Steve Fitzsimmons
Steve Fitzsimmons | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 7, 1976 Liverpool, England |
| Occupation(s) | Soccer player, coach |
| Years active | 1990s–2011 |
| Known for | Playing for Parramatta Power, Marconi Stallions, Brisbane Strikers, New Zealand Knights, Queensland Roar, Gold Coast United; Assistant Coach at Gold Coast United |
Steve Fitzsimmons (born 7 September 1976) is a retired Australian soccer player and coach.
Club career
Fitzsimmons launched his National Soccer League (NSL) journey with Parramatta Power, working under head coach David Mitchell and assistant Lawrie McKinna. In 2001, after unsuccessful attempts to join Hull City and Leyton Orient in England, he returned to Australia to sign with the NSL side Marconi Stallions.
After a difficult season at Marconi, Fitzsimmons secured a two-year deal with the Brisbane Strikers, led by first-time coach Stuart McClaren. The Strikers surpassed expectations by advancing to the NSL finals but were eliminated by Adelaide United on away goals, coinciding with the conclusion of the NSL competition.
He then became part of the inaugural squad for the foundation A-League team New Zealand Knights. The season proved largely disappointing for the club. Fitzsimmons departed from the Knights in January 2006 and signed with Queensland Roar, reuniting with coach Miron Bleiberg. He opened the Tongyeong Cup scoring for Queensland Roar and initially agreed to a short-term contract but was released following Bleiberg's exit.
Subsequently, Fitzsimmons competed in the Brisbane Premier League representing Palm Beach SC and later Beenleigh Football Club. His tenure at Beenleigh included a standout season highlighted by scoring the Grand Final-winning goal. Although he led in Player of the Year voting, suspension rendered him ineligible to receive the award.
In late 2008, Fitzsimmons signed with newly established A-League outfit Gold Coast United. He netted his first A-League goal on 21 August 2009 during a 2–0 victory over Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium. After the 2009/10 campaign, he declined an offer from Chinese Super League club Qingdao Jonoon, opting instead to extend his stay at Gold Coast United for another year through the 2010/11 season.
Upon retiring following the 2010–11 A-League season, Fitzsimmons transitioned into coaching, taking up the role of Assistant Coach at Gold Coast United.
External links
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- 1976 births
- Living people
- English emigrants to Australia
- English people of Greek descent
- Australian people of Greek descent
- Sportspeople of Greek descent
- Men's association football midfielders
- Australian men's soccer players
- A-League Men players
- National Soccer League (Australia) players
- Brisbane Strikers FC players
- Gold Coast United FC players
- New Zealand Knights FC players
- Parramatta Power SC players
- Brisbane Roar FC players
- Footballers from Liverpool
- Expatriate men's association footballers in New Zealand
- Queensland Lions FC players