Ernie Simms

Ernest Simms Date of Birth: Jul 23, 1891

Born in Murton, Co Durham in 1891, Ernie played locally before joining Barnsley in 1912 where he failed to win a first team spot so moved to Luton a year later just as the Town were embarking on their second season in Southern League Division Two.

Ernie’s 28 goals from 24 starts fired the Town to promotion in 1913-14 and he top scored again the following season before the Great War brought a halt to proceedings.

Receiving a bad leg wound in Italy, Ernie became a ‘cause celebre’ because of his single minded efforts to get fit and was back to his best once hostilities ceased albeit with a pronounced limp and ungainly running style.

Top scoring again in 1919-20 and 1920-21 he was awarded an England cap against Northern Ireland in October 1921 where he lined up against Luton colleagues, Louis Bookman and Allan Mathieson.

Sadly, Ernie left for South Shields of Division Two in March 1922 where he continued to bang in the goals, as he did at his next club from the same division, Stockport County.

After retiring from the game, Ernie returned to Luton to work for Vauxhall Motors and passed away in the town in 1971.