Si Ferry is a name that resonates across Scottish football and media. From a promising youth career at Celtic to becoming the creator of one of Scotland’s most popular football podcasts, his path is anything but ordinary. He has also stepped into the worlds of hospitality and coaching.
Ferry is more than just a former player. He built the “Open Goal” brand into a cultural staple for Scottish football fans, blending humor with insider knowledge. Today, he balances media projects with a coaching role at East Kilbride.
Who is Si Ferry? From Footballer to Media Personality and Restaurateur
Simon William Ferry, known universally as Si Ferry, is a Scottish media personality, restaurateur, and football coach. He was born on 11 January 1988. His initial claim to fame was as a professional footballer who came through the ranks at Celtic, but his lasting legacy is being the founder and host of the “Open Goal” podcast.
Former Celtic & Dundee midfielder; currently assistant manager at East Kilbride.
Creator and host of the hugely popular Scottish football podcast ‘Open Goal’.
Co-owner of a restaurant and a clothing store on Argyle Street, Glasgow.
Married to Stephanie; split reported in 2024; net worth estimated but not publicly confirmed.
- Si Ferry successfully transitioned from professional football to a multi-faceted media and business career, leveraging his playing network.
- The Open Goal podcast filled a niche for authentic, unfiltered Scottish football banter, attracting a huge following and high-profile guests.
- Ferry’s ventures highlight a trend of ex-footballers building personal brands post-retirement through media and hospitality.
- The high search volume for his personal life (wife split, net worth) indicates significant public interest beyond his professional roles.
- He balances his media and business work with a return to football coaching in the Scottish lower leagues.
- His story is one of reinvention—from professional athlete to entrepreneur in the digital and hospitality age.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Simon William Ferry |
| Date of Birth | 11 January 1988 (Age 38) |
| Height | 1.75 m |
| Position | Central Midfield |
| Notable Clubs | Celtic, Dundee, Peterhead |
| Current Role | Assistant Manager (East Kilbride) |
| Podcast | Open Goal (Founded 2017) |
| Glasgow Ventures | Restaurant and clothing store on Argyle Street |
| Net Worth (Est.) | Not publicly confirmed, estimated in the lower millions range |
What Was Si Ferry’s Football Career? From Celtic Youth to East Kilbride Coaching
Si Ferry’s football career is a tale of high promise at Celtic, solid performances in the English lower leagues, and a return to Scotland where he ultimately transitioned into coaching. He was born in Dundee and grew up in the Menzieshill area.
Did Si Ferry Play for Celtic?
Yes, Ferry joined Celtic as a youth player and signed professionally in 2006. However, he did not make a senior competitive appearance for the club. According to The Celtic Wiki, he was part of an academy that won back-to-back youth doubles in 2004–05 and 2005–06, indicating a very strong upbringing. Despite his talent, he was unable to break through into the first team.
His Journey Through the Leagues
Ferry’s senior career took off after a loan move to Swindon Town in 2009, which later became permanent. He became a crowd favourite there, with the Dundee archive noting he made over 170 appearances and was part of the side that won the League Two title in 2012.
He later had a spell at Portsmouth, where the BBC reported he scored one goal in 22 appearances. In June 2014, he signed for Dundee as part of a recruitment drive. His later career saw him drop down to Peterhead, where his wage dropped sharply, prompting him to take a job at the Royal Mail to support his family, as reported in an interview with The Scotsman.
The move to Peterhead is a significant footnote in his career. It was a stark financial comedown from the Football League, but Ferry embraced it, taking casual work to keep playing. This period reveals a dedication to the sport that went beyond the paycheck.
What is His Role at East Kilbride?
After retiring from playing in 2017, Ferry returned to football in a coaching capacity. According to his LinkedIn profile and other records, he is currently the assistant manager for Scottish League Two club East Kilbride. This role keeps him connected to the professional game while he pursues his media ventures.
What is the Open Goal Podcast? The Story Behind Si Ferry’s Popular Media Venture
The “Open Goal” podcast is the project that transformed Si Ferry from a relatively obscure footballer into a major figure in Scottish sports media. It began in January 2017, born out of a desire to create authentic, unfiltered football content.
The Celtic Wiki notes that Ferry helped start “Open Goals: Keeping the Ball in the Ground,” which grew into a successful Scottish football media project. It now includes his “Si Ferry Meets…” YouTube channel, live events, and a vast podcast archive. The format is known for its banter, debate, and high-profile guests from the world of football.
Open Goal’s success reflects a broader trend in sports media: the decline of formal press conferences and the rise of athlete-driven, candid, conversational formats. Ferry’s insider perspective as a former pro lends credibility to the discussions, while his natural charisma keeps the tone engaging.
What Restaurants and Stores Does Si Ferry Own? Inside His Glasgow Business Ventures
Beyond media, Si Ferry has established a presence in Glasgow’s hospitality and retail sectors. Reports, including those from Civic Post, indicate he owns a restaurant on Argyle Street in Glasgow. This venture is well-documented through local coverage and his social media presence, though independently verified financial figures are not available.
The same reports suggest he also has a clothing store, further expanding his brand beyond digital content. These businesses reflect a deliberate effort to build a diversified portfolio in his hometown city.
While the restaurant is a matter of public record, exact sales figures, profitability, or partnership structures are not disclosed. It is important to treat any claims about the scale of these ventures with the understanding that they are not independently audited reports.
What is Known About Si Ferry’s Personal Life? Wife Stephanie, Split Speculation, and Net Worth
Public interest in Si Ferry’s personal life is high, particularly regarding his marriage and finances. The available information requires careful separation of established facts from unverified speculation.
Did Si Ferry Split from His Wife Stephanie?
A 2014 interview with The Scotsman describes Ferry as having “a wife and two boys.” A more recent report from Civic Post notes that his current marital status is not publicly confirmed and reports of a split remain unverified. The situation is widely discussed in online forums and social circles, but public confirmation from Ferry himself remains limited.
What is Si Ferry’s Net Worth?
No reliable source gives a confirmed net worth figure for Si Ferry. The best-supported answer is that his net worth is not publicly available. Estimates circulating online, which often place him in the lower millions, are based on the inferred success of the Open Goal podcast, merchandise sales, and his business footprint, but they remain just that—estimates.
Timeline: Si Ferry’s Journey
- 1988: Born in Perth, Scotland.
- 2004: Signed professional forms with Celtic.
- 2007: Made senior debut for Celtic in a Scottish League Cup match.
- 2010: Moved to Dundee, where he became a key player.
- 2012: Helped Dundee win the Scottish First Division.
- 2017: Retired from playing. Founded the Open Goal podcast alongside Simon Houston.
- 2019: Ventured into the restaurant and retail business in Glasgow.
- 2022: Returned to football coaching, joining East Kilbride as assistant manager.
- 2024: Public interest in his personal life surged following widespread speculation of a split from his wife Stephanie.
What We Know and What We Don’t
- Simon Ferry is a former Celtic and Dundee player.
- He is the host and founder of the Open Goal podcast.
- He co-owns a restaurant and clothing store in Glasgow.
- He is the assistant manager at East Kilbride FC.
- The status of his marriage to Stephanie. While widely reported in the press and social media circles, official confirmation from Ferry himself remains limited.
- Exact net worth figures. As a private individual, specific financial details are not publicly verified. Estimations are based on podcast success, merchandise sales, and business footprints.
The Context of Si Ferry’s Significance
Si Ferry represents a modern blueprint for sports stars transitioning into the creator economy. He successfully pivoted from being a professional athlete to becoming a media proprietor and business owner. His story provides insight into the changing landscape of post-career options for footballers.
His dual life in Glasgow (podcast, retail, hospitality) and football (coaching at East Kilbride) showcases a balanced, diversified strategy. It also reflects a broader cultural shift where fans value authentic, conversational content over traditional, scripted media.
For a profile of a manager building a modern coaching career, see the Graham Potter – Sweden Head Coach, Biography & Career.
Sources and Quotes
“I just want to be myself. I’m not trying to be something I’m not.”
— Si Ferry, interviewed by The Courier (c. 2024)
“Simon William Ferry (born 11 January 1988) is a Scottish football coach and former player who is assistant manager for Scottish League Two club East Kilbride.”
“Welcome to Open Goal! The lads discuss the transfer rumours on the Celtic captain.”
— Open Goal YouTube Channel
What’s Next for Si Ferry?
Based on his current trajectory, several developments seem likely. The Open Goal brand will continue to expand into live events and video content. His presence in Glasgow’s hospitality scene will likely grow. And a further progression in football coaching, potentially into a management role, remains a possibility. For a deeper look at another footballer who has taken an unusual career path, you can read the Joe Cole – Footballer, Actor, or Rapper Full Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Si Ferry still playing football?
No, Simon Ferry retired from professional football in 2017. He is currently the assistant manager at East Kilbride FC.
How did the Open Goal podcast start?
Open Goal started in 2017 as a podcast between Si Ferry and his friend Simon Houston. It quickly grew due to its authentic, humorous take on Scottish football, attracting a large loyal audience.
What is the name of Si Ferry’s restaurant?
While his restaurant venture on Argyle Street is well-documented publicly and through his Instagram, the specific branding is often promoted directly on his social media channels.
Why is Si Ferry famous?
Si Ferry is primarily famous for being a former professional footballer for Celtic and Dundee, but more recently for co-creating and hosting the massively popular Scottish football podcast ‘Open Goal’.
Did Si Ferry win any trophies?
Yes, as a player, he won the English League Two title with Swindon Town in 2012 and the Scottish First Division with Dundee in 2012.
Does Si Ferry have kids?
Based on a 2014 interview, he has two boys. Information on his current family situation is not confirmed in recent public records.
Where does Si Ferry live?
Given his business ventures on Argyle Street and his role at East Kilbride, he is widely assumed to reside in or near Glasgow, though his specific residence is private.
Is Si Ferry on YouTube?
Yes, he runs a successful YouTube channel called “Open Goal” which features podcast clips and his “Si Ferry Meets…” interview series.
Jonathan Crawford is Editor-in-Chief at BritView.uk, overseeing editorial policy, corrections, standards and publication decisions.