Elliot Simoes signs for Barnsley FC

FC United’s explosive winger Elliot Simoes (19) has joined League One side Barnsley for an undisclosed fee - Having joined FC United at the age of 16, he progressed through FCs Academy, Youth and Reserve Teams - Simoes made his first team debut in April 2018 and would go on to make 23 appearances for FC United.



(photo: wilkinson-photo.com)

Listen to FC United Manager Neil Reynolds speaking highly of Elliot Simoes (1.20 minutes into this week’s FCUMRadio Podcast).

LISTEN HERE >>>

Portuguese-born Elliot Jorge Simoes Inacio (b 20.12.1999) moved to Manchester in his early teens and joined FC United’s Academy at the age of 16.

On 21st Sept 2016, he made his first appearance in an FC United shirt for the club’s Academy ‘A’ side scoring twice. A week later he made his debut, (as a second half substitute), for FCs United’s Youth team against Altrincham in a 5-2 win, where yet again he would find the back of the net on two occasions.

The following February Simoes made his debut for FCs Reserves in a 7-4 win away at RIASA South playing alongside FC United’s record goalscorer Tom Greaves. Simoes, wearing the number 11 shirt, scored FC United’s sixth goal.


(4.55 minutes into the clip)

The following year, on 31st March 2018 he was named in FC United’s first team squad away at Leamington. On 14th April he made his first team debut coming on as a substitute against Darlington at Broadhurst Park.

Despite appearing in all-but-two pre-season friendlies at the start of the 2018/19 season, Simoes only featured twice in the first ten league matches, before making his FA Cup debut as a substitute at home to Colne in mid-September. Two weeks later he was in the starting eleven in FC United’s Manchester Premier Cup 2-0 victory away at Glossop North End, scoring both goals.


(5:35 and 10.53 minutes into the clip)

Since the arrival of FC United’s new Manager, Neil Reynolds, in mid October, Simoes has started 13 (out of a possible 17) games for the Red Rebels. On 3rd November he put in a man of the match performance in FCs 3-0 away win at Blyth Spartans and was subsequently named in the Non-League’s Paper National League North/South Team of the Day. FC United’s Match Report described Simoes’ performance as “virtually unplayable in the first half, skill, pace, balance and a never ending work ethic.” The following month (8th December) Simoes signed a contract with FC United.

A little clip from Saturday’s win?????????? @FCUnitedMcr pic.twitter.com/eLZg5ubSpe

— Elliot Simoes (@ElliotSimoes) November 5, 2018

In a Daily Express article published on 11th January written by Jack Wilson, Simoes was listed as one of 11 non-league stars who could make big moves in January. After receiving a lot of interest from a number of league clubs, Simoes signed for Barnsley, who are currently 5th in League One, on Monday 21st January 2019.

Simoes’ blistering pace and trickery has been a joy to watch, helping to cement himself as a fans favourite amongst the FC United faithful.

On behalf of everyone at FC United we’d like to wish Elliot all the very best as he begins life as a professional footballer in the English football league.

Simoes is one of a growing list of talented players who have played for FC United, who have then gone on to play for league clubs, including Rory Patterson, Oliver Banks, Charlie Raglan, Tom Davies, Danny Williams, Ryan Schofield and Adam Dawson.