CITY 2 CARDIFF CITY 2

Canon League Division 2

30th March 1985

attendance 20,047

Scorers
City Simpson(28), Kinsey(32)
Cardiff Withey(50), Gibbins(64)

Ref D Shaw

City Williams, Clements, Power, Reid, McCarthy, Phillips, Simpson, May, Melrose, Tolmie, Kinsey – sub McNab(45)

Cardiff Plumley, King, Mullen, Gibbins, Ford, Tong, McLoughlin, Saunders, Vaughan, Withey, Hamilton – sub Flynn

FROM AN ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN THE CITY PROGRAMME 8TH APRIL 1985
Like any other ambitious teenage footballer, Paul Simpson had mused in an occasional idle moment about the instant reaction he’d give to the scoring of his first goal in senior soccer. He wasn’t sure whether the feeling would be any different or the response any other than the celebration gallop he’s often enacted after rattling the rival net on behalf of City’s reserves (7 last season, 4 this term) or the juniors (20 in ’83-84, 3 in the current campaign).
Well, that scoring debut happened 9 days ago as the highlight of his unexpected call-up to City’s first team facing Cardiff in a vital home League game. The whippet-quick winger sent a side-foot volley nestling home to give our Blues a 28th minute lead.
So, after all the dreams and fantasising, what was the final reaction to that memorable moment “Panic. Total panic. I didn’t know what to do. Usually when I’ve scored a goal I do a little victory trot, or think of some way to show my delight.
“Against Cardiff the fans nearest to goal probably saw the look of disbelief on my face. Momentarily I was in a state of shock. I know it may sound silly, but I was completely stunned. I remember watching the ball head for the net and it seemed to be moving in awful slow motion and I genuinely cannot recall what happened after that,” admitted the 18 year old.
It wasn’t until after the game that he learned about his celebration response witnessed by 20,000 fans. “Apparently I thrust my arms in the air, my team-mate in the reserves, Jamie Hoyland, told me exactly how I behaved. But even as he recounted it, I couldn’t remember. I estimate it was fully 5 minutes before it actually sank in that I’d scored my first-ever senior goal for City,” he went on.
But Paul had something to celebrate with. After the match he was selected as the sponsors man-of-the-match, a magnum of champagne reward for his efforts and remarkable recognition since it was only the young Cumbrian lad’s second full match in the first team.
… Against Cardiff l turned out feeling very confident and the mood stayed with me throughout the match.
“The boss game me every encouragement. Told me to play wide on the left, which is my favourite role, and to go and enjoy myself and do what I did best . . . make attacking runs at the opposing defence. So l felt quite free in my mind knowing that he just wanted a performance from me that was as natural as possible.
“l was satisfied. My goal was a terrific bonus, it left me pretty chuffed. l might not recall what l did after the ball hit the net but I can remember every detail in the build-up. David Phillips got the ball on the right and there was nobody showing up for him so l pulled away to go to the far post. He dinked a cross over to me very accurately, giving me the chance to side-foot home as the ball was dropping.
“l had another chance soon after but the Cardiff ‘keeper rushed out of his area and smothered the ball at my feet, which earned him a booking. At least, from the free kick we scored our second.
The result (a 2-2 draw after a 2-0 half-time lead) and the second half performance (described by manager Billy McNeill as “the biggest  disgrace I have witnessed”) put a damper on the day. I’m consoled to know he says I did o.k.
Final question for Paul. If you don’t recall how you celebrated the goal, how did you celebrate the evening?
“Very quietly. I took my new girl friend (19 year old Danusia Imiolik) for a meal. She’d been to the match, first time she’d seen me play. She doesn’t remember much about my goal, either. Jamie Hoyland was sat with her and said that when l scored she nearly had a heart attack. What a state we both must have been in!” he laughed.