A defensive pawn in midfield, indispensable when it comes to recuperation and mentality. At the age of fourty, an exemplary composure and perfect treatment of his body has allowed Timmy Simons to remain a leader both on and off the pitch.
Simons does not need an introduction. In his first five years at Club Brugge (2000 - 2005), Timmy Simons added two league titles, two Belgian Cups and a Golden Boot to Club's prize cabinet. Club's number 3 was also its captain and ringleader.
Kicking off his career at KTH Diest, Simons made the move to Lommel in 1998, where he made his way to the Starting XI swiftly, and two seasons down the track, this earned him a transfer to Belgian greats Club Brugge. No time to waste for Simons at Club, captaining the team to the title in 2003 and in 2005, and Cup wins in 2002 and 2004. His memorable performances at Jan Breydel earned him the Golden Boot award in 2002. In 182 games at Club, Timmy scored 27 goals.
A new challenge awaited in 2005 where the next stop was PSV Eindhoven. Simons proved the missing link in midfield, and once again girded on the captain's band in 2007. At the Philips Stadium, Simons won three back-to-back league titles: in 2006, 2007 and 2008 PSV was Holland's finest. As such, Simons won silverware in each season from 2002 to 2008, an astonishing feat. In 2010, FC Nürnberg lured Simons to the Bundesliga, where he will be the player with the most games played in two seasons (110).
His importance for the national team should also not be underestimated. Under coach René Vandereycken, Simons lead the Red Devils, and he remained their captain until the new generation took over command. He came close to becoming the record international, and narrowly missed a second World Cup, but there's no denying that Timmy Simons has been one of the most laudable Red Devils in the history of Belgian football.
In the Summer of 2013, the mother ship called, and Simons returned to Bruges, to his Club. A lot had changed since 2005, but it was as if Timmy had never left. His leading skills helpt Club towards more titles. At the age of 40, it seems like age has no hold on Simons. No one really knows just how long the captain will remain active, but one thing is for sure: he will remain part of the Club family.