Danny Simpson (early footballer)

Daniel Simpson was an English footballer who scored 53 goals in 151 competitive games for Burslem Port Vale between 1896 and 1903. A centre-forward, he was twice the club's top-scorer, and scored the only goal of the 1898 Staffordshire Senior Cup final.

Danny Simpson
Simpson in Burslem Port Vale colours.
Personal information
Full name Daniel Simpson[1]
Place of birth Dalehall, Burslem, England[1]
Position(s) Centre-forward
Youth career
Tunstall Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1896–1903 Burslem Port Vale 123 (43)
Total 123 (43)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

Simpson played for Tunstall Town, before joining Burslem Port Vale in February 1896, after a successful trial.[1] He scored his first goal in the Second Division on 3 April 1896, in a 4–2 defeat to Newcastle United at St James' Park.[1] He scored twice in 12 games in 1895–96, after which the club was demoted to the Midland League.[1] He scored 14 goals in 1896–97 and 11 goals in 1897–98 to become the club's joint-top scorer in two consecutive seasons, along with Dick Evans.[1] He also scored the only goal of the Staffordshire Senior Cup final on 5 March 1898.[1]

He hit seven goals in 22 appearances in 1898–99, following the Vale's re-admittance into the English Football League.[1] He finished the 1899–1900 season with three goals in 19 games.[1] He featured seven times in 1900–01, scoring three goals.[1] After suffering from poor health, he turned up at a match with Chesterfield at Saltergate on 20 October at half-time, after missing his train.[1]

Simpson got off to an excellent start to the 1901–02 campaign, finding the net in wins over Bristol City and Woolwich Arsenal at the Athletic Ground.[1] He finished the season with 12 goals in 28 games.[1] However, he scored just once in six appearances in the 1902–03 season, and was released from his contract.[1] In his nine seasons with the club he had played 151 matches (83 in the Football League) and scored 53 goals (23 in the Football League).[1] His benefit match was held against rivals Stoke on 21 April 1900 – Stoke won the game 1–0.[2]

Career statistics

Source:[3]

Club Season Division League FA Cup Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Burslem Port Vale1895–96Second Division1220000122
1896–97Midland League251122513214
1897–98Midland League15950522511
1898–99Second Division1752131227
1899–1900Second Division1730020193
1900–01Second Division63001073
1901–02Second Division25922112812
1902–03Second Division61000061
Total 1234311517515153

Honours

Port Vale

References
  1. Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 267. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
  2. Kent, Jeff (November 1998). The Potteries Derbies. Witan Books. p. 66. ISBN 0-9529152-3-5.
  3. Danny Simpson at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
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