About Simon
SIR BOBBY ROBSON SAID OF SIMON...
"Simon was responsible for overseeing the progress of Newcastle United's goalkeepers when I arrived at the club in 1999. I am absolutely delighted with his work and it is a privilege for me to endorse his goalkeeping coaching... He knows first-hand exactly what it feels like to be between the posts. That in itself is so important. You can't beat a soldier being on the battlefield"
- Sir Bobby Robson
I am passionate and enthusiastic about coaching and developing goalkeeping.
I have dedicated my career to goalkeeping and have an expert knowledge of the position having coached at the highest level and having also designed and delivered the highest level of coach training.
Throughout my career I have worked to enhance the quality of goalkeepers and goalkeeping coaching across the world and have propelled the careers of many players and coaches through my coaching and teaching.
I have been able to work with players of all abilities to achieve their full potential; I recognise strengths and needs and use my knowledge and skills to develop their game.
Coaching at the highest professional level I have supported and gained the trust of the managers I have worked with. Their belief in my ability has meant that I have had the professional freedom to innovate and develop.
I am passionate about outreach and believe strongly in the application of biometrics in early childhood skill development.
I am the Director of Simon Smith Goalkeeping, specialising in Goalkeeping Coaching, and focussing on producing Goalkeeping resources for global practice influence.
I was Head of Goalkeeping at Newcastle United FC from 2015 alongside managers: Steve McClaren, Rafa Benitez, Steve Bruce, Eddie Howe in the English Premier League and Championship.
I held full professional responsibility for Goalkeeping across all levels at the club.
I worked with each manager to ensure that a consistent and unified approach to coaching and team leadership was maintained through times of change.
I have always enjoyed excellent trust from my managers and have been given the freedom to innovate Goalkeeping practices at the club.
During this time, I have coached: Slovakian International goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, Dutch International goalkeeper Tim Krul, Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Robbie Elliot, Freddie Woodman, Karl Darlow, Mark Gillespie, as well as many academy players.
I have used my unique coaching methodologies to individualise training programmes and maximise potential.
Working nationally in this role allowed me to work with the best English goalkeepers between the ages of 16 to 20.
I was also responsible for identifying and reporting on current and possible England Goalkeepers.
During this time, I also worked as Goalkeeping Coach to the England Ladies Football Team.
I was the tutor and course director for The Football Association Goalkeeping Awards from Level 1 to UEFA A standard
I have attended various European Championship qualifiers, European Championships and World Cups.
I have worked with goalkeepers including: Jordan Pickford, Sam Johnson, Angus Gunn, Jack Butland, Freddie Woodman, Joe Hart, Tom Heaton, Jak Alnwick, Connor Ripley and many more.
In 1993 I joined Newcastle United as Academy Goalkeeping Coach.
In the summer of 1999, I became First Team Goalkeeping Coach working under Ruud Gullit and Sir Bobby Robson.
I was Sir Bobby Robson’s goalkeeping coach for six seasons, coaching in The Premier League with goalkeepers Shay Given, Steve Harper, Lionel Perez, John Karelse and Tony Caig.
During this period, I prepared and coached the senior goalkeepers for over 500 Premiership matches, 40 European matches including Inter Toto, UEFA Cup and Champions League matches and an F.A Cup semi-final.
I coached Shay Given for over 5 years, helping him to become a world class performer at the top of his profession. Shay was named in the PFA Premiership Team of the Season twice during this time at Newcastle United.
- SIR BOBBY ROBSON
RESEARCH INTO THE BIOMECHANICS OF GOALKEEPING CANADIAN SOCCER ASSOCIATION
In 2006-2007 I undertook a year-long secondment to research the biomechanics of goalkeeping whilst working as a consultant to the Canadian Soccer Association, working as a coach to the Men’s senior team and U18 team.
GOALKEEPING CONSULTANT LA GALAXY
In 2006-2007 I also worked in the MLS with Frank Yallop at the LA Galaxy, working with goalkeepers Steve Cronin and Kevin Hartman.
PART-TIME GOALKEEPNG COACH between 1994 -1997 CARLISLE UNITED F.C, SUNDERLAND A.F.C., HARTLEPOOL UNITED, WIGAN ATHLETIC
Working with goalkeeper’s including: Tony Caig, Tony Elliott, Paul Pettinger, Alec Chamberlain, David Preece, Mike Hooper, Lee Butler, Roy Carroll, Martin Holland, Jim Provett and Dimitrios Konstantopoulos
PLAYING ACHEIVEMENTS
Professional Footballer • Newcastle United F.C • 1978–82
Semi Professional Footballer • Gateshead F.C • 1984–93
501 games over a 10 year period including 405 consecutive games.
BA SPORTS STUDIES DEGREE • 1995 • NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY
I completed a systematic review of current Goalkeeping practice.
I utilised my playing and coaching experience to design a unique training philosophy and method.
I produced two books and three DVD’s on goalkeeping.
Simon... Thanks to you, who took time to help me grow... i'll always be a 'simon smith' GK. Anyone that works with me usually starts with... 'have you worked with simon before' so thankyou! Keep inspiring all the GKs out there.
Carly Telford
Thank you for everything you have done for me ! It's been a pleasure to work with you.
Martin Dubraka
Thanks Si! Can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me since I was a boy! I definitely wouldn’t be where I am now without your hard work! Thank you
Freddy Woodman
