By Nathan Jackson
December 9 2009

Described by Ben Sedgemore in the 2002/3 Playoff Final as a man who would block a train if it threatened the goal, Simon Weaver was one of the key players in what many describe as the best defence seen at Sincil Bank for many decades, and the fans have voted Weaver as their 10th favourite player over the 2000-2010 period.  

Weaver was one of Keith Alexander's first signings during his second spell at the club. Joining from non-League Nuneaton Borough, Weaver signed on the same day as Simon Yeo and was one of Keith Alexander's non-League legion that had joined before the season started, along with Dene Cropper, Ben Futcher and Scott Willis.

Simon was straight into the first team and along with Stuart Bimson, Ben Futcher, Paul Morgan and Mark Bailey, formed the best defence in League Two, conceding just 37 goals in 46 League games. However, Weaver also had an eye for goal and even scored on his Imps debut, a 1-1 draw at Kidderminster Harriers, even though the goal was strangely credited at the time to Richard Logan. That would be one of four goals that Weaver would score during the 2002/3 season, the last of which opened the scoring against Scunthorpe in the Playoffs. Strangely, all his goals in the normal season came in drawn games.

Simon Weaver was one of the most impressive of the new signings in Keith's first year, but it would end in disappointment as the Imps were mauled 5-2 in the Playoff Final. Despite the scoreline, the players were given a standing ovation by Imps fans.

The following season saw Weaver continue to be a key part of the defence, but it was the arrival of Jamie McCombe from Scunthorpe in March 2004 that signalled Weaver's time at Sincil Bank was coming to an end. Weaver was the one chosen to make way for McCombe, and although Weaver still continued to make a fairly decent amount of appearances, it was clear that Alexander no long considered Weaver a long term player.

A poor start to the 2004/5 season had seen Weaver play every game in August, but he wouldn't play for the Imps again after a 2-1 home defeat to Notts County. Weaver, who had been an integral part of the side no more than six months prior, was now out of team completely and he joined Macclesfield on loan before signing for Kidderminster Harriers in January 2005.

One of his first games for Kidderminster saw the Imps visit Aggborough and in typical Weaver style, he defended heroically as Kidderminster came from behind to give Jan Molby's men their only home win over the Imps in their five years in the Football League. That was the last time Weaver and City would meet due to Kidderminster losing their battle against relegation.

Throughout the next few years, he would represent Scarborough, York, Boston, Kings Lynn and Ilkeston Town, the latter of which he scored the 94^th minute winning goal in their Unibond Premier Division Playoff Final against Nantwich Town, promoting the club to the Conference North. He left a few weeks later and took up a Player-Manager role at Harrogate Town.

Top 20 Players : 10th - Simon Weaver

Discussion started by theimps.tk (IP Logged), 09/12/2009 23:41

theimps.tk
09/12/2009 23:41

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Normanstanley
10/12/2009 17:50

Steady player , personally I felt the back 4 of McCauley/Mccombe/Ellison/bailey was far, far, far superior.

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