Lewis Spence (footballer) explained

Lewis Spence
Fullname:Lewis Robert Spence[1]
Birth Date:28 January 1996
Birth Place:Kirkcaldy,[2] Scotland
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:East Kilbride
Clubnumber:25
Youthyears1:–2007
Youthclubs1:Heart of Midlothian
Youthyears2:2007–2012
Youthclubs2:Rangers
Years1:2013–2017
Clubs1:Dunfermline Athletic
Caps1:34
Goals1:0
Years2:2016
Clubs2:Brechin City (loan)
Caps2:13
Goals2:3
Years3:2016
Clubs3:Brechin City (loan)
Caps3:7
Goals3:0
Years4:2017–2019
Clubs4:Dundee
Caps4:31
Goals4:0
Years5:2019–2020
Clubs5:Ross County
Caps5:30
Goals5:0
Years6:2020–2021
Clubs6:Scunthorpe United
Caps6:41
Goals6:1
Club-Update:22:00, 20 August 2024 (UTC)
Years7:2021–2023
Caps7:23
Goals7:1
Clubs7:Hamilton Academical
Youthyears3:2012–2013
Youthclubs3:Dunfermline Athletic
Years8:2023
Clubs8:Edinburgh City
Caps8:13
Goals8:0
Years9:2023–
Clubs9:East Kilbride
Caps9:14
Goals9:0

Lewis Robert Spence (born 28 January 1996) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for East Kilbride. Spence has previously played for Dunfermline Athletic, two short loan spells with Brechin City, Dundee, Ross County, Hamilton Academical and Edinburgh City.

Career

Dunfermline Athletic

Born in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Spence played for Cowdenbeath-based Blue Brazil Boys Club, before playing youth football with Heart of Midlothian and Rangers.[2] In 2012, he joined Dunfermline Athletic, playing for their under-20 squad during the 2012–13 season. In the next season, Spence began to become involved with the Dunfermline first team. He appeared on the substitutes' bench on a number of occasions, before making his debut as an 89th-minute substitute for Ryan Williamson in a 0–4 defeat to Rangers at East End Park.[3] [4] His first starting appearance came in Scottish League One against Ayr United, with Spence playing 78 minutes of the 1–1 draw, before being replaced by Andy Geggan.[5] [6] In total, Spence made six appearances for Dunfermline during the 2013–14 season, with more than half being made as a substitute.

Spence played in Dunfermline's first match of the 2014–15 season, a 5–1 win over Annan Athletic in the Scottish League Cup.[7] [8] He scored his first goal for the club in a loss to St Mirren at St Mirren Park, also in the League Cup.[9] [10] Spence played 31 times for Dunfermline during the season, scoring once, as the team finished in seventh position in League One.[11]

Following John Potter's resignation as manager and the appointment of Allan Johnston,[12] Spence found himself on the fringes of the first team squad and made just one appearance for the club in the 2015–16 season, coming on as an 80th-minute substitute for Geggan in a 4–1 victory over Arbroath in August 2015.[13] [14] In January 2016, Spence was sent to fellow Scottish League One team Brechin City on a development loan to provide him with more game time.[15] He made 13 appearances for Brechin and scored 3 goals, including an "outstanding" 35-yard lob against Airdrieonians,[16] which was nominated in April 2016 as one of the club's goals of the season.[17] His contribution helped Brechin avoid relegation,[18] after they had been bottom of the league for the majority of the season.[19]

At the end of the 2015–16 season, Spence signed a new one-year contract with Dunfermline which would see him remain at the club until the end of the 2016–17 season.[18] After making a handful of appearances for the first-team, Spence returned to Brechin on a one-month loan in September 2016,[20] which was subsequently extended for an additional month. Returning to Dunfermline, Spence made only seven appearances in the two seasons in which Johnston was in charge. He left the club in May 2017 when his contract expired,[21] having made 45 appearances in his five years with Dunfermline.

Dundee

On 22 June 2017, Spence signed a one-year contract with Scottish Premiership club Dundee, under manager Neil McCann who had previously coached him at Dunfermline.[22] After impressing in his first season, Spence signed a two-year contract extension in April 2018, which was due to keep him at the club until summer 2020.[23] McCann was replaced as manager by Jim McIntyre during the 2018–19 season, and Spence was released from his contract in January 2019.[24]

Ross County

After his release by Dundee, Spence signed for Scottish Championship club Ross County.[24] In his first season, he played 21 games, including 15 in the league. He helped Ross County win the title and therefore promotion into the Scottish Premiership.[25] He was also a part of the Scottish League Challenge Cup final squad, that Ross County won 3–1 against Connah's Quay. He spent another year at the club, only making 15 appearances.

Scunthorpe United

Spence made his move to England after signing a two-year contract with Scunthorpe United in August 2020.[26] In his first season at the club, he started in 44 games, including 41 league games. He scored his only goal for Scunthorpe in a 3–1 win over Harrogate Town.[27] After Scunthorpe poor season, which saw them narrowly avoid relegation,[28] he asked to leave because he believed "Scunthorpe wasn't for [him]."[29] His wish was granted and he moved back to Scotland.

Hamilton Academical

In July 2021, Spence confirmed that he had joined Hamilton Academical;[30] he signed a two-year contract.[31] He scored his first goal for the Accies in a Scottish Challenge Cup tie against Hearts U20s.[32] Spence left the club by mutual consent in June 2023.[33]

Edinburgh City

On 4 August 2023, Spence joined Scottish League One club Edinburgh City.[34] He made his debut the following day in a league game away to Stirling Albion.[35] Spence would be released by the Citizens in December 2023 following budget cuts amid financial turmoil.[36]

East Kilbride

On 29 December 2023, Spence joined Lowland Football League club East Kilbride.[37] Spence would win the Lowland League title with East Kilbride in April 2024.

Spence scored his first goal with Kilby in a Scottish Challenge Cup game against East Stirlingshire.[38]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueScottish CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Dunfermline Athletic2013–14Scottish League One6000001070
2014–15260102120311
2015–160000001010
2016–17Scottish Championship2000400060
Total340106140451
Brechin City (loan)2015–16Scottish League One133000000133
2016–177000000070
Total203000000203
Dundee2017–18Scottish Premiership1801020210
2018–191300031161
Total310105100371
Ross County2018–19Scottish Championship15030001[39] 0190
2019–20Scottish Premiership1500000150
Total300300010340
Scunthorpe United2020–21League Two41110101[40] 0441
Hamilton Academical2021–22[41] Scottish Championship201002011232
2022–230000200020
Total201004011252
Edinburgh City2023–24Scottish League One130000000130
East Kilbride2023–24Lowland League100000060160
2024–2540004021101
Total140004081261
Career total2035602021522459

Honours

Dunfermline Athletic

2015–16[42]

Ross County

2018–19[43]

2018–19[44] Hamilton Academical

East Kilbride

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Notification of shirt numbers: Scunthorpe United . English Football League . 62 . 25 September 2020.
  2. Web site: First team squad - Lewis Spence . Dunfermline Athletic FC . dafc.co.uk . 23 July 2016.
  3. Web site: Dunfermline 0–4 Rangers . Kenny . Crawford . . . 30 December 2013 . 23 July 2016.
  4. Web site: Dunfermline 0 Rangers 4 . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 30 December 2013 . 23 July 2016.
  5. Web site: Ayr United 1–1 Dunfermline . espnfc.co.uk . . 19 April 2014 . 23 July 2016.
  6. Web site: Ayr United 1 Dunfermline 1 . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 19 April 2014 . 23 July 2016.
  7. Web site: Dunfermline 5–1 Annan Athletic . . . 2 August 2014 . 23 July 2016.
  8. Web site: Dunfermline 5 Annan Athletic 1 . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 2 August 2014 . 23 July 2016.
  9. Web site: St Mirren 2–1 Dunfermline . . . 26 August 2014 . 23 July 2016.
  10. Web site: St Mirren 2 Dunfermline 1 . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 26 August 2014 . 23 July 2016.
  11. Web site: Airdrieonians 3–2 Dunfermline . . . 2 May 2015 . 23 July 2016.
  12. Web site: DAFC appoint new first team manager . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 8 May 2015 . 23 July 2016.
  13. Web site: Starting Lineups - Arbroath vs Dunf'mline . . . 25 July 2015 . 23 July 2016.
  14. Web site: Arbroath 1 Dunfermline 4 . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 25 July 2015 . 23 July 2016.
  15. Web site: Lewis Spence goes out on loan . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 12 January 2016 . 23 July 2016.
  16. Web site: Airdrie 0 Brechin 2: Outstanding effort helps City's bid to beat drop . . . 14 March 2016 . 23 July 2016.
  17. Web site: Vote For Your Goal of the Season . Brechin City FC . 16 April 2016 . 23 July 2016.
  18. Web site: Dunfermline Athletic duo David Hutton and Lewis Spence pen one year deals . Ross . Hart . . . 16 May 2016 . 23 July 2016.
  19. Web site: Brechin City 2015–16 statistics . Statto . Statto Organisation Ltd . 23 July 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120502125412/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/brechin-city . 2 May 2012 .
  20. Web site: Spence joins Brechin City . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 23 September 2016 . 23 September 2016.
  21. Web site: Player update . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 5 May 2017 . 19 May 2017.
  22. Web site: Lewis signs . Dundee FC . 22 June 2017 . 22 June 2017.
  23. Web site: Lewis signs extension . Dundee FC . 5 April 2018 . 6 April 2018.
  24. Web site: Andrew Davies: Dundee sign defender after Hartlepool agree to terminate contract . BBC Sport . 10 January 2019 . 10 January 2019.
  25. Web site: Paterson. Colin. 2019-08-02. Scottish Championship 2019-20 preview: Club-by-club guide to new season. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200804191629/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/ayrshire/scottish-championship-2019-20-preview-18807413. 2020-08-04. 2022-01-16. Daily Record. en-GB.
  26. Web site: 2020-08-03. Spence joins the Iron. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210515050520/https://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/2020/august/spence-joins-the-iron/. 2021-05-15. 2022-01-16. Scunthorpe-United. en-gb.
  27. Web site: 2021-02-21. ⚽ Goal: Lewis Spence v Harrogate Town. 2022-01-16. One Football.
  28. Web site: Gibson. Ross William. 2021-05-27. Three Teams Who Could Compete For League Two Promotion in 2021/22. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210529025249/https://anyoldironblog.com/2021/05/27/three-teams-who-could-compete-for-league-two-promotion-in-2021-22/. 2021-05-29. 2022-01-16. Any Old Iron Blog.
  29. Web site: McGilvray. Andy. 2021-09-25. Scunthorpe wasn't for me, I'm happy at Hamilton Accies, says Lewis Spence. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20211120012628/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/scunthorpe-wasnt-me-im-happy-25046954. 2021-11-20. 2022-01-16. Daily Record. en-gb.
  30. Web site: Moody. James. 2021-07-13. Lewis Spence signs for Hamilton. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210715235450/https://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/2021/july/lewis-spence-signs-for-hamilton/. 2021-07-15. 2022-01-16. Scunthorpe-United.
  31. Web site: Hamilton Academical FC is pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with Scunthorpe United for the transfer of Scottish midfielder Lewis Spence.. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210713174623/https://hamiltonacciesfc.co.uk/spence-signs-for-accies/. 2021-07-13. 2022-01-16. Hamilton Accies FC.
  32. Web site: McPherson. Chris. 2021-09-01. HAMILTON 3-2 HEARTS B. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210901213756/https://www.heartsfc.co.uk/news/article/hamilton-3-2-hearts-b. 2021-09-01. 2022-01-16. Hearts FC.
  33. Web site: Thomson . Paul . 2023-06-19 . Hamilton Accies announce midfielder exits as star has contract ripped up . 2023-08-05 . Daily Record . en.
  34. News: Scottish League 1 ins & outs - summer 2023 . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2023-08-05.
  35. News: Stirling Albion v Edinburgh City . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2023-08-05.
  36. Web site: Thomson . Paul . 2024-01-02 . EK signing ex-Accies player was a deal that "fell into our laps" says boss . 2024-01-28 . Daily Record . en.
  37. Web site: 29 December 2023 . @officialEKFC on Twitter . 28 January 2024 . twitter.com.
  38. Web site: SPFL Trust Trophy Results SPFL . 2024-08-14 . spfl.co.uk.
  39. Appearance(s) in the Scottish Challenge Cup
  40. Appearance(s) in the Football League Trophy
  41. Web site: Games played by Lewis Spence in 2021/2022. 2022-01-16. www.soccerbase.com.
  42. Web site: Dunfermline 3 – 1 Brechin City . Brian . McLaughlin . BBC Sport . BBC . 26 March 2016 . 6 January 2017.
  43. Web site: Ross County Secure title and promotion. BBC. 26 April 2019. 26 April 2019.
  44. Web site: Ross County lifted the Challenge Cup for a third time. BBC Sport. 23 March 2019. 23 March 2019.
  45. Web site: Hamilton Accies win SPFL Trust Trophy SPFL . 2023-08-05 . spfl.co.uk.