Simon Rodger

Simon Lee Rodger (born 3 October 1971) is an English former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder from 1989 until 2004.

Simon Rodger
Personal information
Full name Simon Lee Rodger
Date of birth (1971-10-03) 3 October 1971
Place of birth Shoreham-by-Sea, England
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Bognor Regis Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1989–1990 Bognor Regis Town
1990–2002 Crystal Palace 276 (11)
1996Manchester City (loan) 8 (1)
1997Stoke City (loan) 5 (0)
2002 Woking 1 (0)
2002–2004 Brighton & Hove Albion 36 (2)
Total 326 (14)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He played the majority of his career with Crystal Palace, including a number of seasons in the Premier League. He also played in the Football League for Manchester City, Stoke City and Brighton & Hove Albion, and in non-League football for Bognor Regis Town and Woking.

Club career

Rodger was born in Shoreham-by-Sea and played non-league football with Bognor Regis Town before he was signed by Palace in 1990 for £1,000. He made his debut for the club, away at Sheffield Wednesday, at the age of 20 and soon established himself as a vital member of the first team at Selhurst Park.[1] He spent 11 seasons with Palace in what was a decade of instability at the club. They were founding members of the Premier League but were relegated back to Division One in 1992–93. They gained an instant return in 1993–94 which was followed again by relegation in 1994–95.

Promotion was again achieved in 1996–97 through the play-offs, but Rodger spent time out on loan that season at Manchester City (making eight appearances) and Stoke City (making five appearances). Palace then suffered a third relegation from the top-tier in 1997–98. Palace remained in Division One and with Rodger having spent ten years at the club he was given a testimonial against Tottenham Hotspur.[2] In 2002, after his testimonial, Rodger was released by the club and after a short time with Woking, was signed by Brighton and Hove Albion, where he was reunited with former Palace manager Steve Coppell. He finished his League career with Brighton.[3]

Personal life

Rodger is currently married to a QVC beauty expert presenter – Alison Young.

Career statistics

Source:[4]

Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other[A] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Crystal Palace 1991–92 First Division 220106010300
1992–93 Premier League 232104000282
1993–94 First Division 423104020493
1994–95 Premier League 4000000040
1995–96 First Division 240201010280
1996–97 First Division 110000030140
1997–98 Premier League 292301000332
1998–99 First Division 181102010221
1999–2000 First Division 342104100393
2000–01 First Division 330206000410
2001–02 First Division 361103100402
Total 276111303128032813
Manchester City (loan) 1996–97 First Division 8100000081
Stoke City (loan) 1996–97 First Division 5000000050
Woking 2002–03 Football Conference 1000000010
Brighton & Hove Albion 2002–03 First Division 292000000292
2003–04 Second Division 7000200090
total 362002000382
Career Total 326141303328037916
A. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the Anglo-Italian Cup, Football League play-offs, Full Members' Cup, Football League Trophy and UEFA Intertoto Cup.

References

  1. "Jolly Tribute – Simon Says". holmesdale.net. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  2. "Rodger testimonal confirmed". holmesdale.net. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  3. "Rodger not Jolly at leaving". holmesdale.net. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  4. Simon Rodger at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
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