Rayner Joins Torquay United

4th June 2007

Former Lincoln City FC goalkeeper Simon Rayner has today joined Torquay United on a two-year contract, as predicted on The Forgotten Imp last week.

Rayner joined Lincoln City in August 2004 on a free transfer from Port Talbot, of the Welsh League, although the transfer was subject to International clearance.

He has represented Canada at youth, Under-20 and Under-21 levels, and is highly-rated in both Canada and England. He agreed a contract with City after impressing during a trial spell at Lincoln, thereby ending then manager Keith Alexander's search for a new goalkeeper. Prior to his trial, Alexander had given trials to Clint Davies (formerly of Bradford City), and Steve Croudson (formerly of Boston United).

Lincoln beat off strong competition for Rayner's signature, including Swansea City, where was on trial before linking up with Lincoln. In April 2004, Newcastle United gave him a trial, while Millwall were also been linked with him. The signing of Rayner appeared to have finally provided current Imps' goalkeeper Alan Marriott with strong competition.

Rayner spent nearly two years between August 2000 and February 2002 as a trainee at Bournemouth. He left Bournemouth to sign for Welsh League club Barry Town, where he played in Europe. He made 31 appearances for Port Talbot during the 2004/05 season, as well as helping Canada qualify for the FIFA World Youth Championship and taking part in Canada's Men's World U-23 Olympic Team's qualifying matches for this year's Olympics.

Despite this pedigree, Rayner has been unable to displace Alan Marriott as first choice Lincoln City goalkeeper. He had a brief hope during the early part of the 2005/06 season when he deputised for the suspended Marriott. Alas for Rayner, he was dropped when Marriott's suspension had been served.

In January 2006, Rayner joined non-league Alfreton Town for a three month loan spell. During his loan spell, he impressed as an ever present but did make a couple of noticeable errors.

The 2006/07 season is likely to prove a pivotal season for Rayner if he is ever going to make the breakthrough at Sincil Bank. That prediction proved true, although it was bad news for Rayner as he failed to progress at Lincoln. In June 2007, he was released from Lincoln City and he joined Torquay United, where he had spent two months of the 2007/08 season on loan.

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