
In the troubled early 1950s Noel Simpson was one of the few constants in an ever-changing personnel and could always be relied upon to give a good display. An attacking wing-half, Noel had made a name for himself at Nottingham Forest during the wartime and the first two post-war seasons. Billy Frith paid £8,000 for him in August 1948 and he was straight into the first team. Frith’s reign as manager lasted only a few months but new boss Harry Storer made Simpson one of the focal points of his team. At the start of the memorable 1950-51 season he was a member of the team that saw only two changes in its first fifteen games and headed the table in November. A serious knee injury sidelined him and City’s promotion hopes dissolved. Noel gave nine years service to the club until in February 1957 when at the age of 34 he joined Exeter City, but not before he scored in his final game against Colchester. At Exeter he teamed up with his former City mate Dennis Simpson and played 30-odd games for the Grecians, the last of which was a 6-1 defeat at Highfield Road in late 1957. Noel moved back to Nottinghamshire but died prematurely after a heart attack on the golf course.
Sent off (3)
1954-55
27 December 1954 v Southampton A, clash with Tommy Mulgrew
1956-57
6 October 1956 v Torquay United A
12 January 1957 v Northampton Town H, striking Roly Mils
Own goals (1)
1954-55
12 April 1955 v Millwall H











































































































































































































































