Simmy: Tackling Life with Aberdeen and Fergie

by Neil Simpson, Neil Drysdale

Simmy is the explosive autobiography of Scottish football legend Neil Simpson – fearless Aberdeen midfielder and one of Alex Ferguson’s Gothenburg greats. A standout in the Scottish youth set?up, he recalls facing Ruud Gullit and Michel Platini, and earning Scotland caps despite fears his London birth might hinder him. At Aberdeen he became a legend, helping the Dons secure famous victories over Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Hamburg in 1983, three straight Scottish Cup triumphs (1982–84) and league titles in 1984 and 1985. Yet his tackle on Rangers’ Ian Durrant in 1988 saw him vilified, sued for £2m and seeking police protection after his home address appeared in a Rangers magazine. But there were happier times in 2012 when Sir Alex returned to Aberdeen with his Manchester United stars for a testimonial in Neil’s honour; while in 2023 Neil and his team-mates were given the Freedom of the City of Aberdeen. From European glory to the tackle that made him Scottish football’s most polarising figure, Simpson finally breaks his silence in this hard-hitting account of triumphs, controversy and survival.

288 pages, Hardcover

Published May 11, 2026

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this autobiography. Wished some of the sections had been longer.

[Andy Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting read that chronicles both the glory days of Fergie at Aberdeen but Neil’s own life. A must for any Dons fan