Simon Rayner

Simon Rayner
Personal information
Full nameSimon Christopher Rayner
Date of birthJuly 8, 1983
Place of birthLangley, British Columbia, Canada
Height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Playing positionGoalkeeper
Club information
Current team
Three Bridges
Youth career
2000–2001Bournemouth
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2001–2002Bournemouth0(0)
2001–2002→ Bournemouth Poppies (loan)(0)
2001→ Salisbury City (loan)1(0)
2002–2003Barry Town21(0)
2003–2004Port Talbot Town25(0)
2004–2007Lincoln City4(0)
2006→ Alfreton Town (loan)20(0)
2007→ Torquay United (loan)10(0)
2007–2008Torquay United13(0)
2008–2010Crawley Town81(0)
2011–Three Bridges0(0)
National team
2002Canada U-232(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of September 19, 2011.
† Appearances (Goals).

Simon Christopher Rayner (born July 8, 1983 in Langley, British Columbia, Canada) is a Canadian football goalkeeper, currently signed to Three Bridges in the Sussex County League Division One.

Early career

Rayner began his career as a junior with Bournemouth, signing as a trainee professional in August 2000[1] and turning professional one year later.[2] With Bournemouth having scapped their U19 side and, as third choice keeper behind Gareth Stewart and Michael Menetrier, opportunities in the reserves limited, Rayner joined Wessex League side Bournemouth Poppies on loan in August 2001[3] whilst continuing to train full-time with Bournemouth. He also made a solitary appearance on loan for Salisbury City in their 1-0 home defeat to Welling United on 6 October 2001.[4] In February 2002, in search of first team football, he agreed to cancel his contract with Bournemouth in order to join League of Wales side Barry Town,[5][6] helping the Welsh side to the League and Cup double at the end of the season.

In December 2002, he played for the Canadian Under-23 team against the United States.[7]

He left Barry in the summer of 2003,[8] joining Port Talbot Town in July that year. At end of the following season Rayner had trials with Newcastle United [9] and Swansea City,[10] but joined Lincoln City in August 2004.[11]

He made his league debut for Lincoln on September 25, 2004, but struggled to establish himself due to the presence of Alan Marriott as Lincoln's first choice keeper. Rayner joined non-league Alfreton Town on loan in January 2006.[12]

He joined Torquay United on an emergency loan on March 1, 2007,[13] making his debut the following day in the 1-1 draw away to Chester City. He played ten times for Torquay before being recalled by Lincoln, this coming after Torquay had already been relegated to the Conference Premier. He was released by Lincoln at the end of the season.

On June 4, 2007 Rayner signed for Torquay United on a two-year contract[14] and despite competition from another new signing, Martin Rice, began the season as Torquay's regular goalkeeper in the Conference.

Rayner spent only a single season at Plainmoor, and joined Crawley Town in June 2008. At the time it was reported that Rayner had been made available for transfer following a falling-out with Torquay manager, Paul Buckle[15] The Canadian stopper was a mainstay in the first-team throughout his first two seasons at Crawley, although Rayner was displaced by young goalkeeper, Nick Jordan, towards the end of his second season at the club. At the culmination of the 2009/10 campaign, it was announced that Rayner was not to be retained by Crawley.[16]

In July 2011, it was announced that Rayner had signed for Three Bridges of Sussex County League Division One.[17]

International

He has represented Canada at Youth, Under-20 and Under-23 levels.

References

  1. ↑ "Machin fills Cherries' keeper spot". BBC Sport. 2000-08-09. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
  2. ↑ "Simon Rayner". A.F.C. Bournemouth Official Website. 23 July 2001. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
  3. ↑ "Rayner looks to international promotion". A.F.C. Bournemouth Official Website. 30 August 2001. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
  4. ↑ "Simon Rayner Player Details Seasons 2001-2002". SoccerFactsUK.co.uk. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
  5. ↑ "O'Driscoll explains Rayner move". A.F.C. Bournemouth Official Website. 5 February 2002. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
  6. ↑ Brown signs two goalkeepers to replace Forde
  7. ↑ Canada defeats USA 2-0
  8. ↑ Four out at Barry
  9. ↑ Rayner trials with Magpies
  10. ↑ Swans continue keeper hunt
  11. ↑ Imps snap up Rayner
  12. ↑ Imps keeper is loaned to Alfreton
  13. ↑ Ailing Torquay seal treble swoop
  14. ↑ Torquay sign ex-Imps goalkeeper
  15. ↑ "RAYNER JOINS CRAWLEY". NonLeagueDaily.com. 2008-06-29. Retrieved 2008-06-29.
  16. ↑ Rayner released by Crawley
  17. ↑ What a surprise... (Facebook)

External links