Paul Simpson
| Date of birth | 26 July 1966 |
| Place of birth | Carlisle |
| Nationality | English |
| Weight | 74 kg |
| Height | 1.68 m |
| Position | Midfielder |
This experienced left-sided midfielder proved to be an inspirational signing for Blackpool manager Steve McMahon.
A creative player with a good eye for goal he became the Bloomfield Road club's dead-ball specialist, delivering accurate corners and creating numerous chances with his free kicks.
Paul was a pivotal figure for the Tangerines and was rewarded for some excellent performances when he was voted the club's 'Player of the Year' and also selected for the PFA Third Division team.
Following his stint as player / manager at Rochdale, Paul returned to his home town in July 2003 to join Carlisle United on a one-year contract.
Club history
| Team | Joined | Left | Loan / Trialist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester City | 04 Aug 1983 | 31 Oct 1988 | |
| Oxford United | 31 Oct 1988 | 20 Feb 1992 | |
| Derby County | 20 Feb 1992 | 10 Nov 1997 | |
| Sheffield United | 06 Dec 1996 | 28 Dec 1996 | L |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 10 Oct 1997 | 09 Nov 1997 | L |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 10 Nov 1997 | 10 Aug 2000 | |
| Walsall | 17 Sep 1998 | 17 Oct 1998 | L |
| Walsall | 11 Dec 1998 | 11 Jan 1999 | L |
| Blackpool | 10 Aug 2000 | 25 Mar 2002 | |
| Rochdale | 25 Mar 2002 | 07 May 2003 | |
| Carlisle United | 28 Jul 2003 | 16 Jun 2006 |
Club stats
| Season | Team | Competition | Apps | Subs | Goals | Y | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991-92 | Derby County | League Division Two | 16 | 7 |
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| 1991-92 | Derby County | League Division Two Play-Offs | 2 | ||||
| 1992-93 | Derby County | FA Cup | 1 | 1 |
|||
| 1992-93 | Derby County | League Cup | 3 | 3 |
|||
| 1992-93 | Derby County | League Division 1 | 32 | 3 |
12 |
||
| 1993-94 | Derby County | FA Cup | 1 | ||||
| 1993-94 | Derby County | League Cup | 3 | 1 |
|||
| 1993-94 | Derby County | League Division 1 | 27 | 7 |
9 |
||
| 1993-94 | Derby County | League Division 1 Play-Offs | 3 | ||||
| 1994-95 | Derby County | FA Cup | 1 | ||||
| 1994-95 | Derby County | League Cup | 2 | 1 |
1 |
||
| 1994-95 | Derby County | League Division 1 | 37 | 5 |
8 |
||
| 1995-96 | Derby County | FA Cup | 1 | 1 |
|||
| 1995-96 | Derby County | League Cup | 2 | 1 |
|||
| 1995-96 | Derby County | League Division 1 | 21 | 18 |
10 |
||
| 1996-97 | Derby County | FA Cup | 3 |
||||
| 1996-97 | Derby County | League Cup | 2 | 1 |
|||
| 1996-97 | Derby County | Premier League | 19 |
2 |
|||
| 1997-98 | Derby County | League Cup | 2 |
||||
| 1997-98 | Derby County | Premier League | 1 | ||||
| 1997-98 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | FA Cup | 2 | 1 |
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| 1998-99 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | FA Cup | 1 |
||||
| 1998-99 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | League Cup | 1 | ||||
| 1999-00 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | FA Cup | 1 |
||||
| 1999-00 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | League Cup | 1 | 1 |
|||
| 2000-01 | Blackpool | FA Cup | 2 | ||||
| 2000-01 | Blackpool | LDV Vans Trophy | 1 | ||||
| 2000-01 | Blackpool | League Cup | 4 | ||||
| 2000-01 | Blackpool | League Division 3 | 44 | 12 |
2
|
||
| 2000-01 | Blackpool | League Division 3 Play-Offs | 2 | 1 |
|||
| 2001-02 | Blackpool | FA Cup | 4 | 1 |
1
|
||
| 2001-02 | Blackpool | LDV Vans Trophy | 1 | 2 |
|||
| 2001-02 | Blackpool | League Cup | 1 | 1 |
|||
| 2001-02 | Blackpool | League Division 2 | 25 | 7 |
1 |
||
| 2001-02 | Rochdale | League Division 3 | 7 | 5 |
|||
| 2001-02 | Rochdale | League Division 3 Play-Offs | 2 | 1 |
1
|
||
| 2002-03 | Rochdale | FA Cup | 3 | 1 |
1 |
||
| 2002-03 | Rochdale | LDV Vans Trophy | 1 | ||||
| 2002-03 | Rochdale | League Cup | 1 | ||||
| 2002-03 | Rochdale | League Division 3 | 30 | 5 |
10 |
2
|
|
| 2003-04 | Carlisle United | LDV Vans Trophy | 1 |
||||
| 2003-04 | Carlisle United | League Division 3 | 25 | 6 |
1
|
||
| 2005-06 | Carlisle United | League Two | 4 | 5 |
Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.
Club matches
| Date | Match | Result | Competition | Round | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Aug 2000 | Blackpool v Hull City | W | 3-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 19 Aug 2000 | Cardiff City v Blackpool | D | 1-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 22 Aug 2000 | Stockport County v Blackpool | W | 0-1 | League Cup | 1st round 1st leg |
| 26 Aug 2000 | Blackpool v Leyton Orient | D | 2-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 28 Aug 2000 | Torquay United v Blackpool | L | 3-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 02 Sep 2000 | Scunthorpe United v Blackpool | L | 1-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 05 Sep 2000 | Blackpool v Stockport County | W |
3-2 Agg: 4-2 |
League Cup | 1st round 2nd leg |
| 12 Sep 2000 | Blackpool v Brighton and Hove Albion | L | 0-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 16 Sep 2000 | Lincoln City v Blackpool | D | 1-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 19 Sep 2000 | Norwich City v Blackpool | D | 3-3 | League Cup | 2nd round 1st leg |
| 23 Sep 2000 | Blackpool v Chesterfield | L | 1-3 | League Division 3 | |
| 29 Sep 2000 | Kidderminster Harriers v Blackpool | W | 1-4 | League Division 3 | |
| 02 Oct 2000 | Blackpool v Norwich City | L |
0-5 Agg: 3-8 |
League Cup | 1st round 2nd leg |
| 08 Oct 2000 | Blackpool v Southend United | D | 2-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 14 Oct 2000 | Plymouth Argyle v Blackpool | L | 2-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 17 Oct 2000 | Mansfield Town v Blackpool | W | 0-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 21 Oct 2000 | Blackpool v Macclesfield Town | W | 2-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 24 Oct 2000 | Blackpool v Carlisle United | W | 3-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 28 Oct 2000 | Cheltenham Town v Blackpool | W | 0-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 04 Nov 2000 | Blackpool v Shrewsbury Town | L | 0-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 11 Nov 2000 | Barnet v Blackpool | L | 7-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 18 Nov 2000 | Blackpool v Telford United | W | 3-1 | FA Cup | 1st round |
| 25 Nov 2000 | Blackpool v Darlington | W | 2-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 02 Dec 2000 | Rochdale v Blackpool | L | 1-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 10 Dec 2000 | Blackpool v Yeovil Town | L | 0-1 | FA Cup | 2nd round |
| 16 Dec 2000 | Blackpool v Exeter City | W | 3-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 22 Dec 2000 | York City v Blackpool | W | 0-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 26 Dec 2000 | Blackpool v Halifax Town | L | 0-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 09 Jan 2001 | Lincoln City v Blackpool | L | 3-1 | LDV Vans Trophy | 2nd round - northern section |
| 13 Jan 2001 | Blackpool v Torquay United | W | 5-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 16 Jan 2001 | Hull City v Blackpool | W | 0-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 03 Feb 2001 | Blackpool v Scunthorpe United | W | 6-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 10 Feb 2001 | Hartlepool United v Blackpool | L | 3-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 13 Feb 2001 | Blackpool v Cardiff City | W | 1-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 17 Feb 2001 | Blackpool v Lincoln City | W | 2-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 20 Feb 2001 | Brighton and Hove Albion v Blackpool | L | 1-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 24 Feb 2001 | Chesterfield v Blackpool | L | 2-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 03 Mar 2001 | Blackpool v Kidderminster Harriers | W | 5-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 06 Mar 2001 | Blackpool v Plymouth Argyle | W | 1-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 10 Mar 2001 | Southend United v Blackpool | W | 0-3 | League Division 3 | |
| 17 Mar 2001 | Blackpool v Mansfield Town | D | 2-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 20 Mar 2001 | Leyton Orient v Blackpool | L | 1-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 24 Mar 2001 | Macclesfield Town v Blackpool | L | 2-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 31 Mar 2001 | Exeter City v Blackpool | L | 2-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 10 Apr 2001 | Halifax Town v Blackpool | W | 1-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 14 Apr 2001 | Carlisle United v Blackpool | L | 1-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 16 Apr 2001 | Blackpool v Cheltenham Town | D | 2-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 21 Apr 2001 | Shrewsbury Town v Blackpool | L | 1-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 26 Apr 2001 | Blackpool v Rochdale | W | 3-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 28 Apr 2001 | Blackpool v Barnet | W | 3-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 05 May 2001 | Darlington v Blackpool | W | 1-3 | League Division 3 | |
| 13 May 2001 | Blackpool v Hartlepool United | W | 2-0 | League Division 3 Play-Offs | Semi-final 1st leg |
| 26 May 2001 | Blackpool v Leyton Orient | W | 4-2 | League Division 3 Play-Offs | Final |
| 11 Aug 2001 | Blackpool v Reading | L | 0-2 | League Division 2 | |
| 18 Aug 2001 | AFC Bournemouth v Blackpool | W | 0-1 | League Division 2 | |
| 21 Aug 2001 | Blackpool v Wigan Athletic | W | 3-2 | League Cup | 1st round |
| 25 Aug 2001 | Blackpool v Wycombe Wanderers | D | 2-2 | League Division 2 | |
| 08 Sep 2001 | Oldham Athletic v Blackpool | L | 2-1 | League Division 2 | |
| 10 Sep 2001 | Blackpool v Leicester City | L | 0-1 | League Cup | 2nd round |
| 15 Sep 2001 | Huddersfield Town v Blackpool | W | 2-4 | League Division 2 | |
| 18 Sep 2001 | Blackpool v Queens Park Rangers | D | 2-2 | League Division 2 | |
| 22 Sep 2001 | Blackpool v Cambridge United | D | 1-1 | League Division 2 | |
| 25 Sep 2001 | Northampton Town v Blackpool | W | 1-3 | League Division 2 | |
| 29 Sep 2001 | Blackpool v Wigan Athletic | W | 3-1 | League Division 2 | |
| 04 Oct 2001 | Tranmere Rovers v Blackpool | L | 4-0 | League Division 2 | |
| 13 Oct 2001 | Blackpool v Colchester United | W | 2-1 | League Division 2 | |
| 20 Oct 2001 | Peterborough United v Blackpool | L | 3-2 | League Division 2 | |
| 23 Oct 2001 | Wrexham v Blackpool | D | 1-1 | League Division 2 | |
| 27 Oct 2001 | Blackpool v Chesterfield | W | 1-0 | League Division 2 | |
| 03 Nov 2001 | Brentford v Blackpool | L | 2-0 | League Division 2 | |
| 06 Nov 2001 | Blackpool v Stoke City | D | 2-2 | League Division 2 | |
| 10 Nov 2001 | Blackpool v Swindon Town | W | 1-0 | League Division 2 | |
| 17 Nov 2001 | Blackpool v Newport County | D | 2-2 | FA Cup | 1st round |
| 20 Nov 2001 | Blackpool v Notts County | D | 0-0 | League Division 2 | |
| 24 Nov 2001 | Bristol City v Blackpool | L | 2-1 | League Division 2 | |
| 28 Nov 2001 | Newport County v Blackpool | W | 1-4 | FA Cup | 1st round replay |
| 01 Dec 2001 | Port Vale v Blackpool | D | 1-1 | League Division 2 | |
| 08 Dec 2001 | Blackpool v Rochdale | W | 2-0 | FA Cup | 2nd round |
| 15 Dec 2001 | Blackpool v Cardiff City | D | 1-1 | League Division 2 | |
| 22 Dec 2001 | Bury v Blackpool | D | 1-1 | League Division 2 | |
| 26 Dec 2001 | Blackpool v Oldham Athletic | L | 0-2 | League Division 2 | |
| 29 Dec 2001 | Blackpool v Brighton and Hove Albion | D | 2-2 | League Division 2 | |
| 01 Jan 2002 | Stoke City v Blackpool | L | 2-0 | League Division 2 | |
| 05 Jan 2002 | Charlton Athletic v Blackpool | L | 2-1 | FA Cup | 3rd round |
| 09 Jan 2002 | Oldham Athletic v Blackpool | W | 2-5 | LDV Vans Trophy | Semi-final - northern section |
| 12 Jan 2002 | Blackpool v AFC Bournemouth | W | 4-3 | League Division 2 | |
| 26 Jan 2002 | Blackpool v Bury | L | 0-1 | League Division 2 | |
| 29 Jan 2002 | Blackpool v Huddersfield Town | W | 3-1 | LDV Vans Trophy | Final - northern section (1st leg) |
| 02 Mar 2002 | Queens Park Rangers v Blackpool | L | 2-0 | League Division 2 | |
| 05 Mar 2002 | Blackpool v Northampton Town | L | 1-2 | League Division 2 | |
| 09 Mar 2002 | Cardiff City v Blackpool | D | 2-2 | League Division 2 | |
| 16 Mar 2002 | Blackpool v Port Vale | W | 4-0 | League Division 2 | |
| 19 Mar 2002 | Blackpool v Brentford | L | 1-3 | League Division 2 | |
| 24 Mar 2002 | Blackpool v Cambridge United | W | 4-1 | LDV Vans Trophy | Final |
Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.
International stats
| Season | Team | Competition | Apps | Subs | Goals | Y | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983-84 | England | Trophy Yugoslavia | 2 | ||||
| 1985-86 | England | UEFA Under-21 | 1 |
||||
| 1986-87 | England | Toulon Under-21 | 3 | 1 |
|||
| 1986-87 | England | UEFA Under-21 | 1 |
Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.
International matches
| Date | Match | Result | Competition | Round | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Sep 1983 | Switzerland v England | W | 2-4 | Trophy Yugoslavia | Final |
| 03 Sep 1983 | Hungary v England | W | 2-3 | Trophy Yugoslavia | Final |
| 26 Mar 1986 | England v Denmark | D | 1-1 | UEFA Under-21 | Quarter-final |
| 11 Nov 1986 | England v Yugoslavia | D | 1-1 | UEFA Under-21 | Group 4 |
| 07 Jun 1987 | England v Morocco | W | 2-0 | Toulon Under-21 | |
| 11 Jun 1987 | France v England | L | 2-0 | Toulon Under-21 | |
| 13 Jun 1987 | England v Portugal | D | 0-0 | Toulon Under-21 | |
Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.