Mariners marksman Matt Simon to retire after a decorated A-League career

Injury has finally got the better of Central Coast Mariners stalwart Matt Simon, who has retired from football.

Teammates rejoice with Matt Simon after one of his goals for the Mariners. Picture: Tony Feder/Getty Images

A neck injury has forced A-League championship-winning striker Matt Simon to retire.

The 36-year-old marksman hadn’t played a competitive match for the Central Coast Mariners since injuring is neck in a FFA Cup clash against Blacktown City in November last year.

It led to Simon missing the Mariners’ entire 2021-22 A-League campaign.

The former Socceroo had hoped to return for the new A-League season, which starts on Friday night, but has had to make the tough decision to hang up his boots following a 15-year professional career.

“It has been a difficult eight or nine months after getting injured in the Cup game,” Simon said.

“I have tried to use the past few months to try and get myself fit and back on the field and it just hasn’t been good enough to get back to where I need to be to give 100 per cent for the team.”

A neck injury has forced Matt Simon to call time on his career. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Simon scored 66 goals in 238 appearances in all competitions for the Mariners, and was also part of a Sydney FC squad that won the A-League and FFA Cup in 2017.

He made 88 appearances in all competitions for the Sky Blues, and netted 10 goals for the Sydneysiders.

Simon also had a 17-month stint with South Korean club Jeonnam Dragons that ended in May 2013.

“The game has given me more than I ever could have imagined,” he said.

“It has been a great ride with plenty of ups and downs. Some successful times and some hard times but I have loved every single second of it, and I wouldn’t change any of it.”

“To be able to play for my hometown team (the Mariners) in the national competition for so long with so many appearances ... one of my highlights has been able to play in front of my family and friends every single home game.”

Mariners coach Nick Montgomery, also a former teammate of Simon, said the retiring forward was a “champion of a guy and a legend of the club”.

“This club has been built on the foundation of being a small club with a big heart and Matt epitomises everything about the Mariners,” Montgomery said.

“He has the biggest heart and is a guy who you would have on your team any day of the week.”

Simon, who made two appearances for the Socceroos and represented Australia at the 2008 Olympics, will remain with the Mariners in a player welfare and office role.

A celebration of Simon’s playing career will take place at Central Coast Stadium on Sunday when the Mariners host the Newcastle Jets.

Originally published as Mariners marksman Matt Simon to retire after a decorated A-League career