Vivian Sumner Simpson MC (1883 – 13 April 1918) was an English amateur footballer who played in the Football League for The Wednesday as a forward. He is most notable for his time in non-League football with Sheffield, for whom he scored over 100 goals in over 200 appearances.
Personal life Simpson attended Wesley College, Sheffield and later worked for his father as a solicitor. He served in the York and Lancaster Regiment during the First World War and was awarded the Military Cross and mentioned in dispatches in September 1917:
Between November 1916 and February 1917, Simpson was promoted from a temporary second lieutenant to acting captain, while commanding his company. He was promoted to acting captain and to command his company again in April 1917. In September 1917, Simpson was invalided back to Britain after suffering wounds and was posted to a role training junior officers in Sunderland. He later returned to the front and was killed by a sniper "while selflessly dashing through the darkness to check on his comrades" on 13 April 1918 at Outtersteene, near Ploegsteert, Belgium. He was buried in Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsThe Wednesday1901–02First Division5200521902–03First Division3000301903–04First Division72531251904–05First Division6200621905–06First Division1000101906–07First Division8230112Career total308833811
Honours Sheffield FA Amateur Cup: 1903–04
References