Simon Christopher Rayner (born July 8, 1983) is a Canadian soccer goalkeeper, currently signed to Three Bridges in the Sussex County League Division One.

Simon Rayner
Personal information
Full name Simon Christopher Rayner
Date of birth (1983-07-08) July 8, 1983 (age 41)
Place of birth Langley, British Columbia, Canada
Height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
Three Bridges
Youth career
2000–2001 AFC Bournemouth
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2002 AFC Bournemouth 0 (0)
2001–2002Bournemouth Poppies (loan) (0)
2001Salisbury City (loan) 1 (0)
2002–2003 Barry Town 21 (0)
2003–2004 Port Talbot Town 25 (0)
2004–2007 Lincoln City 4 (0)
2006Alfreton Town (loan) 20 (0)
2007Torquay United (loan) 10 (0)
2007–2008 Torquay United 13 (0)
2008–2010 Crawley Town 81 (0)
2011– Three Bridges 0 (0)
International career
2002 Canada U23 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of September 19, 2011

Early career

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Rayner began his career as a junior with AFC Bournemouth, signing as a trainee professional in August 2000[1] and turning professional one year later.[2] With Bournemouth having scrapped their U19 side and, as third choice keeper behind Gareth Stewart and Michael Menetrier, opportunities in the reserves limited, Rayner joined Wessex League side Bournemouth Poppies on loan in August 2001[3] whilst continuing to train full-time with Bournemouth. He also made a solitary appearance on loan for Salisbury City in their 1–0 home defeat to Welling United on October 6, 2001.[4] In February 2002, in search of first team football, he agreed to cancel his contract with Bournemouth in order to join League of Wales side Barry Town,[5][6] helping the Welsh side to the League and Cup double at the end of the season.

In December 2002, he played for the Canadian Under-23 team against the United States.[7]

He left Barry in the summer of 2003,[6] joining Port Talbot Town in July that year. At end of the following season Rayner had trials with Newcastle United[6] and Swansea City,[8] but joined Lincoln City in August 2004.[6]

He made his league debut for Lincoln on September 25, 2004, but struggled to establish himself due to the presence of Alan Marriott as Lincoln's first choice keeper. Rayner joined non-league Alfreton Town on loan in January 2006.[9]

He joined Torquay United on an emergency loan on March 1, 2007,[10] making his debut the following day in the 1–1 draw away to Chester City. He played ten times for Torquay before being recalled by Lincoln, this coming after Torquay had already been relegated to the Conference Premier. He was released by Lincoln at the end of the season.

On June 4, 2007 Rayner signed for Torquay United on a two-year contract[11] and despite competition from another new signing, Martin Rice, began the season as Torquay's regular goalkeeper in the Conference.

Rayner spent only a single season at Plainmoor, and joined Crawley Town in June 2008.[12] At the time it was reported that Rayner had been made available for transfer following a falling-out with Torquay manager, Paul Buckle.[13] The Canadian stopper was a mainstay in the first-team throughout his first two seasons at Crawley, although Rayner was displaced by young goalkeeper, Nick Jordan, towards the end of his second season at the club. At the culmination of the 2009/10 campaign, it was announced that Rayner was not to be retained by Crawley.[14]

In July 2011, it was announced that Rayner had signed for Three Bridges of Sussex County League Division One.[15]

International

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He has represented Canada at Youth, Under-20 and Under-23 levels.

References

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  1. ^ "Machin fills Cherries' keeper spot". BBC Sport. August 9, 2000. Retrieved May 30, 2008.
  2. ^ "Simon Rayner". AFC Bournemouth. July 23, 2001. Retrieved October 10, 2008.
  3. ^ "Rayner looks to international promotion". AFC Bournemouth. August 30, 2001. Retrieved October 10, 2008.
  4. ^ "Simon Rayner Player Details Seasons 2001–2002". SoccerFactsUK.co.uk. Retrieved October 10, 2008.
  5. ^ "O'Driscoll explains Rayner move". AFC Bournemouth. February 5, 2002. Retrieved October 10, 2008.
  6. ^ a b c d "Newsham becomes first new Gladiators signing of the summer | Non League Daily". Archived from the original on January 6, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. ^ "Canada defeats USA 2–0". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007.
  8. ^ "Swans continue keeper hunt". July 15, 2004 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
  9. ^ "Imps keeper is loaned to Alfreton". January 20, 2006 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
  10. ^ "Ailing Torquay seal treble swoop". March 2, 2007 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
  11. ^ "Torquay sign ex-Imps goalkeeper". June 4, 2007 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
  12. ^ "Town sign new keeper - Crawley Observer". August 20, 2008. Archived from the original on August 20, 2008.
  13. ^ "RAYNER JOINS CRAWLEY". NonLeagueDaily.com. June 29, 2008. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  14. ^ "Rayner released by Crawley".
  15. ^ "What a surprise... (Facebook)".
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