John Simms (born circa 1903; date of death unknown) was an English footballer who played on the left-wing for Stoke, Leek Alexandra, Port Vale, Swansea Town, Winsford United, Macclesfield, Northwich Victoria and Stafford Rangers. He helped Port Vale to win the Third Division North title in 1929âÂÂ30.
Simms played for Burslem Juniors and Whitfield Colliery before joining the Reserves at Stoke as an amateur in March 1924. He moved on to Leek Alexandra, before joining Port Vale as an amateur in June 1926. He signed as a professional in October that year, making his debut in a 4âÂÂ0 defeat by Portsmouth at Fratton Park on 30 October. He scored his first goal for the "Valiants" on 6 November, in a 3âÂÂ0 win over Oldham Athletic at the Old Recreation Ground. He ended the 1926âÂÂ27 campaign with six goals in 25 appearances. He hit ten goals in 24 games in the 1927âÂÂ28 season, including a brace against Barnsley and a hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion. He hit 12 goals in 35 matches in the 1928âÂÂ29 relegation season, scoring all four goals in a 4âÂÂ2 win over Nottingham Forest on 3 November. However, he was limited to three appearances in the 1929âÂÂ30 campaign, as Vale won promotion back to the Second Division as champions of the Third Division North. He featured just once in the 1930âÂÂ31 season, and was transferred to Swansea Town in May 1931. He joined Winsford United in August 1932, before signing with Macclesfield in October 1932. He was a first-team regular until missing the final two months of the season due to injury, scoring 11 goals in 21 Cheshire County League matches. Bill Owen was signed to replace him as an outside-left, and Simms was allowed to join Northwich Victoria in June 1934. Three months later, he moved on to Stafford Rangers.
Port Vale