Five years ago, Matt Simon was earning $6.20 an hour as an apprentice plasterer; this week he takes up a contract worth $1.2 million in the K-League.  It’s the stuff football dreams are made of and will no doubt inspire many young players to keep their football ambitions alive.

Like Mile Jedinak before him, Simon’s rapid rise from obscurity to the A-League and now world football is an astonishing story of struggle, determination and a measure of good fortune.  The good fortune in his case was to have his potential recognised and nurtured by Lawrie McKinna (and further honed by Arnie).

From an early age, Simon had dreamed of being a professional footballer and left school in Year 10 to train full-time with a coach.  Like many other teenagers with football dreams, things didn’t quite go to plan.  By the age of 19, Matt was playing in the Central Coast Premier League and had decided that he ‘just wanted to have fun again.’ 

But a trip to England in early 2006 changed his point of view and decided his fate.  Matt’s girlfriend had given him tickets to see Man United v Liverpool at Old Trafford on his 20th Birthday.  Watching Rio Ferdinand score the winner in the 90th minute revitalised his football dreams. On his return home he re-joined the NSW Super League team Central Coast Lightning, where he caught the eye of McKinna.  

But having finally become a professional footballer, Simon had a frustrating goal-less first season in 2007/08, despite The Mariners winning the Premiership.  Amazingly, his debut appearances in the Under -23’s a few weeks later saw him scoring five times in three matches, including a hat-trick in only his third international appearance.  It was the confidence boost he needed to finally kick-start his club form.

And what Mariners fan could ever forget his first club goal in the F3 Derby, scored just hours after he got off the plane from Olyroos duty in China? He would soon go on to be our top goal-scorer and a Mariners’ Legend was born.  His ability to harass defenders would prove second to none.

There are many favourite Matty moments but my admiration reached dizzy heights when he led a famous gutsy comeback against Sydney in October 2008.  I found myself singing his praises (to the tune of Maria from West Side Story)

 “Matt Simon – say it loud and there’s music playing !  Say it soft and it’s almost like praying !”

Readers of this blog will know that I’ve always been a massive fan of the man.  I described him last season as :

“Adrenaline pumping and firing up the boys as he chases the ball wildly like a crazed puppy after a beloved stick.  Madly pursuing any goal-scoring opportunity with scant regard for his personal safety or dignity, arguing passionately with the linesmen who try to crush his creativity.  Who could ever tire of watching such a beautiful sight ?”

Sadly, just as Matt has learned to focus all that adrenaline and become calmer under Arnie’s guidance, we are suddenly forced to face the rest of a promising season without him.  It would be easy to panic, easy to see this as a terrible blow.  But look what happened last season : we started with an unexpected change of goalkeeper and the rest is history.

I have faith that Arnie will find the answer, perhaps once again looking to our youngsters to fill the gap.  Mitchell Duke, a standout player for the Youth Team this season is one solution, and having already scored on his debut for the senior team last year it would be great to see what else he can offer.

But whoever takes his place, Matt Simon will always be irreplaceable; now and forever a true Coastie Boy, an inseparable part of The Mariners who has always reflected all the truly great things this club represents. 

So Matt, what will we miss most about you?  Your hard work, tenacity, boundless team spirit and your sense of community pride.  That rueful little shake of the head you always make on the pitch when you feel you haven’t done your best.  Losing you is heartbreaking but at the same time I am overjoyed to know you have the opportunity to fulfil your dreams and develop your football on the world stage.  We would love to see you back at Bluetongue someday and hopefully in the Green and Gold once again. 

Matt, we wish you all the luck in the world.  And when those Chunnam Dragons fans are singing cute K-Pop songs to you, don’t forget who loved you first.