John was known to everyone as “Simmo”, and Bashley fans from the mid-1990’s will remember him as a brave and agile keeper, whose consistent performances concealed the fact that he had suffered with ulcerative colitis since 18 years of age.

Consequently he was a leading campaigner for the charity “Not Every Disability Is Visible,” whose ongoing commitment is “to make everyone with Crohn's Disease and Colitis feel welcome.”

SImmo joined us after spells with Salisbury and Basingstoke, and later returned to his roots on the Isle of Wight for spells with East Cowes Vics and Newport. In recent years he had been in executive positions with both clubs.

Bashley’s new team manager, Dave Lewis, was a junior coming through the ranks here during John’s time, and he remembers not only what an excellent keeper he was, but how much he encouraged the younger players.

Dave said: “Personally I was stunned when I heard that John had passed away - I was speaking with him only a week or so ago. He was just an amazing human being, and everyone loved him.

“I’m sure our fans from those days will have fond memories, not only of his performances, but also his personality.

“And as someone with great experience at a senior non-league level he was always passing on valuable advice to the younger players, me included.”

Bashley vice-chairman Iain Roberts was a terrace fan of the club in those days and he said: “I remember John as a real crowd-pleaser, a jovial, cheeky-chappy sort.

“He had many great moments with the Bash, and I only ever recall him being on the wrong end of one real blooper.

“We were playing Salisbury at their old ground. It was a bit of a lumpy pitch, and one of the Salisbury players tried what looked a very tame, low shot. John leaned down to make what looked a routine collection - but the ball suddenly kicked up off a divot and went over his shoulder into the net.

“As you can imagine, at that particular moment he was not quite so ‘jovial’ - but we won the game and he was able to join the banter at his expense afterwards.”

Following his retirement, John helped run things at Newport, serving as club secretary. He was also on the committee at East Cowes, where he was also a temporary manager.
An East Cowes Vics spokesperson told the Isle of Wight County Press: “John will be greatly missed by all who knew him - Island Football has lost one of its stalwarts. Sympathy and condolences are extended to his family and friends.”
Newport Chairman John Davies said: “On behalf of Newport Football Club, I wish to send the condolences and the thoughts of everyone connected with the club to the family and friends of John ‘Simmo’ Simpkins.
“We hope they all realise just how loved and respected he was by everyone connected to our club and how much he will be missed.”
That thought is echoed by all at Bashley FC. RIP “Simmo”.