Thanks – Simon Weaver

I could have picked two of Keith’s play-off side for this list, Dene Cropper being the other. However, it would be remiss not to choose the affectionately named Horse, Simon Weaver. He was an integral part of the play-off team, built upon the solid foundation of a back three that also included Ben Futcher and Paul Morgan.

He started out as a trainee with Sheff Weds, but didn’t make the grade and later appeared for Ilkeston and Nuneaton Borough, before being signed by Keith. He made his debut in our 1-1 draw with Kidderminster on the opening day of the season, and although most sources credit Richard Logan with our goal, Weaver claimed it was his. As if scoring (or not) on his debut wasn’t enough just two games later he was sent off after eight minutes against Carlisle. Not the best of starts.

From there he went from strength to strength, and alongside Morgan and Futcher, he made up one of the meanest Imps defences of modern times. He was an uncomplicated player; you never expected him to go on a fifty-yard run or to produce 25-yard wonder strike, but he did what he needed to do comfortably. He kicked the ball away, he headed the ball away and when he couldn’t manage either Paul Morgan was there to clear up for him.

He scored four times for City in that first play-off season, and three of those goals earned us a draw against Cambridge (2-2), Boston (1-1) and Wrexham (1-1). His fourth and final goal of the season gave us the lead in the play-off semi-final against Scunthorpe United. He might have been uncomplicated but he knew when to chip in with a goal.

The following season he was virtually ever-present again as we lost in the semi-finals to Huddersfield, but the arrival of Jamie McCombe and perhaps more tellingly Gareth McAuley meant that his days were numbered. He played just seven games of the 2004/05 season before requesting a move due to lack of first-team opportunities. He first went out to Macclesfield on loan, and then signed for Kidderminster Harriers. Recently he’s been making a fair job of managing Harrogate Town, helping them to achieve their Football League status.