Robbie Simpson, an experienced forward, became the Grecians’ first signing of summer 2016 after leaving Cambridge United. He remained with the club for two seasons before signing for MK Dons. 

Robbie was on Norwich’s books when he was at school before joining Cambridge City in 2002. After a successful spell Robbie moved on to Cambridge United in 2006 whilst also studying at Loughborough University. After a season at the Abbey Stadium Robbie signed for Coventry City where he spent two seasons before playing for Huddersfield Town between June 2009 and January 2012. He then moved to Oldham Athletic, where he had already been on loan, prior to signing for Leyton Orient in November 2013. It was a short stay at Brisbane Road because, in June 2014, Robbie was back at Cambridge United after a seven year absence.    

By the time he left Cambridge in 2016, Robbie was thirty-one having played around 250 league games at six Football League clubs. It was then, on 25 May 2016, that he signed for  Exeter City on a two-year deal. Starting with Blackpool on 6 August 2016, Robbie was to play 29 first-team games for City during 2016/17 but none after the end of February. He was to score one goal against Colchester on 3 September 2016. 

Robbie, after hardly playing before February, was only to play thirteen times for the Grecians in 2017/18 although this did include both legs of the play-off semi-final against Lincoln City. His two goals came against Cheltenham in April and Colchester in May. 

Robbie was released after the play-off final and, in July 2018, signed a short-term deal, later extended, with MK Dons from where he moved to Chelmsford City of National League South in August 2019. In the following January he was named interim manager of the club and was made permanent in March 2020. Robbie remained in post in 2022/23.

Robbie has a degree in maths and sport from Loughborough University as well as insurance industry qualifications. He was also running a financial planning business whilst manager of Chelmsford.