Premier League title winner Danny Simpson comes out of retirement aged 39 to play for 12th tier club Stretford Paddock FC.
He started in this weekend’s game Cheshire Association Football League One fixture against Cheadle Heath Nomads Reserves, helping play a part in his side’s 5-3 victory at Project Solar Stadium.
On Saturday, just before kick off, Stretford Paddock FC tweeted: “Honoured to have a Premier League winner putting on the shirt today.
“Great to welcome Danny Simpson to Stretford Paddock FC ⚽ @StretfordPaddck @MrStephenHowson”
Honoured to have a Premier League winner putting on the shirt today.
Great to welcome Danny Simpson to Stretford Paddock FC ⚽@StretfordPaddck @MrStephenHowson pic.twitter.com/wbyiZXb3ao
— Stretford Paddock FC (@SPaddockFC) March 14, 2026
Spot the Premier League winner…🏆👀#UPTHEPADDOCK pic.twitter.com/vuQ90oahnR
— Stretford Paddock FC (@SPaddockFC) March 14, 2026
DANNY SIMPSON’S CAREER:
Youth career
–2003 – Parkwyddn JFC
2003–2006 – Manchester United
Senior career
2006–2010 – Manchester United – 8 games (0 goals)
2006 → Royal Antwerp (loan) – 30 games (1 goal)
2007 → Sunderland (loan) – 14 games (0 goals)
2008 → Ipswich Town (loan) – 8 games (0 goals)
2008–2009 → Blackburn Rovers (loan) – 20 games (0 goals)
2009–2013 – Newcastle United – 138 games (2 goals)
2013–2014 – Queens Park Rangers – 44 games (1 goal)
2014–2019 – Leicester City – 133 games (0 goals)
2018–2019 – Leicester City U23 – 133 games (0 goals)
2019–2020 – Huddersfield Town – 25 games (0 goals)
2021–2022 – Bristol City – 8 games (0 goals)
2023–2024 – Macclesfield
Honours
Sunderland
Football League Championship: 2006–07
Newcastle United
Football League Championship: 2009–10
Queens Park Rangers
Football League Championship play-offs: 2014
Leicester City
Premier League: 2015–16
Danny said in his 2025 message “Where do I start I can’t lie it’s not been easy. I still miss playing football every single day and I’m trying my best to shake it but I am trying, still smiling and always going to give my best.
“I’ve done some amazing tv shows, travelled the world, played football for all different amazing charities and working in football with @gsw_football as a player liaison.
“Personally I’ve been to university and passed a Sports Psychology degree
“I’ve been a part of setting up a football academy in Dubai @ifgphoenixcity.uae
“And I’ve opened up a bar/restaurant in my hometown Manchester @sdkmanchester
“Other than trying fill to the void of not playing football anymore I know I am not perfect but I’m working hard every day on being a better person, a better communicator, a better friend, an even better Dad. Ultimately 2026 I want to keep growing, learning and smiling 😀”
His 2024 saw him spend time with his daughter, headlining his first boxing fight in Dublin on @misfitsboxing in front of 13,000 people, he also passed his Uefa B coaching badge and went university for a postgraduate degree in Sports Psychology, Emotional Intelligence and Leadership.
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He announced his retirement in the summer of 2024, saying on social media: “It’s the day that every footballer knows will come around eventually and the one nobody wants to happen but it’s time to announce my retirement from the game we all love so much.
“Whilst it is a day I never wanted to come and it’s been a while since I played, I know it is time to hang up my boots and concentrate on other projects.
“I have so much to be grateful for, football has given me so much and I need to say thank you to so many people. My friends, my team-mates and my family who all had to put up with me. Thank you.
“From kicking a ball as a toddler in Salford and then playing for my first grassroots team in Eccles – Parkwyddn Juniors – all I ever wanted to do was play football.
“Being picked up by Manchester United was a dream come true for me. My local team, the club everyone in Salford loves, it meant everything to me and my family.
“The hairs still stick up on the back on my neck when I think about my Old Trafford debut. Playing alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney – it was beyond my wildest dreams.
“When I look back at my career, the obvious highlight will be that unforgettable time with Leicester City when we achieved what almost everyone felt was impossible. 5000-1 odds and we did it.
“Winning the 2016 Premier League was everything. The camaraderie that still exists with that team will be with us forever. Vichai built something very special at Leicester and to be on that journey and bring Champions League football to the city was special.
“There are too many people to thank individually. I have been blessed to play for some fantastic football clubs and managers and achieve some great success. Yes there have been bad times but these are far outweighed by the good.
“To all my managers, coaches, backroom staff, medical staff, the receptionists, security, coach drivers, there are so many people working hard at every club, I can’t say thank you enough.
“Playing any minutes of professional football was the target as a teenage kid. To play more than 400 games, win trophies and make friends for life, I daren’t have wished for more.
“Finally, as the great sir matt busby said, football without fans is nothing. So to all the fans of all the clubs I’ve pulled on the shirt for thank you for supporting me. We had good days and bad days but knowing you had our backs meant everything.
“I’m now finally looking forward to what the future holds. Thank you and see you soon.”
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