Biography
Pacy striker Jay Simpson joined Hull City in August 2010 as manager Nigel Pearson commenced a reconstruction of the Tigers squad following relegation from the Premier League the previous May. Simpson was eased into the first team picture and initially struggled to find the net, only opening his account with a brace against Bristol City in December 2010. He then struck another double in the next match against Sheffield United before succumbing to an injury layoff just as he found a rich patch of form. Returning to the side in February 2011, he scored against Ipswich Town but spent the rest of the season on the fringes of the City first team.
He remained a bit-part player at the start of the 2011/12 season and in August 2007 he joined Championship side Millwall on a half season loan, scoring four goals for the Lions in 16 appearances. Returning to Hull City in January 2012, Simpson managed just two more substitute appearances for Nicky Barmby’s side in the remainder of the season and appeared to be nearing the end of his spell at the KC Stadium.
However when Steve Bruce took over the reins at the start of the 2012/13 season Simpson was rehabilitated and he struck up a productive partnership with Sone Aluko that fired City to the upper reaches of the Championship. Although often used from the bench, Simpson started the final match of the season against Cardiff City that secured promotion back to the Premier League. Despite this elevation Simpson was not offered a further contract and left the Tigers in June 2013.
Jay-Alistaire Frederick Simpson, known simply as Jay, was born in the North London suburb of Enfield, as a teenager he progressed rapidly through the academy ranks at Premier League side Arsenal. In February 2007 he etched his name in the Gunners’ history by scoring the first ever hattrick at the newly-constructed Emirates Stadium, in an FA Youth Cup tie against Cardiff City’s Under-18s. In August 2007 he joined League One side Millwall on a season-long loan, making his senior debut against Huddersfield Town on the first day of September 2007 and scoring his first senior goal three days later against Swansea City. He was a regular starter throughout the 2007/08 season and scored eight goals in 46 senior appearances.
Jay returned to Arsenal for the 2008/09 season and made three appearances in League Cup, scoring twice for the Gunners in a November 2008 tie against Wigan Athletic. In January 2009 he joined Premier League rivals West Bromwich Albion on a half-season loan, scoring two goals for the Baggies in 17 appearances. At the start of the 2009/10 season Simpson joined Championship side Queens Park Rangers on a season-long loan and enjoyed a breakout season, netting 13 goals in 42 appearances. He left Arsenal at the end of his contract in June 2010 having made just three appearances for the club and scoring two goals, joining Hull City two months later.
Following his release by Hull City in June 2013, Simpson took time to consider his options. In September 2013 he headed east and joined Thailand League side Buriram United. After just one goal in 21 appearances for the Thai side Simpson agreed a contract termination in February 2014 and returned to England.
In July 2014 Simpson joined League One side Leyton Orient, a move that coincided with the O’s beginning to tumble down the Football League ladder. Deployed mostly as substitute during the 2014/15 season, Jay netted eight goals including an October 2014 brace in the Football League Trophy against Dagenham & Redbridge. He was restored to the first eleven during the 2015/16 season and Jay rewarded that loyalty with the most productive season of his career, netting 27 goals as Orient fell just short of the League Two play-off places. Simpson suffered injuries at the start of the 2016/17 season as the O’s hurtled towards the foot of the League Two table, he left the club in January 2017 having scored 40 goals in 99 senior appearances.
In January 2017 Jay joined MLS side Philedelphia Union but he was rarely able to win a place in the first eleven and left the club in November 2018 having scored four goals in 34 appearances, 27 of which were made as substitute. In February 2019 Jay rejoined Leyton Orient, now in the Conference National league, and scored one goal in 7 appearances as the O’s made an immediate return to the Football League. In June 2019 he signed a one year deal for Cypriot league side Nea Salamina where he scored two goals in 24 appearances. After nearly two and a half years without a club Jay joined National League South side Welling United in November 2022 – he made two appearances before leaving a month later when it became apparent that international clearance to play had not been secured – as a result Welling were deducted one point.
During the 2021/22 season Simpson worked as an academy mentor at Tottenham Hotspur. In March 2023 he was appointed to a similar role at Premier League side Chelsea. working on the pastoral development of the Blues’ academy players.
In August 2004 Simpson was selected for the England Under-17 squad and made three appearances that month against Sweden, Denmark and Norway. In April 2006 he played his only game for England Under-18s against Slovenia.
Details
Nationality: England
Date/Place of Birth: 1 December 1988, Enfield
Hull City First Game: 21 August 2010, Watford H (Championship), 21 years, 263 days old
Hull City Final Game: 4 May 2013, Cardiff City H (Championship), 24 years, 154 days old
Clubs
Arsenal (2004-2010), Millwall (2007-2008, loan), West Bromwich Albion (2009, loan), Queens Park Rangers (2009-2010, loan), Hull City (2010-2013), Millwall (2011-2012, loan), Buriram United (2013-2014), Leyton Orient (2014-2017), Philedelphia Union (2017-2018), Leyton Orient (2019), Nea Salamina (2019-2020), Welling United (2022)
Hull City Record
Career: 86 apps, 13 goals
Jay Simpson| Season | LGE App | LGE Gls | FAC App | FAC Gls | FLC App | FLC Gls | EUR App | EUR Gls | OTH App | OTH Gls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010/11 | 19 (13) | 6 | 1 (0) | 0 | 1 (0) | 0 | – | – | – | – |
| 2011/12 | 0 (3) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 1 (0) | 0 | – | – | – | – |
| 2012/13 | 27 (16) | 6 | 2 (1) | 0 | 1 (0) | 1 | – | – | – | – |