# Simon Ainge

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**Simon Christopher Ainge** (born 18 February 1988) is an English [footballer](/source/Association_football) who plays for club [Yorkshire Amateur](/source/Yorkshire_Amateur_A.F.C.) as a [defender](/source/Defender_(association_football)) and a [forward](/source/Forward_(association_football)).

He began his career at [Bradford City](/source/Bradford_City_A.F.C.) in the lower divisions of the [Football League](/source/English_Football_League), and then spent three seasons playing for [Guiseley](/source/Guiseley_A.F.C.) before transferring to [Luton Town](/source/Luton_Town_F.C.). He was released by Luton in July 2013 and subsequently spent 18-month spells at [FC Halifax Town](/source/F.C._Halifax_Town) and [Bradford Park Avenue](/source/Bradford_Park_Avenue_A.F.C.). After 18 months with [Harrogate Town](/source/Harrogate_Town_F.C.) and a three-month loan to [Wrexham](/source/Wrexham_A.F.C.), Ainge signed for Darlington in 2018.

## Career

Born in [Shipley](/source/Shipley,_West_Yorkshire), near [Bradford](/source/Bradford), [West Yorkshire](/source/West_Yorkshire), Simon Ainge is a product of [Bradford City](/source/Bradford_City_A.F.C.)'s youth system, winning a senior contract in March 2006.[1] He broke into the first team the following season making his debut in a 2–1 defeat to [Scunthorpe United](/source/Scunthorpe_United_F.C.) on 17 October 2006 in the [Football League Trophy](/source/Football_League_Trophy). He made his first league appearance the following month before his first start was in a 4–0 [FA Cup](/source/FA_Cup) victory over [Crewe Alexandra](/source/Crewe_Alexandra_F.C.) on 4 November 2006.[2] He played four times during November 2006 winning praise from his manager [Colin Todd](/source/Colin_Todd), a former [England international](/source/England_national_football_team) centre back.[3] Ainge played a total of 11 games during the [2006–07 season](/source/2006-07_Bradford_City_A.F.C._season) but he was limited to just four games the following season, including three as substitute, and was instead given a trial at Scunthorpe United.[4] He returned to Bradford before he joined [Conference](/source/Football_Conference) club [Halifax Town](/source/Halifax_Town_A.F.C.) in January 2008 in a loan deal for the rest of the season.[5]

Ainge was an unused substitute as Halifax went out of the [FA Trophy](/source/FA_Trophy) as they lost to [Rushden & Diamonds](/source/Rushden_%26_Diamonds_F.C.) 2–0,[6] and instead made his league debut the following weekend against the same team when he gave away a penalty for handball.[7] Two days earlier Ainge had been one of five substitutes, who were all on loan at Halifax, during their 4–1 West Riding County Cup victory over [Ossett Albion](/source/Ossett_Albion_F.C.).[8] Ainge came on during the victory but Halifax were later thrown out of the competition because loan players were not eligible.[9] Ainge did not feature again for Halifax until 24 March 2008, when he came on as a substitute in the 16th minute when Halifax lost 2–0 to [Droylsden](/source/Droylsden_F.C.).[10][11] On 15 April 2008, he received the first [red card](/source/Red_card_(association_football)) of his career, for two [bookable offences](/source/Yellow_card_(association_football)) during Halifax's 2–1 defeat by [Burton Albion](/source/Burton_Albion_F.C.).[12] He played 12 games during his loan spell for Halifax,[11] helping them to avoid relegation from the Conference by just one point from [Altrincham](/source/Altrincham_F.C.).[13] He returned to Bradford in time to play in their final game of the season with [Wycombe Wanderers](/source/Wycombe_Wanderers_F.C.) as a late substitute.[14] Ainge made his first start for City in more than a year as replacement for injured full backs [Paul Arnison](/source/Paul_Arnison) and [TJ Moncur](/source/TJ_Moncur) in a 1–1 draw with [Luton Town](/source/Luton_Town_F.C.) on 4 October 2008.[15] It was Ainge's only game for Bradford during the [2008–09 season](/source/2008%E2%80%9309_Bradford_City_A.F.C._season), and instead he joined [Cambridge United](/source/Cambridge_United_F.C.) of the Conference on another loan deal on the March transfer deadline day for the final two months of the season.[16] He made his debut for Cambridge as a substitute in their 1–0 victory against [Woking](/source/Woking_F.C.).[17]

At the end of the 2008–09 season, Ainge was released by Bradford City; he joined their cross-city rivals [Bradford Park Avenue](/source/Bradford_Park_Avenue_A.F.C.) of the [Northern Premier League Premier Division](/source/Northern_Premier_League_Premier_Division) in July 2009.[18] He stayed at Avenue until November 2009 after playing in only three games, when he signed for their league rivals [Guiseley](/source/Guiseley_A.F.C.). Ainge was part of the Guiseley team that won promotion to the [Conference North](/source/Conference_North) during the [2009–10 Northern Premier League](/source/2009%E2%80%9310_Northern_Premier_League) season, and he was made the club's captain for the start of the [2010–11](/source/2010%E2%80%9311_Football_Conference#Conference_North) season. Ainge led Guiseley to a highest ever league position of fifth, but the club lost in the play-off final to [AFC Telford United](/source/A.F.C._Telford_United) to a stoppage-time goal.[19] In the [2011–12](/source/2011%E2%80%9312_Football_Conference#Conference_North) season he captained Guiseley to an even higher finish of second place though they again lost in the play-offs, this time to [Nuneaton Town](/source/Nuneaton_Town_F.C.) at the semi-final stage. Ainge scored eight goals from central defence during the campaign.

At the end of the season, Ainge was called up to play for the [England C](/source/England_C_national_football_team) semi-professional national team in a game against [Russia U23](/source/Russia_national_football_team) on 5 June 2012, which England C lost 4–0. He later captained England C to a 2–1 win over [Belgium U23](/source/Belgium_national_football_team) on 12 September 2012.[20]

Ainge's performances for Guiseley were picked up by Conference Premier side [Luton Town](/source/Luton_Town_F.C.), who moved to take him on an initial one-month loan on 27 September 2012.[21] After playing in four wins and one loss, in which he scored one goal, Luton extended his loan for a further two months and reached an agreement with Guiseley for the transfer to become permanent in January 2013.[22] Ainge officially joined Luton for an undisclosed fee on 2 January 2013.[23] He was transfer listed by the club in April 2013 following a change in Luton's management,[24] and his contract was terminated on 4 July 2013.[25]

Following his release from Luton Town, he joined newly promoted Conference Premier club [FC Halifax Town](/source/F.C._Halifax_Town).[26] On 11 August 2013, Ainge made his debut for Halifax in a heavy 5–1 defeat to Cambridge United.

In January 2015, Ainge rejoined [Bradford Park Avenue](/source/Bradford_Park_Avenue_A.F.C.).[27]

He signed for [Harrogate Town](/source/Harrogate_Town_F.C.) in May 2016.[28] He arrived as a defender, but a switch to striker under manager [Simon Weaver](/source/Simon_Weaver) was extremely successful, and led him to the National League North Player of the Month award for February 2017[29] and a place in the [2016–17 National League North](/source/2016%E2%80%9317_National_League#National_League_North) team of the season.[30]

In February 2018, Ainge joined [Wrexham](/source/Wrexham_A.F.C.) on loan.[31]

Ainge signed a two-year contract with National League North club [Darlington](/source/Darlington_F.C.) ahead of the 2018–19 season; the fee was undisclosed.[32] He was a regular in the team, used either in defence or attack, throughout the season,[33] but was then allowed to leave the club for financial reasons.[34] He signed for another National League North club, [Boston United](/source/Boston_United), on loan for the 2019–20 season.[35]

In August 2020, Ainge joined [Gainsborough Trinity](/source/Gainsborough_Trinity_F.C.).[36] He made ten appearances and scored three goals in all competitions before the season was abandoned.[37][38] He signed for Northern Premier League Division One East club [Yorkshire Amateur](/source/Yorkshire_Amateur_A.F.C.) in April 2021.[39]

## Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition Club Season League FA Cup League Cup[a] Other Total Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Bradford City 2006–07[40] League One 9 0 2 0 0 0 1[b] 0 12 0 2007–08[11] League Two 4 0 0 0 0 0 1[b] 0 5 0 2008–09[15] League Two 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Total 14 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 18 0 Halifax Town (loan) 2007–08[11] Conference Premier 12 0 0 0 — 0 0 12 0 Cambridge United (loan) 2008–09[15] Conference Premier 2 0 0 0 — 0 0 2 0 Bradford Park Avenue 2009–10 Northern Premier 2 0 1 0 — 0 0 3 0 Guiseley 2009–10[41] Northern Premier 24 1 0 0 1 0 1[c] 0 26 1 2010–11[42] Conference North 38 2 5 0 — 8[d] 0 51 2 2011–12[43] Conference North 40 8 2 0 — 6[e] 0 48 8 2012–13[44][45] Conference North 9 0 1 0 — — 10 0 Total 111 11 8 0 1 0 15 0 135 11 Luton Town 2012–13 Conference Premier 22 1 0 0 — 5[f] 1 27 2 FC Halifax Town 2013–14[44] Conference Premier 42 2 2 0 — 1[f] 0 45 2 2014–15[44] Conference Premier 16 1 3 0 — 0 0 19 1 Total 58 3 5 0 — 1 0 64 3 Bradford Park Avenue 2014–15[44] Conference North 18 5 0 0 — 0 0 18 5 2015–16[44] National League North 28 1 0 0 — 2[f] 0 30 1 Total 46 6 0 0 — 2 0 48 6 Harrogate Town 2016–17[44] National League North 39 22 1 0 — 2[f] 1 42 23 2017–18[44] National League North 15 13 0 0 — 0 0 15 13 Total 54 35 1 0 — 2 1 57 36 Wrexham (loan) 2017–18[44] National League 10 0 0 0 — 0 0 10 0 Darlington 2018–19[44][46] National League North 33 4 1 0 — 1[f] 0 35 4 Boston United (loan) 2019–20[44][47] National League North 12 0 2 0 — 0 0 14 0 Career total 376 60 20 0 1 0 28 2 425 62

1. Includes appearances in [Football League Cup](/source/Football_League_Cup) and [Northern Premier League Challenge Cup](/source/Northern_Premier_League_Challenge_Cup)

1. Appearances in [Football League Trophy](/source/Football_League_Trophy)

1. Appearance in [Peter Swales Shield](/source/Peter_Swales_Shield)

1. Three appearances in Conference North play-offs, six in [FA Trophy](/source/FA_Trophy)

1. Two appearances in Conference North play-offs, four in FA Trophy

1. Appearance(s) in FA Trophy

## References

1. ["Contract reward for City's two Joes"](http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/8088356.Contract_reward_for_City_s_two_Joes/). *Telegraph & Argus*. 25 March 2006. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

1. Parker, Simon (13 November 2006). ["Come on you Lions, roars Todd"](http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/1018020.Come_on_you_Lions__roars_Todd/). *Telegraph & Argus*. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

1. Parker, Simon (23 November 2006). ["Ainge can be pick of crop against Cherries"](http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/1036374.Ainge_can_be_pick_of_crop_against_Cherries/). *Telegraph & Argus*. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

1. ["Scunthorpe capture Ameobi on loan"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/scunthorpe_utd/7097080.stm). BBC Sport. 15 November 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2008.

1. ["Ainge leaves Bradford for Halifax"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/halifax_town/7219558.stm). BBC Sport. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2008.

1. Fletcher, Dave (4 February 2008). ["Halifax Town 0 v Rushden and Diamonds 2 – Town's Trophy dreams are over"](https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/sport/halifax-town-0-v-rushden-and-diamonds-2-town-s-trophy-dreams-are-over-1-1905630). *Evening Courier*. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

1. ["Rushden & Diamonds 2–2 Halifax"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/7223866.stm). BBC Sport. 9 February 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2008.

1. ["Halifax Town 4 Ossett Albion 1: Two goals in each half as Town win"](https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/sport/halifax-town-4-ossett-albion-1-two-goals-in-each-half-as-town-win-1-1905884). *Evening Courier*. 7 February 2008. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

1. ["Avenue face Ossett not Halifax"](http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/2060481.Avenue_face_Ossett_not_Halifax/). *Telegraph & Argus*. 20 February 2008. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

1. ["Droylsden 2–0 Halifax"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/7298243.stm). BBC Sport. 23 March 2008. Retrieved 26 March 2008.

1. ["Burton 2–1 Halifax"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/7344119.stm). BBC Sport. 15 April 2008. Retrieved 16 April 2008.

1. ["Halifax 1–2 Stevenage"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/7356048.stm). BBC Sport. 26 April 2008. Retrieved 29 April 2008.

1. ["Wycombe 2–1 Bradford"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/7368700.stm). BBC Sport. 3 May 2008. Retrieved 4 October 2008.

1. ["Ainge makes Cambridge loan move"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cambridge_utd/7966547.stm). BBC Sport. 26 March 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2009.

1. ["Woking 0–1 Cambridge Utd"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/7949000.stm). BBC Sport. 30 March 2009. Retrieved 5 April 2009.

1. Whiting, Ian (26 July 2009). ["City old boy signs up for Avenue"](http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sport_avenue/sport_avenue_headlines/4512889.City_old_boy_signs_up_for_Avenue/). *Telegraph & Argus*. Retrieved 2 August 2009.

1. ["AFC Telford 3–2 Guiseley"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13379863). BBC Sport. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

1. ["Gray grabs late winner"](http://www.thefa.com/England/england-c/News/match-centre/2012/belgium-v-england). The Football Association. 12 September 2012. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20131022114256/http://www.thefa.com/England/england-c/News/match-centre/2012/belgium-v-england) 22 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 31 January 2013.

1. ["Simon Ainge joins Luton Town from Guiseley on loan"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19747727). BBC Sport. 27 September 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

1. ["Town confirm Ainge extension"](https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/football/luton-town/town-confirm-ainge-extension-1-4359331). *Luton Today*. Johnston Publishing. 11 October 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

1. ["Simon Ainge joins Luton Town permanently"](http://guiseleyafc.co.uk/simon-ainge-joins-luton-permanently/). Guiseley A.F.C. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

1. ["FA Cup goalscoring hero Rendell among transfer-listed Town quartet"](https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/football/luton-town/fa-cup-goalscoring-hero-rendell-among-transfer-listed-town-quartet-1-5019122). *Luton Today*. Johnston Publishing. 19 April 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

1. ["Spiller and Ainge depart Hatters"](https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/football/luton-town/spiller-and-ainge-depart-hatters-1-5249588). *Luton Today*. Johnston Publishing. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

1. ["Ainge earns move to FC Halifax"](https://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/sport/football/ainge-earns-move-to-fc-halifax-1-5258333). *Leighton Buzzard Observer*. Johnston Publishing. 6 July 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

1. ["Simon Ainge"](http://tc1.bpafc.com/players/simon-ainge/). Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150520042831/http://tc1.bpafc.com/players/simon-ainge/) 20 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 13 January 2015.

1. White, Ed (18 May 2016). ["Simon Ainge joins Harrogate Town from Bradford Park Avenue"](https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/simon-ainge-joins-harrogate-town-from-bradford-park-avenue-1-7917402). *Harrogate Advertiser*. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

1. ["Simon Ainge wins Player of the Month award"](http://achievemanagement.co.uk/simon-ainge-wins-player-of-the-month-award/). Achieve Management. 8 March 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

1. ["Two Ammies in National League North Team of the Season"](http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/salfordcityfc/news/two-ammies-in-national-league-north-team-of-the-se-1801578.html). Salford City F.C. 1 June 2017. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170605191016/http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/salfordcityfc/news/two-ammies-in-national-league-north-team-of-the-se-1801578.html) 5 June 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 August 2017.

1. Griffiths, Rob (24 February 2018). ["Wrexham AFC sign striker Simon Ainge ahead of today's Aldershot clash"](https://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wrexham-afc-sign-striker-simon-14332269). *Daily Post*. Retrieved 24 February 2018.

1. Stoddart, Craig (30 May 2018). ["Darlington sign striker Simon Ainge from Harrogate Town"](http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/darlington/16258569.Darlington_sign_Simon_Ainge_from_Harrogate_Town/). *The Northern Echo*. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

1. Stoddart, Craig (15 February 2019). ["Darlington boss Wright: 'I hope our fans get behind Ainge'"](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/darlington/17436964.wright-i-hope-our-fans-get-behind-ainge/). *The Northern Echo*. Retrieved 12 October 2019.

1. Stoddart, Craig (9 October 2019). ["On-loan Ainge hoping to play against Darlington for Boston"](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/17957583.on-loan-ainge-hoping-play-darlington/). *The Northern Echo*. Retrieved 12 October 2019.

1. ["Goalscoring defender Simon Ainge will join Boston United"](https://www.bostonstandard.co.uk/sport/football/goalscoring-defender-simon-ainge-will-join-boston-united-1-8984082). *Boston Standard*. 2 July 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2019.

1. ["Top of the R-Ainge: Ainge Becomes Blue - Gainsborough Trinity Football Club"](https://www.gainsboroughtrinity.com/news/team-news/408-top-of-the-r-ainge-simon-ainge-becomes-blue)

1. ["Gainsborough Trinity – Appearances – Simon Ainge – 2020–2021"](https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/gainsborough-trinity/appearances/2020-2021/simon-ainge/920321). *Football Web Pages*. Retrieved 29 July 2021.

1. ["FA Update On Steps 3-6"](https://www.thenpl.co.uk/fa-update-on-steps-3-6-65182). Northern Premier League. 24 February 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.

1. Grayson, James (29 April 2021). ["Ammers make major signing in Ainge"](http://www.nonleagueyorkshire.com/2021/04/29/ammers-make-major-signing-in-ainge/). *Non League Yorkshire*. Retrieved 29 July 2021.

1. ["Appearances/goals Guiseley A.F.C. 2009–10"](http://guiseleyafc.co.uk/2011-12/2009-10/app7/). Guiseley A.F.C. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120425214947/http://guiseleyafc.co.uk/2011-12/2009-10/app7/) 25 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["Appearances/goals Guiseley A.F.C. 2010–11"](http://guiseleyafc.co.uk/2011-12/fixtures/ppp/). Guiseley A.F.C. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120502234728/http://guiseleyafc.co.uk/2011-12/fixtures/ppp/) 2 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["Appearances/goals Guiseley A.F.C. 2011–12"](http://guiseleyafc.co.uk/2011-12/current/appearancesgoals/). Guiseley A.F.C. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120625111027/http://guiseleyafc.co.uk/2011-12/current/appearancesgoals/) 25 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["S. Ainge"](https://uk.soccerway.com/players/simon-ainge/50399/). *Soccerway*. Perform Group. Retrieved 13 October 2019.

1. ["Lions make hard work of it"](http://guiseleyafc.co.uk/lions-make-hard-work-of-it/). Guiseley A.F.C. 22 September 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

1. Simpson, Ray (22 September 2018). ["Quakers beaten by first half goal"](https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/updates-of-quakers-v-bradford-park-avenue). Darlington F.C. Retrieved 1 October 2018. Hatfield, Luke (23 November 2018). ["Darlington 0 AFC Telford 2 – Report, pictures and highlights"](https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/afc-telford-united/2018/11/23/darlington-0-afc-telford-2-report-and-pictures/). *Shropshire Star*. Retrieved 31 March 2019.

1. Singleton, Craig (21 September 2019). ["Stamford AFC 0–4 Boston United"](https://www.bostonunited.co.uk/teams/24809/match-centre/0-4689066/report). Boston United F.C. Retrieved 12 October 2019. Singleton, Craig (5 October 2019). ["Sutton Coldfield Town 0–1 Boston United"](https://www.bostonunited.co.uk/teams/24809/match-centre/0-4716537/report). Boston United F.C. Retrieved 12 October 2019.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Simon Ainge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Ainge) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Ainge?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.