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Liversedge confirm signing of another former Football League player

Liversedge confirm the signing of another former Football League player, Simon Heslop, joining Ross McCormack at the ambitious club.

The Northern Premier League Division One East outfit tweeted on Saturday: “We are delighted to announce Simon Heslop has joined Liversegde FC ✍🏻

“Simon will bring bags of experience to Sedge playing over 450 games! Welcome Simon 👏🏻🙌🏻”

The 36 year old comes into the club having left National League North club Scarborough Athletic.

He started his career at Barnsley, signing his first professional deal with the club in 2005, but made just one first-team appearance during his six-year association with the club.

During his time at Barnsley, Heslop also had loan spells, one to Conference National club Kidderminster Harriers during the 2005–06 season, and spent the following season on loan with Tamworth.

He then spent time on loan with Northwich Victoria and Halifax Town during 2007–08, before having further loan spells at Grimsby Town, Kettering Town and Luton Town.

He was released by Barnsley in May 2010, and signed for League Two club Oxford United shortly after. Heslop made over 100 appearances for the U’s in his three-year stay there.

He was released at the end of 2012–13, and subsequently signed for League One club Stevenage on a free transfer in May 2013.

In August 2015, Heslop joined Torquay United, before moving to Wrexham in January 2016.

He signed for his hometown club York City, who had been newly relegated into the National League, on the 20th of June 2016 on a two-year contract, and captained them as they beat Macclesfield Town 3–2 at Wembley Stadium in the 2017 FA Trophy Final on the 21st of May.

Heslop requested a transfer in early November 2017, with manager Martin Gray dropping him from the team as a result, going on to joined National League club Eastleigh in November 2017 on a one-month loan.

He made his debut two days later, making five appearances and scored one goal for Eastleigh, with the club opting to not extend his loan.

York manager Martin Gray reiterated that Heslop would not be considered for selection upon his return to the Minstermen.

He was ruled out for the rest of the 2018–19 season in February 2019, with a knee injury that required a second operation and was not offered a new contract at the end of the season but was invited to return for pre-season training.

Heslop has since played for the likes of Boston United, Blyth Spartans and Scarborough Athletic.

A statement (July 2023) read: “Scarborough Athletic FC can confirm that Simon Heslop has departed the club.

“Hessy, who has been the experienced head on and off the field over the past two seasons has been offered terms at a Northern Premier League side.

“Hessy, who helped Boro to promotion to the National League and two North Riding Senior Cup wins during his time with the club, since joining as one of Jono Greening’s first signings.

“Hessy leaves the club, with whom he has been training with over recent weeks during pre-season, on the best terms and we wish him the very best with his new club.

“Thank you for your contribution to the club on and off the pitch for the past two seasons, Hessy.”

HESLOP’S CAREER:

Youth
–2004 – Barnsley

Senior
2004–2010 – Barnsley – 1 game (0 goals)
2005–2006 → Kidderminster Harriers (loan) – 27 games (2 goals)
2006–2007 → Tamworth (loan) – 33 games (2 goals)
2007 → Northwich Victoria (loan) – 6 games (0 goals)
2007–2008 → Halifax Town (loan) – 40 games (7 goals)
2008 → Grimsby Town (loan) – 11 games (0 goals)
2009 → Kettering Town (loan) – 12 games (0 goals)
2010 → Luton Town (loan) – 13 games (1 goal)
2010–2013 – Oxford United – 102 games (9 goals)
2013–2014 – Stevenage – 35 games (1 goal)
2014–2015 – Mansfield Town – 30 games (2 goals)
2015–2016 – Torquay United – 23 games (0 goals)
2016 – Wrexham – 20 games (3 goals)
2016–2019 – York City – 97 games (10 goals)
2017 → Eastleigh (loan) – 5 games (1 goal)
2020 – Boston United – 4 games (0 goals)
2020–2021 – Blyth Spartans
2021–2023 – Scarborough Athletic
2023- Liversedge

Here’s what Twitter users said as Liversedge confirm the signing of another former Football League player in Simon Heslop…

@OllyWhiteley13: Good luck Hessie was awesome for the boro

@AndrewSlaughte1: Happy to see Hessy has got a new club! Great player for Boro. Hope both player and club have a good season.

@OllyParker11: What a guy all the best Hez ❤️

@_TommyBrown_: All the best Hessy 🫶🏽🫶🏽

@jamiecr05489374: Gutted. He would have been top of my list out of the ‘trialists’ to sign. Yes he’s getting on, but still a very experienced head in there. Atleast he will be getting regular game time now in what will probably be his final season. All the best hessy.

@dbr66_: Simon has been a brilliant person on and off the pitch . Sincerely wish him the best and will watch his future. Can see a great managerial or coaching future for him. Thanks Hessy !!! UTB

@seadogsimi69: All the best Hessy ☺️

@twh1: Was this a budget constraint? Invaluable squad player, know what you get ever time he plays. Can’t (up to) 1000 members contribute to the playing budget? Seems to be so many precedents in our league.

@joshfotherz90: I would say it’s more of a game time issue for hessy, he may only come on at Boro for 20/30 mins a game. He might want to be playing more than that

@fletch138: Shame, always thought we were a better team with him in it. All the best Hessy. Glad he’s getting another season in though and not hanging up the boots just yet

@seadogsimi69: Good luck Hessy once a seadog always a seadog ❤️

@Curso113: All the best Hessy 👊🏻

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