours

Stoke City

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{Soccerbase}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Simonsen, Steve}}

Category:1979 births

Category:Footballers from South Shields

Category:Living people

Category:English people of Danish descent

Category:English men's footballers

Category:Men's association football goalkeepers

Category:England men's under-21 international footballers

Category:English Football League players

Category:Premier League players

Category:Scottish Premier League players

Category:Tranmere Rovers F.C. players

Category:Everton F.C. players

Category:Stoke City F.C. players

Category:Sheffield United F.C. players

Category:Preston North End F.C. players

Category:Dundee F.C. players

Category:Scottish Professional Football League players

Category:Rangers F.C. players

Category:FC Pune City players

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in India

Category:English expatriate men's footballers

Category:English expatriate sportspeople in India

Category:Indian Super League players