Donovan Simmonds Explained

Donovan Simmonds
Fullname:Donovan Ashton Simmonds[1]
Birth Date:1988 10, df=y
Birth Place:Walthamstow, England
Position:Striker
Youthyears1:2004–2007
Youthclubs1:Charlton Athletic
Years1:2007–2009
Clubs1:Coventry City
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2008
Clubs2:Gillingham (loan)
Caps2:3
Goals2:0
Years3:2008–2009
Clubs3:Kilmarnock (loan)
Caps3:19
Goals3:1
Years4:2009
Clubs4:Floriana
Caps4:7
Goals4:1
Years5:2010
Caps5:14
Goals5:1
Years6:2010
Caps6:2
Goals6:0
Years7:2010
Clubs7:Nuneaton Town
Caps7:10
Goals7:9
Years8:2010–2012
Caps8:31
Goals8:7
Years9:2012–2013
Caps9:26
Goals9:3
Years10:2013
Clubs10:Boreham Wood
Caps10:8
Goals10:3
Years11:2013–2014
Clubs11:Tilbury
Caps11:10
Goals11:0
Years12:2014
Clubs12:Tamworth
Caps12:6
Goals12:1
Years13:2014–2015
Caps13:13
Goals13:0
Years14:2015–2017
Clubs14:VCD Athletic
Caps14:?
Goals14:?
Years15:2017
Clubs15:Kingstonian
Caps15:2
Goals15:0
Club-Update:04:40, 7 January 2018 (UTC)

Donovan Ashton Simmonds (born 12 October 1988 in Walthamstow) is an English footballer who last played for Kingstonian. He plays as a striker.

Simmonds began his youth career with London side Charlton Athletic, before moving to Coventry City where he failed to make any appearances. He spent two spells on loan with Gillingham and in the Scottish Premier League with Kilmarnock, before being released in 2009.

He spent a short spell with Maltese club Floriana, before returning to the United Kingdom to sign for Greenock Morton in the Scottish Football League First Division. Simmonds signed for Conference North club Nuneaton Town in September 2010, and for Dover Athletic two months later. He later signed for Chelmsford City in September 2012.

Playing career

Coventry City

Simmonds joined Coventry City on a free transfer, signing a two-year deal following his release from the Charlton Athletic academy at the end of the 2006–07 season.

Simmonds had impressed while on trial, playing in two friendly matches and a testimonial match against Nuneaton Borough, in which he netted in a 5–0 win.[2] He was one of a number of Coventry signings to have previously worked with manager Iain Dowie during their brief time together at Charlton.

Gillingham

On 28 March 2008, it was announced that Simmonds had joined Gillingham on loan until the end of the season,[3] where he was given the number 2 (a number usually associated with right-backs). Simmonds made his Gills debut in a 2–1 home win against Luton Town on 1 April.

Kilmarnock

On 13 August 2008 Simmonds joined Kilmarnock on a loan deal set to last until 5 January 2009.[4] Simmonds scored his debut Killie goal with a late header against Falkirk after coming on as a sub. In December, Kilmarnock announced that his loan deal had been extended until the end of the season.

Floriana

On 19 August 2009, it was confirmed that Simmonds had joined Maltese Premier League side Floriana, following his release from Coventry.[5]

Simmonds scored his first goal since joining the Greens in the 1–0 win over Hamrun Spartans on 4 October 2009.

After leaving Floriana, Simmonds trained with Greenock Morton, playing two trial matches to try to win a deal.[6]

Greenock Morton

Simmonds signed for Scottish First Division side Morton on 27 February 2010, until the end of the season.[7]

He was released by Morton at the end of the 2009–10 season.[8]

Rushden & Diamonds

Simmonds signed a contract with Rushden & Diamonds on 6 August 2010.[9]

Nuneaton Town

He then signed for Conference North outfit Nuneaton Town on 20 September 2010 and played his debut less than 24 hours later in Nuneaton's 3–0 defeat of Harrogate Town.

Dover Athletic

Simmonds returned to Kent for his third club in less than half a season, joining Dover Athletic in December 2010 and scoring on his début against Maidenhead United.

He was released in May 2012 by the club.[10]

Chelmsford City

Simmonds signed for Conference South club Chelmsford in September 2012. He scored two goals and made an assist in an FA Cup 1st round tie with local rivals Colchester United, which Chelmsford won 3–1.

Tilbury

In November 2013, Simmonds signed for Isthmian League club, Tilbury and featured regularly in their starting lineup, before leaving the club at the end of the season.

Tamworth

On 2 August 2014, Donovan joined Conference North side Tamworth following a successful trial period, and was joined on the same day by Brendon Daniels and George Grayson.[11]

Bishop's Stortford

Simmonds joined Bishop's Stortford in October 2014.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Hugman . Barry J. . The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09 . Mainstream . 2008 . 978-1-84596-324-8.
  2. News: Sky Blues thrash neighbours Town . BBC Sport. 25 July 2008. 25 July 2008.
  3. News: Simmonds signs on loan for Gills. BBC Sport. 28 March 2008. 28 March 2008.
  4. News: Simmonds' Scottish loan . 13 August 2008 . ccfc.premiumtv.co.uk . dmy .
  5. News: Donovan Simmonds joins Floriana F.C.. FlorianaFC.com. 18 August 2009. 18 August 2009.
  6. News: A last chance for Simmonds to grab deal. Greenock Telegraph. 10 February 2010. 12 February 2010. Roger. Graham.
  7. News: Donovan Simmons [sic] ]. gmfc.net . 27 February 2010 . 27 February 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110716224526/http://www.gmfc.net/News/%26action%3Dfullnews%26id%3D338 . 16 July 2011 . dmy .
  8. News: Brian Graham signs new Ton deal. Greenock Telegraph. 18 May 2010. 20 May 2010.
  9. News: Rushden & Diamonds agree deal with Donovan Simmonds. BBC Sport. 9 August 2010. 12 August 2010.
  10. News: Forster releases seven . NonLeagueDaily.com . 3 May 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120504005359/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php . 4 May 2012 . dmy-all .
  11. Web site: Tamworth FC complete triple transfer deal . Panter . Matt . 2 August 2014 . TamworthHerald.co.uk . 2 August 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924121922/http://www.tamworthherald.co.uk/Tamworth-FC-complete-triple-transfer-deal/story-22057385-detail/story.html . 24 September 2015 . dead .
  12. Web site: Former Coventry City and AFC Wimbledon players join Bishop's Stortford FC as Hilton checks out – Bishops Stortford Herts & Essex Observer. https://web.archive.org/web/20141104151349/http://www.hertsandessexobserver.co.uk/new-signings-Bishop-8217-s-Stortford-FC-Hilton/story-23391146-detail/story.html. dead. 4 November 2014. 4 November 2014. 4 April 2018.