{{Short description|Bermudian footballer (born 1996)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Rai Simons | image = RaiSimons22.jpg | caption = Simons playing for Chesterfield in 2016 | fullname = Rai Quinton Arthur Simons<ref name="Retained List 2015-16">{{cite web|title=Retained List 2015–16|url=http://www.efl.com/documents/professional-retained-report-2015-16549-3151378.pdf|publisher=English Football League|accessdate=26 June 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202052144/http://www.efl.com/documents/professional-retained-report-2015-16549-3151378.pdf|archivedate=2 December 2016}}</ref> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1996|1|11}} | birth_place = Hamilton, Bermuda | height = 1.82 m | position = Striker | currentclub = | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = North Village Rams | youthyears2 = | youthclubs2 = Newcastle Town | youthyears3 = | youthclubs3 = Ilkeston FC | years1 = 2013 | clubs1 = Newcastle Town | caps1 = | goals1 = | years2 = 2013–2015 | clubs2 = Ilkeston | caps2 = 22 | goals2 = 1 | years3 = 2015–2017 | clubs3 = Chesterfield | caps3 = 39 | goals3 = 4 | years4 = 2018– | clubs4 = North Village Rams | caps4 = | goals4 = | nationalyears1 = 20??–20?? | nationalteam1 = Bermuda U17 | nationalcaps1 = | nationalgoals1 = | nationalyears2 = 2013 | nationalteam2 = English Colleges U17 | nationalcaps2 = | nationalgoals2 = | nationalyears3 = 201?–201? | nationalteam3 = Bermuda U20 | nationalcaps3 = | nationalgoals3 = | nationalyears4 = 2013– | nationalteam4 = Bermuda | nationalcaps4 = 6 | nationalgoals4 = 1 | club-update = 21:17, 27 December 2016 (UTC) | nationalteam-update = 23:00, 5 June 2016 (UTC) | medaltemplates = {{medalSport|Men's football}} {{Medal|Country|{{fb|Bermuda}}}} {{MedalComp|Island Games}} {{Medal|W|2013 Bermudas|}} }}
'''Rai Quinton Arthur Simons''' (born 11 January 1996) is a Bermudian professional footballer who plays as a striker. He has been capped six times, and scored one goal for the Bermuda national team in FIFA recognised matches. He was joint-top goal scorer at the 2013 Island Games Men's Football Tournament with three goals.
==Club career== Simons started his career at North Village Rams as a youth player.<ref name="IFC3" /> At the age 15, Simons had trials and spent a week training with Premier League club West Ham United,<ref name="IFC3" /> before he eventually signed for Newcastle Town.<ref name="rg4">{{cite web |last=Trott |first=Lawrence |date=24 April 2015 |title=Football comes first for Simons family |url=http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20150424/SPORT01/150429837 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924133901/https://www.royalgazette.com/article/20150424/SPORT01/150429837 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |accessdate=3 September 2015 |work=The Royal Gazette}}</ref> He was part of the Newcastle Town under-18 team that won the Sentinel Cup in a record 8–1 win over Alsager Town at the Britannia Stadium, scoring with an "unstoppable shot" having replaced Callum Kenny in the 57th minute as a substitute.<ref name="Sent">{{cite web | title = Newcastle Town the Sentinel goal kings | url = http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Sentinel-football-Newcastle-Town-Sentinel-goal/story-19013730-detail/story.html | publisher = Stoke Sentinel | date = 17 May 2013 | accessdate = 3 September 2015 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
He went on to join English Northern Premier League club Ilkeston in summer 2013,<ref name="fullcontact profile">{{cite web |title=Rai Simons |url=http://fullcontactlaw.co.uk/player/rai-simons/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708061501/http://fullcontactlaw.co.uk/player/rai-simons/ |archive-date=8 July 2016 |accessdate=3 September 2015 |publisher=Full Contact}}</ref> signing a two-year contract with the club.<ref name="bernews1">{{cite news | title = Rai Simons Signs 2 Year Deal With Ilkeston FC | url = http://bernews.com/2013/08/rai-simons-signs-for-2-years-with-ilkeston-fc/ | work = Bernews | date = 25 August 2013 | accessdate = 3 September 2015 }}</ref> During his time at Ilkeston, Simons played for both the academy and first team sides, before attracting interest from a number of Football League clubs.<ref name="rg1">{{cite web | title = Opportunity knocks for Ilkeston striker Simons | url = http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20140522/SPORT01/140529918 | work = The Royal Gazette | first = Stephen | last = Wright | date = 22 May 2014 | accessdate = 3 September 2015 }}</ref> He was a key member of the Ilkeston team which reached the Northern Premier League Premier Division play-off final in the 2014–15 season.<ref name="IFC1">{{cite web |date=9 April 2015 |title=Simons signs for Spireites |url=http://www.ilkestonfc.co.uk/news/simons-signs-for-spireites |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924033654/http://www.ilkestonfc.co.uk/news/simons-signs-for-spireites |archive-date=24 September 2015 |accessdate=3 September 2015 |publisher=Ilkeston F.C.}}</ref>
In April 2015, it was announced that Simons had joined League One club Chesterfield.<ref name="IFC1" /><ref name="IlkAd">{{cite web | title = Robins' Rai seals Chesterfield move | url = http://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/local-sport/robins-rai-seals-chesterfield-move-1-7199719| work = Ilkeston Advertiser | date = 8 April 2015 | accessdate = 3 September 2015 }}</ref><ref name="bernews2">{{cite news | title = Rai Simons Signs With Chesterfield FC | url = http://bernews.com/2015/04/rai-simons-signs-with-chesterfield-fc/| work = Bernews | date = 8 April 2015 | accessdate = 3 September 2015 }}</ref> He scored his first Chesterfield goal in a pre-season friendly against his former club Ilkeston, which had been arranged as part of the transfer deal.<ref name="fullcontact profile" /> Simons made his professional debut on 26 September 2015 as a 66th-minute substitute in Chesterfield's 2–1 home defeat to Burton Albion.<ref name="RS15" /> He scored his first professional goal on 10 October in Chesterfield's 3–1 home defeat to Gillingham.<ref name="RS15" />
==International career== Simons played for Bermuda under-17's in their unsuccessful 2013 CONCACAF U-17 Championship qualifying campaign in July 2012.<ref name="soccerway">{{cite web | title = Bermuda – R. Simons | url = https://int.soccerway.com/players/rai-simons/250631/ | publisher = Soccerway | accessdate = 3 September 2015 }}</ref>
Whilst studying as a student at Newcastle-under-Lyme College, Simons was selected to represent the English Colleges under-17's in January 2013 at the Caput Mundi Tournament in Italy.<ref name="EC U17">{{cite web | title = English Colleges U17s National Team travel to Italy | url = http://ecfa.org.uk/news/jan-feb-13/english-colleges-u17s-national-team-travel-to-italy.aspx | publisher = English Colleges Football Association | date = 17 January 2013 | accessdate = 3 September 2015 | archive-date = 7 March 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160307153611/http://ecfa.org.uk/news/jan-feb-13/english-colleges-u17s-national-team-travel-to-italy.aspx | url-status = dead }}</ref>
Simons went on to represent Bermuda, the only FIFA affiliated side at the 2013 Island Games. Bermuda went on to win men's football tournament, with a 1–0 win over Greenland on 15 July 2013 at Bermuda National Stadium, Hamilton.<ref name="IG1">{{cite web | title = Football: Men's Football | url = http://www.natwestislandgames2013results.com/Sports/SOCCER/default.aspx?SportID=28&EventID=139 | publisher = NatWest Island Games | date = 15 July 2013 | accessdate = 3 September 2015 }}</ref> Simons scored three goals during the competition, leaving him as joint-top goal scorer along with five other players.<ref name="IG2">{{cite web | title = Football Statistics | url = http://www.natwestislandgames2013results.com/Sports/SOCCER/stats.aspx?EventID=139 | publisher = NatWest Island Games | accessdate = 3 September 2015 }}</ref>
In April 2015, he was then called up to the Bermuda under-20's squad for their 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship qualifying campaign.<ref name="bernews2"/> He scored a hat-trick in the group match against Guadeloupe under-20's on 24 June 2014 at Estadio Panamericano, San Cristóbal.<ref name="IFC2">{{cite web | title = Simons hits three in World Cup Qualifier | url = http://www.ilkestonfc.co.uk/news/simons-hits-three-in-world-cup-qualifier| publisher = Ilkeston F.C. | date = 27 June 2014 | accessdate = 3 September 2015 }}</ref><ref name="rg2">{{cite web | title = Bermuda survive scare as Simons hits hat-trick | url = http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20140625/SPORT01/140629806&source=RSS | work = The Royal Gazette | first = Stephen | last = Wright | date = 25 June 2014 | accessdate = 3 September 2015 }}</ref>
Simons was called up and made his full international debut for Bermuda against Grenada, in a FIFA sanctioned match, on 7 March 2015 in a friendly.<ref name="rg3">{{cite web | title = Bean out of Grenada games | url = http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20150305/SPORT01/150309850 | work = The Royal Gazette | first = Lawrence | last = Trott | date = 5 March 2015 | accessdate = 3 September 2015 }}</ref> The match finished 2–2, with Simons scoring on his debut before being substituted in the 81st minute for Antwan Russell.<ref name="soccerway" /><ref name="Ber 2-2 Gre">{{cite web | title = Bermuda vs. Grenada 2–2 | url = https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/03/07/world/friendlies/bermuda/grenada/2013981/ | publisher = Soccerway | accessdate = 3 September 2015 }}</ref> Following his success in two friendlies against Grenada, Simons was called up again to face the Bahamas in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification first round matches.<ref name="IFC3">{{cite web |date=9 March 2015 |title=Simons selected for World Cup Qualifier |url=http://www.ilkestonfc.co.uk/news/simons-selected-for-world-cup-qualifier |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924033651/http://www.ilkestonfc.co.uk/news/simons-selected-for-world-cup-qualifier |archive-date=24 September 2015 |accessdate=3 September 2015 |publisher=Ilkeston F.C.}}</ref> He played in both matches, with Bermuda winning 8–0 on aggregate.<ref name="soccerway" />
==Personal life== Simons moved to England when he was 15 and stayed with his cousin, Dale Eve and sister, Taylor in Stoke-on-Trent where he attended school.<ref name="rg4" /> His mother is Karen Simons and his father, Arthur Simons was also a footballer who played as a left-back for North Village Rams.<ref name="rg4" />
==Career statistics== ===Club=== {{updated|match played 17 April 2017}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- | rowspan="3" |Ilkeston |2013–14<ref>{{Cite web |title=2013/14 |url=http://ilsonfootball.co.uk/index.php?p=1_282_2013-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302135206/http://ilsonfootball.co.uk/index.php?p=1_282_2013-14 |archive-date=2 March 2016 |website=www.ilsonfootball.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=http://ilsonfootball.co.uk/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221044310/http://ilsonfootball.co.uk/ |archive-date=21 February 2016 |website=www.ilsonfootball.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Duffy |first=Mark |date=30 April 2014 |title=Report/slideshow - DSC Final: Ilkeston FC 2-0 Glossop NE |work=Ilkeston Advertiser |url=http://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/report-slideshow-dsc-final-ilkeston-fc-2-0-glossop-ne-1-6587692 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707224459/http://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/report-slideshow-dsc-final-ilkeston-fc-2-0-glossop-ne-1-6587692 |archive-date=7 July 2019}}</ref> |Northern Premier League Premier Division |7 |0 |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— |2{{efn|Appearance(s) in Derbyshire Senior Cup}} |0 |10 |0 |- |2014–15<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=15 August 2015 |title=The Evo-Stik Statistics |magazine=Ilkeston FC Official Matchday Magazine |issue=6 |pages=23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2014/15 |url=http://ilsonfootball.co.uk/index.php?p=1_283_2014-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302142544/http://ilsonfootball.co.uk/index.php?p=1_283_2014-15 |archive-date=2 March 2016 |website=www.ilsonfootball.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 February 2015 |title=Ilkeston FC on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/ilkestontown_fc/status/565227202485420033 |access-date=24 August 2022 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref> |Northern Premier League Premier Division |15 |1 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |7{{efn|Four appearances in Northern Premier League Challenge Cup; three appearances three goals in Derbyshire Senior Cup}} |3 |22 |4 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !22 !1 !1 !0 ! colspan="2" |— !9 !3 !32 !4 |- | rowspan="3" |Chesterfield |2015–16<ref name="RS15">{{soccerbase season|86911|2015|accessdate=13 July 2017}}</ref> |League One |20||4||1||1||0||0||1{{efn|name=FLT|Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy}}||0||22||5 |- |2016–17<ref name="RS16">{{soccerbase season|86911|2016|accessdate=13 July 2017}}</ref> |League One |19||0||0||0||1||0||4{{efn|name=FLT}}||0||24||0 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !39 !4 !1 !1 !1 !0 !5 !0 !46 !5 |- ! colspan="3" |Career total !61!!5!!2!!1!!1!!0!!14!!3!!78!!9 |}
{{notelist}}
===International=== :''Scores and results list Bermuda's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Simons goal.''
{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ List of international goals scored by Rai Simons |- !scope="col"|No. !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition |- | style="text-align:center"|1 || 6 March 2015 || National Sports Centre, Hamilton, Bermuda || {{fb|Grenada}} || style="text-align:center"|1–1 || style="text-align:center"|2–2 || Friendly |}
==Honours== '''Bermuda''' *Island Games: 2013<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.natwestislandgames2013results.com/files/Football.pdf|title=Football matches at 2013 Island Games|access-date=April 23, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bermudasun.bm/news/2013/jul/10/football-squad-named-for-island-games/|title=Football squad named for Island Games |access-date=April 23, 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
==External links== *{{Soccerbase}} *{{NFT player|pid=55211}} *[http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/team/player-profile/rai-simons Chesterfield profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824213042/http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/team/player-profile/rai-simons |date=24 August 2015 }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Simons, Rai}} Category:1996 births Category:Living people Category:People from Hamilton Parish Category:Men's association football forwards Category:Bermudian men's footballers Category:Bermuda men's international footballers Category:Newcastle Town F.C. players Category:Ilkeston F.C. players Category:Chesterfield F.C. players Category:North Village Rams players Category:Bermudian expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England Category:English Football League players Category:21st-century British sportsmen