Alistair Sperring Explained

Alistair Sperring
Birth Date:26 October 1963
Birth Place:Hayling Island, England
Position:Goalkeeper
Youthyears1:1980–1983
Youthclubs1:Southampton
Years1:1983–1984
Clubs1:Southampton
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:1984
Clubs2:Swindon Town (loan)
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:1986
Clubs3:Bognor Regis Town
Clubs4:Hayling United

Alistair Sperring (born 26 October 1963) is an English retired professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Born on Hayling Island, Sperring began his career with Southampton in 1983, and later played for Swindon Town, Bognor Regis Town and Hayling United.

Career

Alistair Sperring initially joined the Southampton F.C. Academy as an apprentice in July 1980 at the age of 16, before signing professional terms in August 1983. He made his first and only appearance for the club on 8 November 1983 in the third round of the League Cup against Rotherham United, which the Saints lost 2–1. During the game, the goalkeeper missed the ball with a punch and collided with teammate Mark Wright, who had to be substituted off due to a broken nose.

After a brief loan spell with Swindon Town between August and September 1984,[1] Sperring left Southampton. He completed a trial for Reading in January 1985, and later joined Bognor Regis Town in September 1985. The goalkeeper returned to Hayling Island in 1987 to end his playing career with Hayling United. After retiring from football, Sperring entered the motor industry and eventually became the managing director of Havant Motor Factors, a spare parts specialist.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Swindon Town player profile. www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk. 19 February 2017.