Peter Simpson (footballer, born 1945)
Peter Frederick Simpson (born 13 January 1945) is an English former footballer who played most of his career as a defender with Arsenal. Career Born in Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk, Simpson initially joined Arsenal as a member of the club's groundstaff in 1960, before signing as an apprentice a year later in October 1961. He turned professional seven months later, in May 1962. He played for Arsenal's youth and reserve teams at first, before making his first team debut against Chelsea, in a First Division match on 14 March 1964; Arsenal lost 4–2. He was not immediately a regular in the Arsenal side, making just 22 appearances over the course of three seasons. However, with the appointment of Bertie Mee before the start of the 1966–67 season, Simpson was promoted to a first-team place, and became a mainstay of the Arsenal side for the best part of a decade. He started out as a utility man playing in every outfield position, but by the time he was a regular he had settled into the centre half position, usually alongside Frank McLintock. Simpson was a leading figure in Arsenal's brief period of success in the early 1970s. After losing both the 1968 and