Simon Funnell Explained

Simon Funnell
Fullname:Simon Paul Funnell
Birth Date:8 August 1974
Birth Place:Shoreham-by-Sea, England
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Alfold (manager)
Youthclubs1:Adur Athletic
Youthclubs2:Southampton
Youthyears3:1990–1992
Youthclubs3:Brighton & Hove Albion
Years1:1992–1995
Caps1:28
Goals1:2
Years2:1995
Clubs2:Shoreham (loan)
Clubs3:Stamco
Years4:–2001
Clubs4:Worthing
Years5:2001–2002
Clubs5:Bognor Regis Town
Years6:2002–200?
Clubs6:Southwick
Clubs7:Three Bridges
Manageryears1:2011–2014
Managerclubs1:East Grinstead Town
Manageryears2:2015–2016
Managerclubs2:Shoreham
Manageryears3:2016–2017
Managerclubs3:Worthing United
Manageryears4:2021–2024
Managerclubs4:Copthorne
Manageryears5:2024–
Managerclubs5:Alfold

Simon Paul Funnell (born 8 August 1974) is an English former professional footballer who played as a forward in the Football League for Brighton & Hove Albion.

Life and career

Funnell was born in 1974 in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, where he attended King's Manor School. He played youth football for Adur Athletic and was an associate schoolboy with Southampton before joining Brighton & Hove Albion as a trainee in 1990. He made his senior debut in May 1992, in the last match of the season that confirmed Brighton's relegation from the Second Division. He turned professional soon afterwards, and made 25 appearances in the 1993–94 season, but played rarely thereafter, and spent time on loan at Sussex County League club Shoreham before being released in 1995.[1] Funnell went on to play non-league football in the Sussex area for clubs including Stamco,[2] Worthing, Bognor Regis Town,[3] Southwick, Oakwood and Three Bridges,[2] before moving into coaching and management at non-league level with clubs including East Grinstead Town, Chipstead, Shoreham,[4] Horsham,[5] and Worthing United.[6] [7] He became manager of Copthorne in August 2021,[8] remaining in post until resigning in February 2024.[9] In May 2024 he was appointed manager of Alfold of the Southern Combination.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Tim . Carder . Roger . Harris . Albion A–Z: A Who's Who of Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. . Goldstone Books . Hove . 1997 . 89 . 978-0-9521337-1-1.
  2. Web site: Player search . English National Player Archive . 19 September 2018.
  3. News: Hayes sets sights on title . News Shopper . 16 August 2001 . 19 September 2018.
  4. News: Funnell: I don't know why it didn't work at Mussels . Shoreham Herald . 17 March 2016 . 20 September 2018.
  5. Web site: Club welcomes Funnell to management team . Horsham F.C. . 17 June 2016 . 20 September 2018.
  6. News: Funnell named Worthing United's new manager . Worthing Herald . 18 November 2016 . 19 September 2018.
  7. News: Evans 'relieved' after Mavericks stay safe . Lewis . Mason . Worthing Herald . 2 May 2017 . 20 September 2018.
  8. Copthorne FC . CopthorneFC . 1424667241023479813 . UPDATE: We would like to welcome our new first team managers Simon Funnell & Matt Drew to the club. . 9 August 2021 . 22 May 2024.
  9. Copthorne FC . CopthorneFC . 1754147655242883482 . CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT First Team manager Simon Funnell has resigned from the club. . 4 February 2024 . 22 May 2024.
  10. Alfold FC . Alfold_FC . 1787910159634694648 . Alfold Get Their Man! Alfold FC are pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Funnell as First Team Manager. . 7 May 2024 . 22 May 2024.