Full name Simon Lee Rodger Name Simon Rodger | Years Team Role Footballer | |
 | ||
Date of birth (1971-10-03) 3 October 1971 (age 44) Place of birth Shoreham-by-Sea, England | ||
FIFA 15: Simon Rodger Solo Goal
Simon Lee Rodger (born 3 October 1971) is an English former professional footballer who played as a Defensive Midfielder from 1989 until 2004.
Contents
He played the majority of his career with Crystal Palace, which a number of seasons in the Premier League. He also played in the Football League for Manchester City, Stoke City and Brighton & Hove Albion, and non-league for Bognor Regis Town and Woking.
Club career
Rodger was born in Shoreham-by-Sea and played non-league football with Bognor Regis Town before he was signed by Palace in 1990 for £1,000. He made his debut for the Eagles away at Sheffield Wednesday at the age of 20 and soon established himself as a vital member to the first team at Selhurst Park. He spent 11 seasons with Palace in what was a decade of instability at the club. They were founding members of the Premier League but were relegated back to Division One in 1992–93. They gained an instant return in 1993–94 which was followed again by relegation in 1994–95.
Promotion was again achieved in 1996–97 through the play-offs, but Rodger spent time out on loan that season at Manchester City (making eight appearances) and Stoke City (making five appearances). Palace then suffered a third relegated from the top-tier in 1997–98. Palace remained in Division One and with Rodger having spent ten years at the club he was given a Testimonial against Tottenham Hotspur. In 2002, after a testimonial, Rodger was released by the club and after a short time with Woking, was signed by Brighton and Hove Albion, where he was reunited with former Palace manager Steve Coppell. He finished his League career with the Seagulls.
Personal life
Rodger is currently married to a QVC beauty expert presenter – Alison Young. Simon is now a Licensed Private Hire Chauffeur.