Shimon Gershon

Shimon Gershon (, born October 6, 1977) is an Israeli national footballer and central defender. For nearly 10 years, Gershon was the Captain (football) of the Israel soccer team Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C.. In 2006 he moved to capital city club Beitar Jerusalem F.C., newly bought by Russian benefactor Arkady Gaydamak.

This transfer was not well received among Hapoel supporters , and some had resorted to verbal abuse regarding Gershon, accusing him of infidelity towards his boyhood club. In response, Gershon orgaznized a press conference to address the issue, in which he expressed his love for, and regret at leaving his home club, also adding that it was his right to seek improvement in his salary, and take care of his proper interests.

Ever since, although Hapoel supporters have often expressed and still do express a certain degree of offence and disappointment regarding Gershon's new club of choice, the verbal abuse has nearly died out, and fortunately none have resorted to violent behaviour towards the player, his agents, family, or teammates.

Gershon started playing football from a young age at Hapoel Tel Aviv's youth team. He played his first game for the first team in the 1995-1996 season against Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv. Throughout the years he was at Hapoel, Gershon achieved a lot with the team including winning the State Cup, the league and cup The Double, and the Toto Cup. He was also part of the team that reached the UEFA Cup quarter finals beating teams of the likes of Chelsea F.C. and Parma F.C. on the way, Gershon was integral to much of Hapoel's successes, taking a part in many of the team's victories.

Gershon also plays for Israel national football team where he has made 37 appearances and scored 3 goals. In some of those games he captained the side.

Although Gershon is a high-level footballer he began a musical career beginning with the publishing of his first album with his wife (a model) Mali Levi and his brother Savi Gershon. While focusing on his musical career, Gershon received much criticism from his fans who claimed that he isn't putting enough effort into his football career.