Steve Simonsen

 ( 1979 Births ) 

Simonsen did not get a chance to prove himself again until the 2001–02 season, when he made 25 league starts for Everton and finally became a regular first team player. Following the appointment of new manager David Moyes, however, Simonsen rarely got a chance to play for Everton again, making only three league starts during his last two seasons. Simonsen later rejected a one-year contract extension and was thus released by the club in May 2004. After his release, Simonsen was linked with the recent-relegated side Leeds United.

In July 2007, Simonsen signed a new contract with Stoke keeping him at the club until June 2010. On the first day of the following season he saved a Steven MacLean penalty in a 1–0 win over Cardiff City. He went on to play an important part in Stoke's promotion to the Premier League, although he lost his place in the side towards the end of the campaign, when Carlo Nash was brought in on an emergency loan from Wigan Athletic. Thomas Sørensen was then signed at the start of the 2008–09 season, so Simonsen played second fiddle to the Danish international throughout the year. He played only when Sørensen was injured, which amounted to just five appearances. The 2009–10 season started in the same manner for Simonsen until an injury to Sørensen at home to Chelsea meant that Simonsen made his first appearance of the season.

With their first choice keeper Paddy Kenny suspended and previous loanee goalkeeper Mark Bunn being recalled to Blackburn Rovers, Simonsen signed a one-month loan deal with Sheffield United in March 2010. He made his début the following day against Doncaster Rovers, conceding an early goal in a match that finished 1–1. Simonsen made seven starts for the Blades before returning to Stoke at the end of his loan period.

With his contract expiring, Simonsen left Stoke in July of that year on a free transfer after spending six years at City and making almost 200 appearances in total.

With the club needing to cut the wage bill, Simonsen was released a few days later when his contract expired. Simonsen previously stated he wanted a new contract to stay at the club.

Simonsen was the back-up goalkeeper to Cammy Bell until making his debut for Rangers on 20 January against Forfar, where he won praise for an outstanding reflex save during a 2–0 win for Rangers. Simonsen's only other first team appearance that season for Rangers was in their Scottish Cup semi-final tie against Dundee United, where Simonsen's misplaced kick-out led directly to Dundee United's third goal in a 3–1 defeat for the Ibrox club. After the match, Manager Ally McCoist said he has no sympathy to Simonsen following criticism was directly made to him. Simonsen later described this as "cruel moment". Despite on 3 May, Rangers players made history by becoming the first Rangers side in 115 years to go an entire league season unbeaten after a 1–1 draw with Dunfermline during which they clinched the Scottish League One championship. Following the end of the season, he was part of a young Rangers squad that featured in the HKFC International Soccer Sevens held in May.

Simonsen was due to leave Rangers at the end of the 2013–14 season, however he re-signed in July 2014 for the following campaign. He made his first start of the 2014–15 season in an 8–1 victory at Ibrox against Clyde in the Scottish Challenge Cup. Simonsen became a second goalkeeper for the club following Bell's injury and went on to make thirty-three appearances in all competitions, including being in goal when Rangers faced Old Firm's Celtic for the first time in three years in the Scottish League Cup semi-final, which Rangers lost 2–0. His second season at Rangers was proven to be controversial when he charged for betting. Simonsen received a two-match ban, though one man was suspended. There were criticism to Simonsen's suspension made by SFA, as it was too lightly and too lenient. As a result, SFA was considering to extending Simonsen's suspension, an action was criticised by PFA Scotland. The SFA's attempts to extend Simonsen's suspension was rejected.

As a result of ban, Simonsen feared that the betting incident could see his future ruined. Eventually, Simonsen was released by Rangers at the end of the season, along with several other players, after the club failed to gain promotion to the Scottish Premiership.