 Though he failed to find the net, Simpson impressed Palace manager Fred Mavin who signed him the following summer.Simpson made his Crystal Palace debut in the fifth game of the 1929-30 season against Norwich City and scored a hat-trick, and by March of that season, had scored 27 goals in 27 league and cup games.This alerted the big clubs of the time to his talent, and a transfer away from Selhurst Park seemed certain.