Simon Lee Rodger (born 3 October 1971) is an English former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder from 1989 until 2004.
He played the majority of his career with Crystal Palace, including 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 in non-League football 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 club, away at Sheffield Wednesday, at the age of 20 and soon established himself as a vital member of 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 relegation 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 his 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 Brighton.
Personal life Rodger is currently not married, but has been married twice
Career statistics Source:
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCrystal Palace1991–92First Division2201060103001992–93Premier League2321040002821993–94First Division4231040204931994–95Premier League40000000401995–96First Division2402010102801996–97First Division1100000301401997–98Premier League2923010003321998–99First Division1811020102211999–2000First Division3421041003932000–01First Division3302060004102001–02First Division361103100402Total276111303128032813Manchester City (loan)1996–97First Division8100000081Stoke City (loan)1996–97First Division5000000050Woking 2002–03Football Conference1000000010Brighton & Hove Albion2002–03First Division2920000002922003–04Second Division7000200090total362002000382Career Total326141303328037916
A. The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the Anglo-Italian Cup, Football League play-offs, Full Members' Cup, Football League Trophy and UEFA Intertoto Cup.
Honours Crystal Palace Football League First Division play-offs: 1997
References
External links