Simon Yeo

Simon Yeo
Simon Yeo
Born	October 10, 1973 (age 53); Stockport, England
Occupation(s)	Footballer, coach
Years active	1997–2011
Known for	Professional football forward; player-coach at Mossley

Simon John Yeo (born 10 October 1973) is a retired English professional footballer who operated as a forward from 1997 until 2011 and currently serves as a player-coach at Mossley.

Previously serving in the British Army, Yeo is most notably recognized for his two tenures at Lincoln City spanning 2002 to 2006. He featured prominently under the management of Keith Alexander, contributing to the squad's multiple appearances in the League Two play-off finals. Prior to his time at Lincoln, Yeo competed in Northern Ireland with Ards and Coleraine, alongside stints in non-league football representing Curzon Ashton, Hyde United, and Atherton Collieries.

In 2005, Yeo briefly departed Lincoln to join the newly established A-League franchise New Zealand Knights, where he was among the club's marquee acquisitions; however, he returned to Lincoln within months. The following year, he followed Alexander to Peterborough United, before moving on to play for Chester City, Bury, and Macclesfield Town. By 2009, Yeo had returned to non-league competition with Conference North outfit Droylsden, subsequently signing for Harrogate Town and later New Mills. After initially retiring in 2011, he briefly rejoined Macclesfield following Alexander’s unexpected passing but retired again shortly thereafter.

Since retiring, Yeo has maintained close connections with Lincoln City, participating in various charity fixtures. Additionally, he has been employed as a baggage handler at Manchester Airport.

Army career

Following his education, Yeo completed a two-year Youth Training Scheme specializing in carpet fitting before enlisting in May 1992 with the 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment of the British Army. His military service included deployments to both Northern Ireland and Bosnia.

Football career

Upon leaving military service, Yeo combined semi-professional football with various occupations in Stockport. His football development gained traction during his time stationed in Northern Ireland, where he played for Fivemiletown United and reached the Mulhern Cup Final in 1995. In September 1997, he secured a twelve-month contract with Ards, netting three goals in seven matches before returning to England to join Curzon Ashton in October 1997. The following month saw him return to Irish football with Coleraine, scoring six times across 22 appearances during the 1997–98 campaign.

Yeo then signed for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Hyde United, and in September 1998 was loaned out to Atherton Collieries, where he impressively scored twelve goals in seven games before an ankle injury curtailed his run. After returning to Hyde, he marked his league debut with two goals and eventually tallied 111 goals over 169 appearances prior to his transfer to Lincoln City in May 2002.

During his two periods at Lincoln City, interrupted by a spell at the A-League’s New Zealand Knights, which he left due to personal circumstances, Yeo earned cult status among supporters. He was instrumental in scoring crucial late-season goals that secured playoff berths and helped guide Lincoln to the final held at the Millennium Stadium, although the team fell short of victory.

In the 2006–07 season, Yeo signed for Peterborough before moving on to Chester City in January 2007 for an undisclosed sum. Limited first-team opportunities led to a loan move to Bury in January 2008, and Chester released him at the conclusion of that season.

On 23 May 2008, Yeo reunited with former manager Keith Alexander by joining Macclesfield Town. After completing one season there, he announced his retirement on 5 May 2009 but shortly thereafter resumed playing with non-league side Droylsden. In December 2009, he signed for Harrogate Town, featuring eleven times and scoring once before transferring to New Mills in April 2010, where he scored on debut.

On 19 January 2011, Yeo ended his retirement to re-sign with Macclesfield Town. In July 2016, he transitioned into a coaching role as striker-coach at Mossley.

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