Talk:Simon Johnson (footballer)

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*Added archive https://archive.is/20120803001156/http://www.herefordunited.co.uk/article/1412052/Bulls-Late-Show-Shares-Spoils to http://www.herefordunited.co.uk/article/1412052/Bulls-Late-Show-Shares-Spoils
*Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20071006121654/http://www.herefordunited.co.uk/Player?playerId=1178577 to http://www.herefordunited.co.uk/Player?playerId=1178577
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thread_title:  External links modified 

message: Does anyone have any evidence from reputable sources that Johnson actually signed for Hibernians in Malta? Other than a load of websites that have clearly copied Wikipedia, the only thing I can find is that it is listed in his clubs on the English National Football Archive for 2010/11.
Hibernians was added to his article in an unsourced edit in July 2010. Theoretically there is a gap at the start of the 2010/11 season for him to be there (Soccerway shows he only played 2 games for Solihull Moors until January 2011), but Soccerway has the starting line-ups for the Maltese Premier League in 2010/11, and he isn't listed as playing once. Furthermore this article detailing his move from Guiseley to Solihull Moors doesn't mention Malta or Hibernians once.
I've even looked through the Guiseley forum from around this time, and they seem as confused as me as to where he is! But there is no mention of Hibernians (beyond saying "his Wikipedia article says he is playing in Malta").
Does anyone have any actual proof he signed a contract with Hibernians at around this time? Otherwise I may remove it from the article.
Thanks in advance for your help. Nonleagueapps (talk) 08:18, 28 July 2022 (UTC)
replies: text: The Malta Independent names him among foreign signings for the season, but the others mentioned all played and he didn't. Perhaps there was an issue with clearance, or personal reasons, or something. Pinging , who addded it in the first place and who's probably the Maltese football expert on here. cheers, Struway2 (talk) 10:00, 28 July 2022 (UTC)

text: Mind you, he was playing for Solihull Moors on the date of that newspaper report, so it can't be taken as reliable. cheers, Struway2 (talk) 10:06, 28 July 2022 (UTC)
replies: text: great find, I've added it to the article. I think you're probably right in that the move fell through for whatever reason, although that will be very difficult to source 12 years on, so for now I've just left Hibernians in with 0 (0) as his stats. Thanks! Nonleagueapps (talk) 13:33, 29 July 2022 (UTC)
replies: text: now that we know the Soccerway Marvin Johnson appearances belong to Simon Johnson, I think we can rule out him ever officially signing for Hibernians? This source states that he had committed to Guiseley for the upcoming 2010-11 season, and Soccerway shows that the Maltese Premier League didn't start until 11th Sept, by which point he was already playing for Solihull Moors. This source (amongst others) states that he signed for Solihull Moors on loan from Guiseley, and even states that compensation will be due if he signs permanently i.e. he is still under contract at Guiseley. For whatever reason it appears he never officially signed for Hibernians - either due to visa issues, or because of compensation issues, or because it's a completely different Simon Johnson. I'm going to remove Hibernians from the infobox/categories but leave it mentioned in the article, let me know if you agree/disagree! Cheers Nonleagueapps (talk) 23:54, 9 November 2023 (UTC)
replies: text:  thank you for that, particularly the sources. Surprised the Wharfedale Obs passed me by, thought my online searches had been pretty exhaustive... Agree entirely about removing Hibernians from the infobox/cats but leaving mention of the rumour in the prose. cheers, Struway2 (talk) 09:44, 10 November 2023 (UTC)
thread_title:  [[Hibernians F.C.|Hibernians]] Malta