Si Ferry traded a middling playing career for a media empire — and he calls the first part a “massive failure” himself. The former Celtic and Swindon Town midfielder now hosts the Open Goal podcast, one of Scotland’s most popular football shows, while serving as assistant manager at East Kilbride.
Full Name: Simon William Ferry ·
Date of Birth: 11 January 1988 ·
Age (as of 2026): 38 ·
Height: 1.75 m ·
Position: Central Midfield ·
Current Role: Assistant Manager, East Kilbride
Quick snapshot
- Senior clubs: Celtic, Swindon Town (The Scotsman (Scottish news outlet))
- Position: Central midfield (The Scotsman (Scottish news outlet))
- No international caps (The Scotsman (Scottish news outlet))
- Assistant manager at East Kilbride (Amazon Music (podcast listing))
- Focus: youth development and first-team duties (Amazon Music (podcast listing))
- Host of the Open Goal podcast (The Scotsman)
- Coverage: Scottish football and interviews (The Scotsman)
- Born in Glasgow on 11 January 1988
- Height: 1.75 m
- Marital status unknown
Eight key facts about Si Ferry, one pattern: he has built a multi‑faceted career that spans playing, coaching, and media, yet many details remain private.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Simon William Ferry |
| Date of Birth | 11 January 1988 |
| Age | 38 |
| Height | 1.75 m |
| Position | Central Midfield |
| Current Role | Assistant Manager, East Kilbride |
| Notable Clubs | Celtic, Swindon Town |
| Podcast | Open Goal |
Who did Si Ferry play for?
Clubs played for
- Ferry came through the Celtic youth academy and made a handful of senior appearances for the club.
- He later moved to Swindon Town, where he played regularly in League One.
- Loan spells included Dundee and Peterborough United, though the full list of temporary moves is not fully documented (The Scottish Sun (Scottish tabloid)).
International appearances
- Ferry never earned a senior cap for Scotland.
Ferry’s club career, while respectable, never reached the highs his early promise at Celtic suggested. He himself has called his playing career “a massive failure” because he felt he didn’t put enough into it (The Scottish Sun).
The implication: Ferry’s path through Scottish football shows a player who reached the professional level but fell short of his own expectations.
Is Willie Ferry a footballer?
Clarifying the name
- There is no widely known professional footballer named Willie Ferry. The query may be a misspelling of Simon Ferry or refer to a different individual.
The implication: online searches for “Willie Ferry” likely stem from a confusion over Simon’s nickname “Si” or a simple typo.
Where did Simon Ferry grow up?
Early life
- Simon Ferry was born and grew up in Glasgow, Scotland.
- He joined the Celtic youth academy at a young age and developed through the club’s ranks.
Background
- His family background and education are not widely reported. Ferry has said in interviews that football has been his “only real interest” in life.
The catch: despite a decade in the public eye, Ferry’s early life outside football remains largely undocumented.
What happened to Simon Ferry?
Post-playing career
- After retiring as a player, Ferry moved into coaching. He worked at Celtic’s academy and later served as player‑coach at Peterhead under Jim McInally.
- In 2022, he was appointed manager of Lowland League side Broomhill after a takeover.
- He later described his time at Broomhill as a “major success in terms of online views” but a “personal disappointment in results.”
Coaching and media
- Ferry is currently assistant manager at East Kilbride, a Scottish League One club.
- He also hosts the Open Goal podcast, which he launched in May 2017. The show has grown to millions of listeners and sold out the SSE Hydro twice for live shows.
- According to Apple Podcasts, the show has been active from 2017 to 2026 (Apple Podcasts (podcast directory)).
Ferry’s on‑air success hasn’t erased his self‑critical view of his playing days. He admits that podcasting income is now his main source of earnings.
The takeaway: Ferry’s media career has eclipsed his playing days, yet he still measures himself against the player he might have been.
How old is Simon Ferry?
Birthdate
- Simon Ferry was born on 11 January 1988.
Age calculation
- As of 2026, he is 38 years old.
The takeaway: Ferry’s age is a straightforward fact, but his exact retirement date from playing is not publicly pinned down. The timeline of his career moves can be mapped through club announcements and podcast milestones.
Clarity section
Confirmed facts
- Born 11 January 1988 in Glasgow
- Height 1.75 m
- Current role as assistant manager at East Kilbride
- Hosts Open Goal podcast
- Played for Celtic and Swindon Town
- Open Goal began in May 2017
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth
- Marital status (rumored split not confirmed)
- Exact date of retirement from playing
- Full list of clubs (e.g., loan spells)
Quotes from Si Ferry
“Football is my only real interest in life.”
— Si Ferry
“My playing career was a massive failure because I felt I didn’t put enough into it.”
— Si Ferry, The Scottish Sun
“My time in charge of Open Goal Broomhill was a major success in terms of online views but also a personal disappointment in results.”
— Si Ferry, The Scottish Sun
Ferry’s dual career — player, coach, podcaster — shows that professional footballers can reinvent themselves, but the judgement they bring on their own playing days is often harsher than any fan’s. For aspiring footballers, the lesson is clear: the transition from pitch to studio is possible, but it requires an honest assessment of past failures.
podcasts.apple.com, heraldscotland.com, scotsman.com, youtube.com, muckrack.com, podcasts.apple.com, podcasts.apple.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Si Ferry’s net worth?
Ferry’s net worth is not publicly disclosed. He has stated that his podcasting income is his main source of earnings.
Is Si Ferry married?
His marital status is not confirmed. Reports of a split have circulated but not been verified.
What is Open Goal?
Open Goal is a Scottish football podcast hosted by Si Ferry, Paul Slane, and Kevin Kyle. It launched in May 2017 and covers UK football with an entertaining, sometimes irreverent tone (Amazon Music).
Where can I watch Si Ferry’s podcast?
The Open Goal podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube. The team also performs live shows, having sold out the SSE Hydro twice.
How tall is Si Ferry?
He is 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) tall.
What position did Si Ferry play?
He played as a central midfielder.
Why did Si Ferry retire?
Ferry hasn’t given a single reason for retiring, but his own comments suggest he felt he didn’t maximise his potential as a player.
Does Si Ferry have children?
This information is not publicly available.
George Harry Howard Bennett is a staff writer for Public Journal UK, specializing in UK news, policy analysis, and public affairs coverage. He works under Editor-in-Chief Margaret Ellison, maintaining high standards of sourcing, verification, and fact-checking. Bennett reports on Westminster, government policy, and societal issues, providing balanced and accurate journalism with timely insight.