{{Short description|English footballer (born 1994)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}} {{Use British English|date=December 2019}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Ross Fitzsimons | image = | caption = | fullname = Ross Alan Richard Frank Fitzsimons | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|5|28|df=y}} | birth_place = Hammersmith, England | height = 190cm | position = Goalkeeper | currentclub = Northampton Town | clubnumber = 34 | youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2011 | youthclubs1 = Crystal Palace | years1 = 2011–2014 | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0 | clubs1 = Crystal Palace | years2 = 2013 | caps2 = | goals2 = | clubs2 = → Harrow Borough (loan) | years3 = 2013–2014 | caps3 = 8 | goals3 = 0 | clubs3 = → Hendon (loan) | years4 = 2013 | caps4 = 4 | goals4 = 0 | clubs4 = → Havant & Waterlooville (loan) | years5 = 2014 | caps5 = 10 | goals5 = 0 | clubs5 = → Farnborough (loan) | years6 = 2014–2016 | caps6 = 0 | goals6 = 0 | clubs6 = Bolton Wanderers | years7 = 2015–2016 | caps7 = 8 | goals7 = 0 | clubs7 = → Bishop's Stortford (loan) | years8 = 2016 | caps8 = 1 | goals8 = 0 | clubs8 = Braintree Town | years9 = 2016–2017 | caps9 = 40 | goals9 = 0 | clubs9 = Chelmsford City | years10 = 2017–2020 | caps10 = 49 | goals10 = 0 | clubs10 = Notts County | years11 = 2020 | caps11 = 1 | goals11 = 0 | clubs11 = → Chesterfield (loan) | years12 = 2020–2021 | caps12 = 13 | goals12 = 0 | clubs12 = Boston United | years13 = 2021 | caps13 = 0 | goals13 = 0 | clubs13 = Stockport County | years14 = 2021–2022 | caps14 = 43 | goals14 = 0 | clubs14 = Weymouth | years15 = 2022 | caps15 = 0 | goals15 = 0 | clubs15 = St Joseph's | years16 = 2022–2023 | caps16 = 33 | goals16 = 0 | clubs16 = Chesterfield | years17 = 2023–2025 | caps17 = 91 | goals17 = 0 | clubs17 = Scunthorpe United | years18 = 2025– | caps18 = 22 | goals18 = 0 | clubs18 = Northampton Town | club-update = 21:05, 14 February 2026 (UTC) }} '''Ross Alan Richard Frank Fitzsimons''' (born 28 May 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for {{English football updater|NorthamT}} side Northampton Town.
==Playing career== ===Early career=== Fitzsimons began his career at Crystal Palace. On 17 January 2013, he joined Isthmian League Premier side Harrow Borough on an initial one-month loan to replace the departed Elvijs Putnins.<ref>{{cite news|title=On-loan Crystal Palace starlet ready to rough it at Boro|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/other-sport/on-loan-crystal-palace-starlet-ready-5970405|accessdate=26 August 2017|work=getwestlondon|date=17 January 2013}}</ref> He returned to the Isthmian League Premier on a one-month loan at Hendon in December 2013.<ref name="hendon"/> He made his debut in a 6–0 win at Cray Wanderers on 17 December.<ref>{{cite web|title=Greensnet – Official Hendon FC: Match Report|url=http://www.hendonfc.net/Reports?id=5389|website=www.hendonfc.net|accessdate=26 August 2017|language=en}}</ref> He went on to play a total of eight league games and one cup game for the "Greens".<ref name="hendon"/>
On 10 September 2013, he joined Conference South club Havant & Waterlooville on a one-month loan to provide cover for the injured Scott Bevan.<ref>{{cite web|title=hawks.net : Ross Fitzsimons player profile|url=http://www.havantandwaterlooville.net/stats/player.asp?p=381|website=www.havantandwaterlooville.net|accessdate=26 August 2017}}</ref> He made his debut the "Hawks" he following day in a 2–1 win over Farnborough at West Leigh Park.<ref>{{cite web|title=Havant & Waterlooville 2 – 1 Farnborough|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/09/11/england/conference-n--s/havant-and-waterlooville-fc/farnborough-fc/1508882/|website=Soccerway|accessdate=26 August 2017}}</ref> He made three further appearances for the club before returning to Selhurst Park.<ref name="soccerway"/> On 20 March 2014, he joined Farnborough on a one-month loan, and made his debut two days later in a 3–1 victory at Bishop's Stortford.<ref>{{cite news|title=Palace's Fitzsimons loaned to Boro {{!}} Farnborough Football Club|url=http://www.farnboroughfc.co.uk/2014/palaces-fitzsimons-loaned-to-boro/|accessdate=26 August 2017|work=www.farnboroughfc.co.uk|date=22 March 2014|language=en}}</ref> He played a total of ten games for the "Yellows" before returning to the "Eagles".<ref name="soccerway"/> He was released by Crystal Palace in May 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=Crystal Palace: Gabbidon, Moxey & Parr among 12 players released|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27602328|accessdate=26 August 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=28 May 2014}}</ref>
On 1 July 2014, Fitzsimons signed a two-year contract with Championship club Bolton Wanderers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bolton to sign Ross Fitzsimons|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2014/june/bolton-to-sign-ross-fitzsimons/|accessdate=26 August 2017|work=bwfc.co.uk|date=12 June 2014|language=en-gb}}</ref> On 16 December 2015, he joined National League South club Bishop's Stortford on a one-month loan.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Whitney|first1=Steve|title=Blues Borrow Bolton Keeper – The Vanarama National League|url=http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/blues-borrow-bolton-keeper-28226|accessdate=26 August 2017|work=www.thenationalleague.org.uk|language=en}}</ref> The loan was later extended into a second month, and he made a total of eight appearances for the "Blues".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mann|first1=Chris|title=Bishop's Stortford Extend Ross Fitzsimons Loan|url=https://www.burndenaces.co.uk/2016/01/17/bishops-stortford-extend-ross-fitzsimons-loan.html|accessdate=26 August 2017|work=Burnden Aces|date=17 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="soccerway"/> He was released by the "Trotters" in May 2016.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bolton Wanderers confirm player departures|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2016/may/bolton-wanderers-confirm-player-departures/|accessdate=26 August 2017|work=bwfc.co.uk|date=13 May 2016|language=en-gb}}</ref>
On 16 August 2016, he joined National League club Braintree Town on a short-term deal to stand in for the suspended Jamie Butler.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ross Fitzsimons: Braintree Town sign ex-Bolton goalkeeper|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37098714|accessdate=26 August 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=16 August 2016}}</ref> He made his debut for the "Iron" later that day in a 2–1 defeat at Maidstone United.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tucker|first1=Craig|title=Taylor at the double|url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/sport/maidstone-v-braintree-100863/|accessdate=26 August 2017|work=Kent Online|date=17 August 2016}}</ref> He joined Chelmsford City on 25 August, and manager Rod Stringer released goalkeepers Joe Welch and Colan Balkwell in the week following Fitzsimons's arrival.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Harris|first1=Matt|title=Chelmsford City release keepers Welch and Balkwell|url=http://www.essexlive.news/chelmsford-city-release-welch-and-balkwell-after-signing-fitzsimons/story-29672622-detail/story.html|accessdate=26 August 2017|work=Essex Live|date=1 September 2016|language=en}}</ref> On 28 March 2017, he kept a clean sheet as Chelmsford beat East Thurrock United 1–0 in the final of the Essex Senior Cup.<ref name="esc">{{cite news|last1=Brown|first1=Richard|title=Chris Dickson is the hero as Clarets lift Essex Senior Cup|url=http://www.essexlive.news/chelmsford-city-1-0-east-thurrock-united-clarets-lift-essex-senior-cup/story-30234411-detail/story.html|accessdate=26 August 2017|work=Essex Live|date=28 March 2017|language=en}}</ref> He made a total of 40 league appearances for the "Clarets", helping the club to qualify for the play-offs with a fourth-place finish; the club reached the play-off final, but were beaten 2–1 by Ebbsfleet United at Stonebridge Road.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tervet|first1=Steve|title=10-man Fleet clinch promotion|url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/sport/play-off-final-125609/|accessdate=26 August 2017|work=Kent Online|date=13 May 2017}}</ref>
===Notts County=== On 27 July 2017, Fitzsimons signed with Notts County following a trial period.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ross Fitzsimons: Notts County sign goalkeeper|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40745084|accessdate=26 August 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=27 July 2017}}</ref> Manager Kevin Nolan said that he expected Fitzsimons to challenge Adam Collin for a first team place.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Curtis|first1=Leigh|title=Nolan believes Ross Fitzsimons can challenge for Notts County's number one spot|url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/kevin-nolan-believes-ross-fitzsimons-247683|accessdate=26 August 2017|work=Nottingham Post|date=27 July 2017}}</ref> Fitzsimons stated that he was looking forwards to working with goalkeeping coach Mark Crossley, who he said "has a very effective way of coaching".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Curtis|first1=Leigh|title=Notts County sign former Crystal Palace goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons|url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/notts-county-sign-former-crystal-247905|accessdate=26 August 2017|work=Nottingham Post|date=27 July 2017}}</ref> He made his debut on 8 August, in a 3–3 draw with Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park in the first round of the EFL Cup; County lost the resulting penalty shoot-out 6–5.<ref>{{cite news|title=Scunthorpe United 3–3 Notts County (6–5 pens)|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40785911|accessdate=26 August 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=8 August 2017}}</ref>
He was offered new contract by Notts County at the end of the 2017–18 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44216750|title=Notts County: Shola Ameobi and Alan Smith leave League Two club|date=22 May 2018|accessdate=24 May 2018|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref>
====Chesterfield (loan)==== On 16 January 2020, Fitzsimons joined Chesterfield on loan for the remainder or the 2019–20 season. He was recalled by Notts County on 24 January following an injury to Sam Slocombe.
===Boston United=== On 22 August 2020, Fitsimons joined National League North side Boston United on an initial one-year deal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonunited.co.uk/news/fitzsimons-bolsters-goalkeeping-options-2560655.html|title=FITZSIMONS BOLSTERS GOALKEEPING OPTIONS|website=www.bostonunited.co.uk|date=22 August 2020|accessdate=11 January 2021}}</ref> On 11 January 2021, Fitzsimons was awarded the National League North Player of the Month award for December 2020.<ref name="December POTM">{{cite web|url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/trio-celebrate-decembers-national-league-north-acc-64931|title=Trio Celebrate December's National League North Accolades|website=www.thenationalleague.org.uk|date=11 January 2021}}</ref>
===Stockport County=== On 26 March 2021, Fitzsimons joined National League side Stockport County on a short-term contract.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/county-sign-keeper-fitzsimons/ |title=County sign keeper Fitzsimons |publisher=Stockport County FC |date=26 March 2021 |accessdate=29 March 2021}}</ref>
===Weymouth=== On 12 July 2021, Fitzsimons joined Weymouth following the expiration of his Stockport contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uptheterras.co.uk/2021/07/12/welcome-ross-fitzsimons/|title=Welcome Ross Fitzsimons|website=uptheterras.co.uk|date=12 July 2021|accessdate=13 July 2021}}</ref>
===St Joseph's=== On 4 July 2022, it was revealed that Fitzsimons had moved to Gibraltar to join St Joseph's, with the goalkeeper being announced as part of their Europa Conference League squad to face Larne.<ref>[https://www.uefa.com/uefaconferenceleague/match/2034990--st-joseph-s-vs-larne/lineups/ St Joseph's - Larne | Squad Lists] UEFA.com. Retrieved 5 July 2022.</ref> He kept a clean sheet in both his first games as the Saints recorded an historic 1–0 aggregate victory over their Northern Irish opponents.
===Chesterfield=== In August 2022, Fitzsimons returned to England, joining National League side Chesterfield on a permanent basis following a short loan spell two years prior.<ref> {{cite web|url=https://chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/spireites-sign-experienced-keeper|title=Spireites sign experienced keeper|website=chesterfield-fc.co.uk|date=12 August 2022|accessdate=9 June 2025}}</ref> Following defeat in the 2023 play-off final, he departed the club at the end of the 2022–23 season.<ref> {{cite web|url=https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/chesterfield-announce-retained-list-after-missing-out-on-promotion-4153069|title=Chesterfield announce retained list after missing out on promotion|publisher=Derbyshire Times|last=Norcliffe|first=Liam|date=22 May 2023|accessdate=9 June 2025}}</ref>
===Scunthorpe United=== On 17 May 2023, Fitzsimons agreed to join recently relegated National League North side Scunthorpe United on a two-year deal.<ref> {{cite web|url=https://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/2023/may/goalkeeper-ross-fitzsimons-signs-ahead-of-next-season/|title=Goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons signs ahead of next season|website=www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk|date=17 May 2023|accessdate=9 June 2025}}</ref>
The 2024–25 season saw Fitzsimons named in the National League North Team of the Year having helped ''the Iron'' to promotion through the play-offs.<ref name="24/25 TOTS"> {{cite news |url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/national-league-north-team-of-the-season-announced-83655 |title=National League North Team Of The Season Announced |first=Sam |last=Elliott |website=Vanarama National League |date=23 May 2025 |access-date=23 May 2025}}</ref><ref name="2025 Promotion"> {{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c20n5zpyzk7t#Line-ups |title=Scunthorpe United 2–1 Chester FC: The Iron gain promotion to the National League |website=BBC Sport |date=18 May 2025 |access-date=19 May 2025}}</ref> He was offered a new contract following the conclusion of the season.<ref> {{cite web|url=https://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/2025/may/iron-retained-list-2024-25/|title=Iron retained list 2024-25|website=www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk|date=26 May 2025|accessdate=9 June 2025}}</ref>
===Northampton Town=== On 9 June 2025, Fitzsimons agreed to join League One side Northampton Town on a one-year deal.<ref> {{cite web|url=https://www.ntfc.co.uk/news/2025/june/09/ross-fitzsimons-becomes-fourth-new-arrival-of-the-summer/|title=ROSS FITZSIMONS BECOMES FOURTH NEW ARRIVAL OF THE SUMMER|website=www.ntfc.co.uk|date=9 June 2025|accessdate=9 June 2025}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{updated|match played 14 February 2026}}
{| 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="4"|Crystal Palace |2011–12<ref>{{Soccerbase season|id=63509|season=2011|accessdate=1 July 2017}}</ref> |Championship |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |2012–13<ref>{{Soccerbase season|id=63509|season=2012|accessdate=1 July 2017}}</ref> |Championship |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |2013–14<ref name="13/14">{{Soccerbase season|id=63509|season=2013|accessdate=1 July 2017}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0 |- |Hendon (loan) |2013–14<ref name="hendon">{{cite web|title=Greensnet – Official Hendon FC: Former Staff – Ross Fitzsimons|url=http://www.hendonfc.net/Squad?method=view&id=2191|website=www.hendonfc.net|accessdate=26 August 2017|language=en}}</ref> |Isthmian League Premier |8||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||1||0||9||0 |- |Havant & Waterlooville (loan) |2013–14<ref name="RFAU">{{cite web|title=Ross Fitzsimons |url=http://www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk/players/ross-fitzsimons |website=www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk |accessdate=3 January 2018}}</ref> |Conference South |4||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||6||0 |- |Farnborough (loan) |2013–14<ref name="soccerway">{{Soccerway|ross-fitzsimmons/222628|accessdate=3 January 2018}}</ref> |Conference South |10||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||10||0 |- |rowspan="3"|Bolton Wanderers |2014–15<ref>{{Soccerbase season|id=63509|season=2014|accessdate=1 July 2017}}</ref> |Championship |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |2015–16<ref>{{Soccerbase season|id=63509|season=2015|accessdate=1 July 2017}}</ref> |Championship |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0 |- |Bishop's Stortford (loan) |2015–16<ref name="soccerway"/> |National League South |8||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||8||0 |- |Braintree Town |2016–17<ref name="16/17">{{Soccerbase season|id=63509|season=2016|accessdate=1 July 2017}}</ref> |National League |1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||1||0 |- |Chelmsford City |2016–17<ref name="soccerway"/> |National League South |40||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||4{{efn|name=FAT|Appearances in the FA Trophy}}||0||44||0 |- |rowspan="4"|Notts County |2017–18<ref>{{Soccerbase season|id=63509|season=2017|accessdate=15 August 2018}}</ref> |League Two |17||0||3||0||1||0||0||0||21||0 |- |2018–19<ref>{{Soccerbase season|id=63509|season=2018|accessdate=22 March 2019}}</ref> |League Two |29||0||1||0||1||0||3{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearances in EFL Trophy}}||0||34||0 |- |2019–20<ref name="soccerway"/> |National League |3||0||0||0||0||0||1{{efn|name=FAT}}||0||4||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !49!!0!!4!!0!!2!!0!!4!!0!!59!!0 |- |Chesterfield (loan) |2019–20<ref name="soccerway"/> |National League |1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||1||0 |- |Boston United |2020–21<ref name="soccerway"/> |National League North |13||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=FAT}}||0||15||0 |- |Stockport County |2020–21<ref name="soccerway"/> |National League |0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||0||0 |- |Weymouth |2021–22<ref name="soccerway"/> |National League |43||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=FAT}}||0||47||0 |- |Chesterfield |2022–23<ref name="soccerway"/> |National League |33||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=NLPO|Appearances in National League Play-offs}}||0||38||0 |- |rowspan="3"|Scunthorpe United |2023–24<ref name="soccerway"/> |National League North |45||0||2||0||0||0||3{{efn|name=FAT}}{{efn|name=24NLNPO|1 Appearance in National League North Play-offs}}||0||50||0 |- |2024–25<ref name="soccerway"/> |National League North |46||0||0||0||0||0||2{{efn|name=25NLNPO|Appearances in National League North Play-offs}}||0||48||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !91!!0!!2!!0!!0!!0!!5!!0!!98!!0 |- |Northampton Town |2025–26<ref>{{Soccerbase season|id=63509|season=2025|accessdate=14 November 2025}}</ref> |League One |22||0||1||0||1||0||2{{efn|name=EFLT}}||0||26||0 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !323!!0!!14!!0!!3!!0!!19!!0!!362!!0 |}
{{notelist}}
==Honours== '''Chelmsford City''' *Essex Senior Cup: 2017<ref name="esc"/>
'''Scunthorpe United''' *National League North play-offs: 2025<ref name="2025 Promotion"/>
'''Individual''' *National League North Player of the Month: December 2020<ref name="December POTM"/> *National League North Team of the Season: 2024–25<ref name="24/25 TOTS"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Northampton Town F.C. squad}} {{2024–25 National League North Team of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fitzsimons, Ross}} Category:1994 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Category:People from Hammersmith Category:English men's footballers Category:Men's association football goalkeepers Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players Category:Harrow Borough F.C. players Category:Hendon F.C. players Category:Havant & Waterlooville F.C. players Category:Farnborough F.C. players Category:Bolton Wanderers F.C. players Category:Bishop's Stortford F.C. players Category:Braintree Town F.C. players Category:Chelmsford City F.C. players Category:Notts County F.C. players Category:Chesterfield F.C. players Category:Boston United F.C. players Category:Stockport County F.C. players Category:Weymouth F.C. players Category:St Joseph's F.C. players Category:Scunthorpe United F.C. players Category:Northampton Town F.C. players Category:Isthmian League players Category:National League (English football) players Category:English Football League players Category:21st-century English sportsmen Category:English expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Gibraltar Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Gibraltar