Simon Clist
A durable and dependable midfield journeyman who forged a long professional career across England's lower leagues with grit and consistency.
Born 1982 (age 44)·English footballer·Birthday: July 13·Millennials
Biography
Simon Clist's story is one of football's unsung professionals, a player whose career was built on work rate and adaptability rather than top-flight glamour. Starting in the youth ranks of Tottenham Hotspur, he quickly learned that his path would be through the gritty, physical world of England's lower divisions. As a combative and intelligent midfielder, Clist became a valued asset for clubs like Hereford United and Oxford United, where his reliability in the center of the park helped teams secure promotions and fight for survival. His longevity, playing into his late thirties for Forest Green Rovers, speaks to a deep understanding of the game and a physical conditioning that allowed him to outlast many of his peers in the demanding Football League.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Simon was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Simon Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Simon's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played a key role in Oxford United's promotion from the Conference Premier to League Two in the 2009-10 season.
- Made over 150 appearances for Oxford United across all competitions during a four-year spell at the club.
- Helped Hereford United gain promotion to Football League One in 2007-08 after winning the League Two playoff final.
Did You Know?
He began his senior career at Bristol City after being released by Tottenham Hotspur without making a first-team appearance.
He scored his first professional goal for Torquay United in a 2-1 win over Rochdale in 2004.
He played for Forest Green Rovers in the National League well into his late thirties before retiring.
“You learn more about football in a muddy Tuesday night match than anywhere else.”
