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Loan signing Simpson in dreamland
New Peterborough United signing Josh Simpson admits he is living the dream after jumping up three divisions from the Blue Square Premier League to the Championship.
New Peterborough United signing Josh Simpson admits he is living the dream after jumping up three divisions from the Blue Square Premier League to the Championship.Simpson has quit his job as a delivery driver to become a full-time professional footballer at the age of 22 after Posh persuaded Histon to part with their star player.
It's been a long and tortuous road for the midfielder as he slogged his way through spells at Cambridge United and Cambridge City before settling at Histon.
But he is today preparing for the possibility of a dream debut at Newcastle United in front of 40,000 fans. Histon regularly attract gates of less than 1,000 for their matches.
Simpson said: "This is a dream come true and I'm still pinching myself.
"My life has changed so quickly it's difficult to take it all in. I played against Posh in a friendly for Histon last week, I then played for Posh reserves at Luton on Tuesday, signed for them on Wednesday and now I'm in Newcastle looking forward to a game at St James' Park.
"It's been a whirlwind, but I'm determined to make the most of it. My form has been good at Histon in the last two seasons and I always hoped I would get the chance to play in the Football League.
"I didn't expect it to be so soon and I didn't expect it would be in the Championship, but I'm thrilled to get the opportunity and I hope I can make my mark."
Simpson spent a season under the management of former Posh star Jimmy Quinn at Cambridge United, but left to play regular first-team football for Cambridge City.
He scored nine goals in his first season at Histon and added seven more in 18 games this term.
Posh have initially taken Simpson on a two-month loan with a view to making the transfer permanent in January.
On-loan Posh winger Danny Rose has been named in the England Under 21 squad for two European Championship qualifying matches against Portugal and Lithuania to be staged on November 14 and 17.
Rose, who is on loan at London Road from Spurs until January, has won seven Under 21 caps so far. The match against Portugal is at Wembley.
Reserve goalkeeper James McKeown is in the Ireland Under 21 squad for qualifying fixtures in Georgia and Armenia.
POSH director of football Barry Fry rubbished rumours linking the club with giant Crewe striker Calvin Zola.
The big frontman has scored 12 goals in League Two this season but Fry said: "It's complete rubbish. There is no truth in it whatsoever - his name has never even been mentioned."
WINGER Dominic Green rejected a loan move to League Two club Cheltenham yesterday.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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