FC Halifax Town: Simmons making a fine early impression

The Lincoln loanee scored on his debut after just 13 minutes at Gainsborough before netting again in Saturday’s 5-0 thrashing of Ashton in the FA Cup.

His move to Town was only confirmed on the day of the Gainsborough match, with Simmons meeting his new team-mates for the first time in the dressing-room before the game.

An ankle injury meant Simmons was unable to participate in the close season fitness programme implemented by new Lincoln boss Danny Cowley as well as missing around four weeks of pre-season.

The 20-year-old had only played 23 minutes of senior football this season before making his Halifax debut, although he did score six goals for Lincoln’s under 21 team as they beat CGB Humbertherm 15-0 earlier this month.

“I just take each game as it comes,” he said when asked about his impressive start.

“Obviously you want to score whenever you’re playing but if we can get winning then that’s more important.

“If I’m performing well then that’s as important as scoring as well, but it’d be nice to get a few more.

“It’s good to get scoring and it’s good to get playing again because I’ve had a long time not playing, so I’m just enjoying that.”

Simmons has been at Lincoln since he was 10 and has had two loans at Grantham and Boston as well as spells at Spalding and Lincoln United.

“There’s been quite a few but that’s over three or four years,” he said.

“Hopefully this will be my last (loan move) but I just want to enjoy it and get back up the table.

“It happens to everyone. You have to wait your turn, remain positive wherever you’re playing and just do your best.

“I’m happy to be here, I’m playing some football and hopefully I can do really well.

“If you ask any players about the difference in standard between the leagues they’d say there’s never much in it but there’s just a little bit at each level.

“There is a difference but not massively.”

Simmons’ dad Tony was also a striker who played for Sheffield Wednesday, QPR and Rotherham among others.

Son Alex has already got the nickname ‘Simmo’ from his dad’s former team-mate.

“Billy played with my dad back in the day at Lincoln United I think, so he called him Simmo back then,” he said.

“Everyone calls me that anyway.

“I’d say I’m better than him! He was a striker as well but I’ve always liked football growing up - whether that’d own to him or not I don’t know.”