# Simon Osborn

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**Simon Edward Osborn** (born 19 January 1972) is an English former [football](/source/Association_football) player and football [manager](/source/Manager_(association_football)). A [midfielder](/source/Midfielder), he played 395 league and cup games in a 17-year career in the [English Football League](/source/English_Football_League).

He began his career with [Crystal Palace](/source/Crystal_Palace_F.C.), helping the club to the [First Division](/source/Football_League_First_Division) title in 1993–94 before he made a £90,000 move to [Reading](/source/Reading_F.C.). He helped the "Royals" to a second-place finish in the First Division in 1994–95, though they were then beaten in the [play-off final](/source/1995_Football_League_First_Division_play-off_final). He made a £1.1 million move to [Queens Park Rangers](/source/Queens_Park_Rangers_F.C.) in July 1995, before being sold on to [Wolverhampton Wanderers](/source/Wolverhampton_Wanderers_F.C.) for £1 million in December 1995. After six years and 185 appearances at [Molineux](/source/Molineux_Stadium), he was [loaned](/source/Loan_(sports)) out to [Tranmere Rovers](/source/Tranmere_Rovers_F.C.) before switching to [Port Vale](/source/Port_Vale_F.C.) in September 2001. He moved on to [Gillingham](/source/Gillingham_F.C.) the following month before he joined [Walsall](/source/Walsall_F.C.) in July 2003.

He joined [Hereford United](/source/Hereford_United_F.C.) in the summer of 2006 before moving into [non-League football](/source/Non-League_football) with [Bromley](/source/Bromley_F.C.). He helped the club to win [promotion](/source/Promotion_and_relegation) out of the [Isthmian League](/source/Isthmian_League) in 2007 and briefly served the club as manager in 2008. He then joined [Croydon Athletic](/source/Croydon_Athletic_F.C.) before scoring the winning goal for [Cray Wanderers](/source/Cray_Wanderers_F.C.) in the Isthmian League Division One South play-off final. In 2010, he became a player-[coach](/source/Coach_(sport)) at [Erith & Belvedere](/source/Erith_%26_Belvedere_F.C.). He joined the coaching staff at [Margate](/source/Margate_F.C.) in 2013 and was appointed joint manager with Craig Holloway in April 2013 before losing his job eight months later.

## Playing career

### Crystal Palace

Osborn was educated at Ashburton High School, now known as [Oasis Academy Shirley Park](/source/Oasis_Academy_Shirley_Park), [Croydon](/source/Croydon), from 1983 to 1989. A central [midfielder](/source/Midfielder), Osborn started his career as a trainee at [Crystal Palace](/source/Crystal_Palace_F.C.) in January 1990 under the stewardship of [Steve Coppell](/source/Steve_Coppell).[2] He turned professional for the [1989–90](/source/1989%E2%80%9390_Crystal_Palace_F.C._season) season which saw him voted Young Player of the Year by the club's fans.[4] They went on to finish third in [1990–91](/source/1990%E2%80%9391_Crystal_Palace_F.C._season), one of the best finishes in the [club's history](/source/History_of_Crystal_Palace_F.C.). They then dropped to tenth in [1991–92](/source/1991%E2%80%9392_Crystal_Palace_F.C._season), enough to secure them a place as founder members of the [Premier League](/source/Premier_League). They were [relegated](/source/Promotion_and_relegation) in 20th-place in [1992–93](/source/1992%E2%80%9393_Crystal_Palace_F.C._season), though had they won their final game of the season then [Oldham Athletic](/source/Oldham_Athletic_A.F.C.) would have taken their place in the relegation zone. Osborn scored in the [League Cup](/source/EFL_Cup) semi-finals in 1993, Palace's consolation in a 5–1 [aggregate](/source/Aggregate_score) defeat to [Arsenal](/source/Arsenal_F.C.). New boss [Alan Smith](/source/Alan_Smith_(football_manager)) led the "Eagles" to the First Division title in [1993–94](/source/1993%E2%80%9394_Crystal_Palace_F.C._season), Osborn's last season at [Selhurst Park](/source/Selhurst_Park).

### Reading

[Reading](/source/Reading_F.C.) [manager](/source/Manager_(association_football)) [Mark McGhee](/source/Mark_McGhee) handed over £90,000 for his services at the start of the [1994–95](/source/1994%E2%80%9395_Reading_F.C._season) season on 17 August.[2] The "Royals" narrowly missed out on a second-successive promotion as Osborn formed a vital part of the team that finished second in the First Division. They went on to lose 4–3 to [Bolton Wanderers](/source/Bolton_Wanderers_F.C.) in [the play-off final](/source/1995_Football_League_First_Division_play-off_final) at [Wembley](/source/Wembley_Stadium_(1923)); the game was necessary due to the [Premier League](/source/Premier_League)'s reduction in size only allowing one automatic [promotion](/source/Promotion_and_relegation) place.[5]

### Queens Park Rangers

As a result of Reading's failure to secure promotion, Osborn decided to move away from [Elm Park](/source/Elm_Park_(stadium)) to gain Premier League experience. He got his wish when [Queens Park Rangers](/source/Queens_Park_Rangers_F.C.) manager [Ray Wilkins](/source/Ray_Wilkins) splashed out £1.1 million for the midfielder in July 1995. Osborn lasted just six months at QPR, scoring once (against Bolton Wanderers[6]) in nine Premier League games for a side who ended [the season](/source/1995%E2%80%9396_Queens_Park_Rangers_F.C._season) in the relegation places, before moving back down a division and signing for [Mark McGhee](/source/Mark_McGhee)'s [Wolverhampton Wanderers](/source/Wolverhampton_Wanderers_F.C.) for a £1 million [transfer](/source/Transfer_(association_football)) fee.

### Wolverhampton Wanderers

McGhee steered the club to a 20th-place finish in [1995–96](/source/1995%E2%80%9396_Wolverhampton_Wanderers_F.C._season), just three points above relegated [Millwall](/source/Millwall_F.C.). Osborn scored six goals in 39 games in [1996–97](/source/1996%E2%80%9397_Wolverhampton_Wanderers_F.C._season), as Wolves finished third, four points behind [Barnsley](/source/Barnsley_F.C.) in the automatic promotion places; they went on to lose to his former club Crystal Palace at the [play-off](/source/English_Football_League_play-offs) semi-finals. They missed out on the play-offs by three places and nine points in [1997–98](/source/1997%E2%80%9398_Wolverhampton_Wanderers_F.C._season), Osborn scoring twice in 26 games, including one against former club QPR. That season, Wolves also got to the [FA Cup](/source/FA_Cup) semi-final, but Osborn missed the game against [Arsenal](/source/Arsenal_F.C.) due to suspension.[7] Early in the [1998–99](/source/1998%E2%80%9399_Wolverhampton_Wanderers_F.C._season) season McGhee was sacked, and replaced by his assistant [Colin Lee](/source/Colin_Lee). Wolves finished seventh, one place and three points behind [Bolton Wanderers](/source/Bolton_Wanderers_F.C.) in the play-offs; Osborn scored three goals in 42 appearances. The [1999–2000](/source/1999%E2%80%932000_Wolverhampton_Wanderers_F.C._season) season saw Bolton again finish sixth, one place and just two points ahead of Wolves; Osborn was limited to 26 appearances. Following a poor start to [2000–01](/source/2000%E2%80%9301_Wolverhampton_Wanderers_F.C._season), Colin Lee was replaced by [Dave Jones](/source/Dave_Jones_(footballer_born_1956)) in January 2001. Two months later Osborn was [loaned](/source/Loan_(sports)) out to league rivals [Tranmere Rovers](/source/Tranmere_Rovers_F.C.) for three months, where he scored once against [Fulham](/source/Fulham_F.C.).[8] At the end of the season his six-year stay at [Molineux](/source/Molineux_Stadium) was brought to an end, after 185 appearances for the club.

### Port Vale to Gillingham

In September 2001, he moved on a [free transfer](/source/Free_transfer_(association_football)) to [Brian Horton](/source/Brian_Horton)'s [Port Vale](/source/Port_Vale_F.C.) in the [Second Division](/source/Football_League_Second_Division).[9] He played eight games in four weeks at [Vale Park](/source/Vale_Park), before moving back up to the First Division with [Gillingham](/source/Gillingham_F.C.). He scored three goals in 30 games for [Andy Hessenthaler](/source/Andy_Hessenthaler)'s "Gills" in [2001–02](/source/2001%E2%80%9302_Gillingham_F.C._season). He missed September to March of the [2002–03](/source/2002%E2%80%9303_Gillingham_F.C._season) campaign and left the [Priestfield Stadium](/source/Priestfield_Stadium) after 49 league and cup appearances for the club.

### Walsall

Osborn signed for [Walsall](/source/Walsall_F.C.) in July 2003, who were then managed by his former boss Colin Lee.[10][11] However, Lee left the club in April 2004. Osborn briefly served as assistant to new manager [Paul Merson](/source/Paul_Merson).[12] The "Saddlers" suffered relegation out of the First Division in [2003–04](/source/2003%E2%80%9304_Walsall_F.C._season), with Osborn scoring three goals in 46 appearances. Ironically, they finished behind his former club, Gillingham, who avoided the drop on [goal difference](/source/Goal_difference). Osborn then played 41 games as Walsall finished 11th in [League One](/source/EFL_League_One) in [2004–05](/source/2004%E2%80%9305_Walsall_F.C._season). He picked up ten yellow cards and two goals in his 36 appearances in [2005–06](/source/2005%E2%80%9306_Walsall_F.C._season), as Walsall finished last and suffered relegation into [League Two](/source/EFL_League_Two); this was to prove to be his last season at the [Bescot Stadium](/source/Bescot_Stadium).

### Later career

Osborn started the [2006–07](/source/2006%E2%80%9307_Hereford_United_F.C._season) campaign with [Hereford United](/source/Hereford_United_F.C.), a club [Graham Turner](/source/Graham_Turner) had led to promotion back to the [Football League](/source/English_Football_League) after nine years in the [Conference](/source/National_League_(division)). However, he played just once for the "Bulls" and moved on to [Bromley](/source/Bromley_F.C.) in September 2006. The "Ravens" finished the [2006–07](/source/2006%E2%80%9307_Isthmian_League) season as runners-up of the Isthmian League and beat [Billericay Town](/source/Billericay_Town_F.C.) in the play-off final to win promotion into the [Conference South](/source/National_League_South). He was appointed [player-manager](/source/Player-manager) of Bromley in January 2008, assisted by [Bobby Bowry](/source/Bobby_Bowry), but resigned three months later following a change in ownership, having led them to an eleventh-place finish in [2007–08](/source/2007%E2%80%9308_Football_Conference).[13] He both succeeded and was preceded by [Mark Goldberg](/source/Mark_Goldberg_(football_manager)). Osborn then moved on to [Croydon Athletic](/source/Croydon_Athletic_F.C.) of the [Isthmian League](/source/Isthmian_League) Division One South.

He signed for league rivals [Cray Wanderers](/source/Cray_Wanderers_F.C.) in February 2009, appearing on the bench against [Ashford Town](/source/Ashford_United_F.C.) and making his debut for the club in March against [Walton & Hersham](/source/Walton_%26_Hersham_F.C.). He scored the only goal for the Wanderers in their 1–0 victory in the play-off final against [Metropolitan Police](/source/Metropolitan_Police_F.C.). He left the club at the end of [the season](/source/2008%E2%80%9309_Isthmian_League) and retired from playing football, opting to look for a coaching role elsewhere. However, he returned from retirement in March 2010 to re-sign for [Cray Wanderers](/source/Cray_Wanderers_F.C.). Osborn scored in the final game against [Horsham](/source/Horsham_F.C.) for the second successive season. He was then appointed as player-coach at [Erith & Belvedere](/source/Erith_%26_Belvedere_F.C.) of the [Kent League](/source/Southern_Counties_East_Football_League).[14]

## Managerial career

Osborn joined the coaching staff at Margate in January 2013 as assistant to [caretaker manager](/source/Caretaker_manager) Craig Holloway.[15] He was appointed joint-manager with Craig Holloway in April 2013.[16] He became sole manager in November 2013, but was sacked a month later.[17]

## Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[18][19][20] Club Season League FA Cup Other Total Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Crystal Palace 1990–91 First Division 4 0 0 0 1 0 5 0 1991–92 First Division 14 2 0 0 7 0 21 2 1992–93 Premier League 31 2 1 0 7 1 39 3 1993–94 First Division 6 1 1 0 0 0 7 1 Total 55 5 2 0 15 1 72 6 Reading 1994–95 First Division 32 5 0 0 7 0 39 5 Queens Park Rangers 1995–96 Premier League 9 1 0 0 2 0 11 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1995–96 First Division 21 2 4 0 0 0 25 2 1996–97 First Division 35 5 1 0 3 1 39 6 1997–98 First Division 24 2 3 0 0 0 27 2 1998–99 First Division 37 2 1 0 4 1 42 3 1999–2000 First Division 25 0 1 0 0 0 26 0 2000–01 First Division 20 0 2 0 2 1 24 1 Total 162 11 12 0 9 3 183 14 Tranmere Rovers (loan) 2000–01 First Division 9 1 0 0 0 0 9 1 Port Vale 2001–02 Second Division 7 0 0 0 1 0 8 0 Gillingham 2001–02 First Division 28 4 3 0 0 0 31 4 2002–03 First Division 18 1 0 0 0 0 18 1 Total 46 5 3 0 0 0 49 5 Walsall 2003–04 First Division 43 3 1 0 2 0 46 3 2004–05 League One 38 0 1 0 2 0 41 0 2005–06 League One 32 2 3 0 1 0 36 2 Total 113 5 5 0 5 0 123 5 Hereford United 2006–07 League Two 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Bromley 2006–07 Isthmian League Premier Division 29 2 0 0 0 0 29 2 2007–08 Conference South 25 0 0 0 0 0 25 0 Total 54 2 0 0 0 0 54 2 Margate 2012–13 Isthmian League Premier Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Career total 389 35 22 0 39 4 450 39

## Honours

**Crystal Palace**

- [Football League First Division](/source/Football_League_First_Division): [1993–94](/source/1993%E2%80%9394_Crystal_Palace_F.C._season)

**Reading**

- Football League First Division second-place promotion: [1994–95](/source/1994%E2%80%9395_Reading_F.C._season)

**Bromley**

- [Isthmian League](/source/Isthmian_League) play-offs: [2006–07](/source/2006%E2%80%9307_Isthmian_League)

**Cray Wanderers**

- Isthmian League Division One South play-offs: [2009](/source/2008%E2%80%9309_Isthmian_League)

## References

1. www.holmesdale.net, Holmesdale Online. ["Simon Osborn"](https://www.holmesdale.net/page.php?id=111&player=521). *Holmesdale Online*. Retrieved 29 October 2022.

1. ["FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2001/02"](http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2001-2002/d2/portv.htm). *www.footballsquads.co.uk*. Retrieved 24 June 2019.

1. ["1989/90 revisited"](http://www.holmesdale.net/page.php?id=82&story=4432). *holmesdale.net*. Retrieved 5 March 2012.

1. ["READING 3 Bolton Wanderers 4 (After Extra Time)"](http://www.royals.org/matdoc/290595.html). *royals.org*. Retrieved 5 March 2012.

1. ["Rangers defy the prophets"](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-rangers-defy-the-prophets-1526295.html). *[The Independent](/source/The_Independent)*. 18 December 1995. Retrieved 24 February 2013.

1. ["Football: FA Cup semi-final team-sheet"](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-fa-cup-semi-final-team-sheet-1154632.html). Independent. 5 April 1998. Retrieved 7 April 2020.

1. ["Slick Fulham topple Tranmere"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1252377.stm). [BBC Sport](/source/BBC_Sport). 30 March 2001. Retrieved 22 April 2012.

1. ["Vale sign Osborn"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/1527270.stm). *BBC Sport*. 5 September 2001. Retrieved 12 June 2009.

1. ["Osborn blow for boss"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/3047350.stm). *BBC Sport*. 5 July 2003. Retrieved 12 June 2009.

1. ["Walsall sign duo"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/walsall/3041940.stm). *BBC Sport*. 3 July 2003. Retrieved 12 June 2009.

1. ["Merson commits to Walsall"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/walsall/3661179.stm). *BBC Sport*. 26 April 2004. Retrieved 12 June 2009.

1. ["Osborn & Bowry to leave Bromley"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7375967.stm). *BBC Sport*. 30 April 2008. Retrieved 12 June 2009.

1. ["Deres ready for 'Dean"](http://www.thefa.com/Competitions/FACompetitions/TheFAVase/NewsAndFeatures/2010/erith-saltdean-180910.aspx). *thefa.com*. Retrieved 5 March 2012.

1. ["Osborn jets in to help Holloway in short-term"](https://archive.today/20130505074523/http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/Osborn-jets-help-Holloway-short-term/story-18014594-detail/story.html%23axzz2QwCo9KaP#axzz2QwCo9KaP). *Isle of Thanet Gazette*. 19 April 2013. Archived from [the original](http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/Osborn-jets-help-Holloway-short-term/story-18014594-detail/story.html#axzz2QwCo9KaP) on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2013.

1. Wilmot, Lee (6 January 2013). ["Craig Holloway and Simon Osborn named joint Margate managers"](https://archive.today/20130505081853/http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/Craig-Holloway-Simon-Osborn-named-joint-Margate/story-18629111-detail/story.html%23axzz2QwCo9KaP#axzz2QwCo9KaP). *thisiskent.co.uk*. Archived from [the original](http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/Craig-Holloway-Simon-Osborn-named-joint-Margate/story-18629111-detail/story.html#axzz2QwCo9KaP) on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2013.

1. Redsull, Kevin (9 December 2013). ["Margate Football Club sack manager Simon Osborn and his assistant Ian Docker"](http://www.kentonline.co.uk/thanet/news/osborn-sacked-by-margate--9959/). *Kent Online*. Retrieved 4 May 2014.

1. ["Simon Osborn Profile | Aylesbury United FC"](http://www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk/staff/simon-osborn). *www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk*. Retrieved 16 April 2018.

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