Simon Grand (born 23 February 1984) is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Charnock Richard.
He notably played in the Football League for Rochdale, Carlisle United, Grimsby Town, Morecambe and Aldershot Town, and in non-league football for Northwich Victoria, Fleetwood Town, Southport, Mansfield Town, AFC Telford United, Barrow, Salford City, AFC Fylde and Chester.
Career Rochdale Born in Chorley, Grand started his career at Rochdale as a trainee in August 2001 and won the club's Young Player of the Year award in May 2002. He made his debut in a 2nd round FA Cup tie against Bristol Rovers in December 2002 and established himself in the first team, making 28 appearances in all competitions in the remainder of the 2002–03 season and helping Rochdale to the 5th round of the FA Cup in February 2003 where they were beaten by Wolves. He began the 2003–04 season in the first team and was a regular until January 2004 when, having made 21 appearances in all competition, he was dropped from the side following the arrival of new manager Steve Parkin. He made no further appearances for Rochdale and was released by the club in May 2004.
Carlisle United Grand joined Conference National club, Carlisle United, in August 2004, after a successful trial. He scored on his debut against Tamworth in September 2004 and made 29 appearances in all competitions in the 2004–05 season as Carlisle won promotion to the Football League. Shortly before the end of the season, he signed a two-year contract keeping him at the club until 2007. In December 2005, he scored the match winning penalty as Carlisle beat Tranmere Rovers 11–10 on penalties in the Football League Trophy. However, he found it hard to get ahead of Kevin Gray, Danny Livesey and Peter Murphy in the centre back position and made only 14 appearances in the 2005–06 season as Carlisle clinched a second successive promotion as League Two champions. At the end of the season, Carlisle were willing to listen to offers for Grand and, after making a further six appearances for Carlisle in the 2006–07 season, he joined Grimsby Town.
Grimsby Town Grand joined Grimsby Town in January 2007, initially on loan until the end of the 2006–07 season but signing a permanent 18-month deal two weeks later. However, after making only seven appearances for Grimsby, he was released in May 2007.
Morecambe Grand joined Football League newcomers Morecambe in August 2007 on a 12-month deal, after a successful trial with the Christie Park club.
Non-League After leaving Morecambe in the close season, Grand signed for Northwich Victoria on non-contract terms in August 2008. He signed a permanent contract until the end of the 2008–09 season in October.
Grand signed for Fleetwood Town prior to the start of the 2010–11 season and in October 2010, he joined Mansfield Town on loan making 9 appearances in the Conference League and FA Cup. In January 2011, he joined Aldershot Town on loan.
Prior to the start of the 2011–12 season Grand moved down the west coast of England to join Southport on a free transfer and made his competitive club debut on 13 August 2011 on the first day of the 2011–12 season. He scored his first Southport goal, heading their second goal in a 3–2 away win over Forest Green. Grand scored 3 more goals for Southport in the 2011–12 season, also captaining the side on occasion in the absence of club captain, Alan Moogan. On 28 June 2012, Grand was appointed Southport's new club captain, following Moogan's move to becoming player/coach.
Following his release from Southport, it was announced on the club site he joined Telford on 10 May 2013, linking up again with Liam Watson. On 26 April 2014 he won promotion to the Conference Premier with Telford after they clinched the Conference North title on the final game of the season.
On 20 May 2014, Grand joined Barrow, and was named as team captain in August 2014 for the upcoming 2014–15 season.
In July 2016 he joined Salford City.
He subsequently joined AFC Fylde.
Chester In July 2018, 34-year-old Grand signed for Chester linking up with his former joint managers at Salford City Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley and extended his contract for further year in May 2019. He restored strong partnership with experienced centre back Danny Livesey, formed earlier at Carlisle United in 2004–06, and rebuilt at Barrow in 2014–16.
Grand played every minute of every regular season game in his second year at Chester but not ruled out his retirement as the season was cut short due to pandemic and future was uncertain. After Chester lost his playoff game he agreed new contract ahead of the season 2020–21 season.
Grand made a 100th appearance for Chester on 2 January 2021 and agreed terms to remain for the 2021/22 campaign. He was released at the end of the 2021–22 season.
Further career In July 2022, Grand signed on for North West Counties Premier Division side Charnock Richard, and scored an equaliser against Padiham on his debut.
Grand joined Lancaster City in the summer of 2023. During his first spell at the club, he made 24 league appearances and scored three league goals, while recording six goals in all competitions. Three of his goals came in an FA Cup qualifying victory over Marske United. He also briefly formed part of Lancaster's caretaker management team before leaving the club.
On 26 January 2024, Grand signed for fellow Northern Premier League Premier Division club Bamber Bridge. He reached 750 competitive career appearances while playing for Bamber Bridge in November 2024.
Grand returned to Lancaster City for a second spell on 25 November 2025 after leaving Bamber Bridge. He made 22 appearances during the remainder of the 2025–26 season, beginning with Lancaster's victory over Padiham in the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy, and made a further three appearances at the beginning of 2026–27. His final appearance was as a substitute in a 1–0 league victory over Bury before his departure was announced in September 2026.
On 7 September 2026, Grand returned to Charnock Richard for a second spell.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsRochdale2002–03Third Division2325000002822003–04Third Division170201010210Total402701010492Carlisle United2004–05Conference Premier23240—2One appearance in Football League Trophy and one appearance in FA Trophy12932005–06League Two8210104Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy11432006–07League One4000101060Total354502072496Grimsby Town2006–07League Two7000—0070Morecambe2007–08League Two61101040121Northwich Victoria2008–09Conference Premier34500—003452009–10Conference North29410—00304Total63910—00649Fleetwood Town2009–10Conference North6100—00612010–11Conference Premier4000—0040Total10100—00101Mansfield Town (loan)2010–11Conference Premier6020—1Appearance(s) in FA Trophy090Aldershot Town (loan)2010–11League Two60—000060Southport2011–12Conference Premier42410—104442012–13Conference Premier41710—20447Total831120—308811Telford United2013–14Conference North35400—20374Barrow2014–15Conference North40400—004042015–16National League40200—20422Total80600—20826Salford City2016–17National League North40900—2Appearances in National League North play-offs0429AFC Fylde2017–18National League35441—2One appearance in National League North play-offs and one appearance in FA Trophy0415Chester2018–19National League North36420—3Two appearances in the FA Trophy and one in Cheshire Senior Cup04142019–20National League North32320—5One appearance in National League North play-offs and four appearances in FA Trophy03932020–21National League North17130—202212021–22National League North36120—00381total121990—1001409Charnock Richard2022–23NWCFL Premier Division411051—7Three appearances in FA Vase, three appearances and one goal in Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy, one appearance in the North West Counties Football League Challenge Cup153112023–24NWCFL Premier Division2000—0020Total431051—715512Lancaster City2023–24NPL Premier Division24333—2One appearance in FA Trophy, one appearance in Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy0296Bamber Bridge2023–24NPL Premier Division110——00110Career total645733954043373181
Managerial statistics
+ Managerial record by team and tenureTeamFromToRecordLancaster City (caretaker)5 January 202426 January 2024Total
Honours Carlisle United Football League Trophy runner-up: 2005–06
Individual Conference North Team of the Year: 2014–15
References
External links