Simon Francis is an English footballer born in 1985.
He was most recently the first-team technical director at Premier League club Bournemouth.
Francis made his professional debut for Bradford City just days after playing for England under-18s.
Biography
Early Life
Simon Charles Francis was born in Nottingham in 1985. He began his football journey at a young age, playing for local side West Bridgford Colts. Despite being rejected by both Notts County and Nottingham Forest, he persevered and was eventually spotted playing for South Nottingham College, leading to his recruitment as a trainee by Bradford City in 2002.
Playing Career
Francis made his professional debut for Bradford City on November 16, 2002, shortly after representing England under-18s. Over his time with the Bantams, he made more than 50 starts and scored his first career goal against Crystal Palace. In 2004, he was sold to Sheffield United for £200,000, where he faced stiff competition for a starting position, resulting in limited appearances. He spent time on loan at Grimsby Town and Tranmere Rovers before transferring to Southend United in 2006. After a successful stint, he moved to AFC Bournemouth in 2011, where he played a pivotal role in their rise to the Premier League, contributing to their Football League Championship victory in the 2014-15 season.
Post-Playing Career
After retiring from professional football, Francis took over a local academy, now named the Simon Francis Academy. He returned to Bournemouth in 2021 as an assistant first-team technical director, later being promoted to the role of first-team technical director in 2024. His tenure at Bournemouth spanned 15 years, culminating in his departure announcement in May 2026, marking the end of a significant chapter in his career.
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Career & Clubs
Born in Nottingham and whilst playing for local side West Bridgford Colts Francis was rejected as a youngster by both of the city clubs: Notts County and Nottingham Forest. Instead he joined Bradford City as a trainee in 2002 after being spotted playing for South Nottingham College. He made his debut for Bradford on 16 November 2002 against Nottingham Forest days after he came on as a substitute for England under 18s against France. He made more than 50 starts for the Bantams, scoring his first career goal in a game against Crystal Palace, before being sold for £200,000 by the administrators in 2004. Bradford received offers from Sunderland and Sheffield United, with Francis choosing the latter to be nearer his home in Nottingham and link up with manager Neil Warnock. Competition for places meant that Francis was never quite able to hold down a regular place at Bramall Lane, restricting him to just 15 appearances for the Blades during his two-year sojourn. He spent most of the 2005–06 season on loan with Grimsby Town and then Tranmere Rovers (where he scored once against Swansea City). His final appearance for Sheffield United was as a late substitute at Luton in the penultimate game of the season. On 13 June 2006, Francis transferred to newly Promoted EFL Championship side Southend United for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year contract. In June 2008, he was initially transfer listed by Southend United after failing to agree a new contract, but two weeks later he…
Having since retired from professional football, Francis took over a local academy from ex-Bournemouth captain Harry Arter now named Simon Francis Academy. On 30 June 2021, Francis re-joined Bournemouth in an assistant first-team technical director capacity, supporting Richard Hughes and the recruitment team in identifying and securing transfer targets. On 5 March 2024, following the announcement of Hughes' departure, Francis' promotion to first-team technical director was confirmed, beginning the role in the summer. On 4 May 2026, it was announced that Francis would depart his role as first-team technical director at the end of the season, bringing an end to a 15-year association with Bournemouth.
- Club
- Bradford City A.F.C. (2001–2003)
- Club
- Grimsby Town F.C. (2005–2005)
- Club
- AFC Bournemouth (2011–2012)
- Club
- Sheffield United F.C. (2003–2006)
- Club
- Charlton Athletic F.C. (2010–2012)
- Club
- Tranmere Rovers F.C. (2005–2006)
- Club
- Southend United F.C. (2006–2010)
- Club
- AFC Bournemouth (2012–)
- League
- Premier League
Legacy
AFC Bournemouth
Football League Championship: 2014–15 Individual
PFA Team of the Year: 2012–13 League One, 2014–15 Championship
Clubs
Played together with
- Aaron BarnesCharlton Athletic F.C.
- Aaron BrownAFC Bournemouth · 2006–2006
Aaron CresswellTranmere Rovers F.C. · 2008–2011
Aaron McLeanBradford City A.F.C. · 2014–2015
Aaron RamsdaleAFC Bournemouth · 2017–2020- Aaron RamsdaleSheffield United F.C. · 2015–2017
- Aaron RamsdaleSheffield United F.C. · 2020–2021
- Aaron WilbrahamBradford City A.F.C. · 2006–2006
Abdul RazakCharlton Athletic F.C. · 2012–2012
Abdulai Bell-BaggieTranmere Rovers F.C. · 2012–2015
Abe WaddingtonBradford City A.F.C.- Adam BakerBradford City A.F.C. · 2012–2013
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Simon Charles Francis is an English former professional footballer who was most recently the first-team technical director at Premier League club Bournemouth.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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