Simon Ross Mensing (born 27 June 1982) is a German former professional footballer who played as a centre back.

During his career Mensing has played for 10 different clubs, including spells with Wimbledon in England; Stenhousemuir, Clyde, St Johnstone, Motherwell, Hamilton Academical, Greenock Morton, Raith Rovers, Livingston and Airdrieonians in Scotland; and Atlanta Silverbacks and Carolina RailHawks in America.

Club career Clyde In 2001, Mensing joined Clyde on loan from Wimbledon. He quickly became a regular in his right back role, and won the Young Player of the Year award in his first season. He joined Clyde permanently in May 2002. Mensing became a huge fans favourite, with his aggressive style of play and was given the nickname "Gunter" due to his German roots. His versatility was also an important feature of his game, playing in every defensive role, as well as midfield on several occasions, and occasionally as a striker.

St Johnstone Mensing scored the only goal of the game in St Johnstone's win at Queen of the South in the second league game of the 2006–07 season. On 28 February 2007, Mensing was named as the BBC's Man of the Match in St Johnstone's televised 2–1 Scottish Cup win at Motherwell, a result which took the Perth club into their second cup semi-final of the season.Simon reflects on cup win St Johnstone FC

Hamilton Academical Mensing moved from Motherwell to local rivals Hamilton Academical on a three-month loan deal in September 2007, after finding it difficult to progress beyond being a squad player. After extending the deal for an additional month Hamilton then signed Mensing permanently on 18 January 2008.Mensing leaves for Hamilton – Motherwell FC He won promotion to the Scottish Premier League with the Accies in 2007–08 as Division One champions. Mensing was banned for a month in 2011 for testing for a banned substance methylhexanamine. The positive urine test was taken after the game against Aberdeen on 29 December. He missed five games for Hamilton in total. Mensing revealed that the substance was in a dietary supplement he had been taking purchased of the high street and he had taken advice before taking and believed there to be no banned substances in it. Hamilton and Mensing only revealed details of the ban after it had been served. He was banned between 29 January and 28 February 2011. Despite the ban, Mensing maintained his innocent for testing for a banned substance methylhexanamine. Mensing left Hamilton after season 2011–12 after spending five years at the club.

Raith Rovers After being released by Hamilton Academical, Mensing went on trial with Morton for most of the summer 2012 pre-season, and played as a trialist in a 1–1 draw with his former club Hamilton. On 14 September 2012, Mensing signed for Raith Rovers on a one-year contract despite Hamilton offering him a new contract. On his debut against Airdrie United, he got the man of the match award and his performance was praised by manager Grant Murray. Mensing scored his first goal for Raith Rovers in a 4–4 draw with Fife neighbours Cowdenbeath.

Livingston On 22 May 2013, Mensing signed for Livingston on a two-year contract. He was named captain of his new club on 10 July 2013, and scored a penalty on his competitive debut on 3 August 2013 in a Scottish Challenge Cup match against Berwick Rangers. Following a serious knee injury Mensing failed to hold down a regular place in the Livingston team, and was released from his contract by mutual consent on 30 January 2015.

USA Soccer On 27 January 2015, Coach Gary Smith bolstered the Atlanta backline with the signings of Mensing and fellow Englishman Paul Black. However he left the club in January 2016 due to the side folding after failing to find local ownership. Returning to Scotland, Mensing trained with Scottish League One side Dunfermline Athletic with a view to signing for the Pars who were suffering an injury crisis, with four defenders out through injury.

However, Mensing opted to stay in America and signed with Carolina RailHawks of the North American Soccer League on 22 January 2016.

Return to Scotland After leaving Carolina RailHawks, Mensing signed for Scottish League One club Airdrieonians on 27 January 2017, in a deal until the end of the 2016–17 season. After 17 appearances for the club, Mensing was released in May 2017, signing for fellow League One club Forfar Athletic shortly after.

Coaching career Mensing began his coaching career as a youth coach at Partick Thistle in January 2019.

Career statistics

+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueScottish CupLeague CupOtherTotal DivisionAppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoalsStenhousemuir (loan)2000–01Second Division151000000151Clyde (loan)2001–02First Division231210000252Clyde2002–03First Division35410101Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup03842003–043102020203702004–05300402020380Clyde total9647050501134St Johnstone2005–06First Division2930020113242006–07334505130465St Johnstone total627507141789Motherwell2007–08Premier League2000200040Hamilton Academical (loan)2007–08First Division175100000185Hamilton Academical2008–09Premier League3362020~~3762009–103782111~~40102010–113031010~~3232011–12First Division342201030402Hamilton total1341971513014921Greenock Morton (trial)2012–13First Division1000000010Raith Rovers2012–13First Division271201000301Livingston2013–14Championship2721030113232014–156010000070Livingston total332203011393Atlanta Silverbacks2015NASL280200000300Carolina RailHawks2016NASL190200000210Airdrieonians2016–17League One15000002Appearances in the Championship play-offs0170Forfar Athletic2017–18League One70004000110Career total4794030227215255146

Honours Clyde Scottish First Division: (Runners-up) (2): 2002–03, 2003–04

Hamilton Academical Scottish First Division: 2007–08 Scottish Challenge Cup: (Runners-up): 2011–12

References

External links