IN the second part of ‘Blast from the Past’ with Simon Gribben, the Newcastle striker reflects on rebuilding his career in the wake of the 1999 Irish Cup final incident, the controversial move from his GAA club, Bryansford, to arch-rivals Castlewellan and returning to Amateur League football at the age of 46.
Following the end of his Cliftonville career, Simon returned home, re-joining Tollymore United before moving back to his first club, Newcastle.
Simon’s goals helped the Seasiders to an Amateur League 2B title victory and Cochrane Corry Cup double in 2001, earning him selection for the Amateur League representative squad that took on a Scottish AFA team at Stark’s Park, home of Raith Rovers, for the Britton Rosebowl at the end of the 2000/01 season.
He was the only second division player in that Amateur League squad and his superb form back in the league where his senior soccer journey started prompted talks regarding a return to Cliftonville, but a second bite at the Solitude cherry never materialised.
Instead, an opportunity to join then-second tier outfit Donegal Celtic arose, but there was to be a cruel twist of fate on the day he was due to sign a contract with the Suffolk Road side.
“On the day I was going to sign the contract, we were playing Crumlin Star in a pre-season game. In the 89th minute, the ball was there, I was fully committed to the challenge.
“I ended up outstretching my foot and tearing my ankle ligaments, so that was that,” Simon explained.
Read the full story about how Simon fought his way back to play competitive football in the current issue.