Simon Grayson

With Leicester City, League Cup winner 1997

Simon joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan from Blackburn at the start of 2000-01 and performed competently at right back for the Owls without tempting manager Paul Jewell to pursue a permanent deal. He returned to Ewood Park making his only first-team appearance of the campaign in the Worthington Cup tie with Portsmouth, but soon found himself out of favour to such an extent that he was not even considered for the reserves.

In January, he moved on to First Division rivals Stockport County in a long-term loan deal that proved a huge success. He appeared regularly for the Hatters in a central midfield role where his committed approach to every game endeared him to players and fans alike.

Tenacious and enthusiastic, he is a versatile player who can feature either in defence or midfield.

Simon swappred Blackburn for Blackpool in July 2002 on a two-year contract that was extended to June 2006 in May 2005 by which time he had also become the Tangerines' reserve team coach.