Michael Spillane (footballer) explained

Michael Spillane
Upright:1.1
Fullname:Michael Edward Spillane[1]
Birth Date:23 March 1989
Birth Place:St Helier, Jersey
Currentclub:Chelmsford City
(assistant manager)
Position:Defender, midfielder
Youthyears1:–2006
Youthclubs1:Norwich City
Years1:2006–2010
Years2:2008–2009
Years3:2010–2012
Years4:2011–2012
Years5:2012–2013
Years6:2013
Years7:2013–2014
Years8:2014–2015
Years9:2015–2016
Years10:2016–2023
Years11:2021
Clubs1:Norwich City
Clubs2:Luton Town (loan)
Clubs3:Brentford
Clubs4:→ Dagenham & Redbridge (loan)
Clubs5:Dagenham & Redbridge
Clubs6:Southend United
Clubs7:Cambridge United
Clubs8:Sutton United
Clubs9:Lowestoft Town
Clubs10:Chelmsford City
Clubs11:→ Chelmsford City Reserves
Caps1:26
Goals1:1
Caps2:38
Goals2:3
Caps3:25
Goals3:1
Caps4:7
Goals4:1
Caps5:46
Goals5:7
Caps6:9
Goals6:0
Caps7:16
Goals7:0
Caps8:53
Goals8:4
Caps9:25
Goals9:4
Caps10:110
Goals10:13
Caps11:2
Goals11:2
Totalcaps:357
Totalgoals:36
Nationalyears1:2005–2006
Nationalteam1:Republic of Ireland U17
Nationalcaps1:7
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2007
Nationalteam2:Republic of Ireland U18
Nationalcaps2:4
Nationalgoals2:2
Nationalyears3:2006–2008
Nationalteam3:Republic of Ireland U19
Nationalcaps3:22
Nationalgoals3:2
Nationalyears4:2007–2009
Nationalteam4:Republic of Ireland U21
Nationalcaps4:6
Nationalgoals4:1
Club-Update:15:30, 27 March 2022 (UTC)

Michael Edward Spillane (born 23 March 1989) is a former professional footballer, who played as a defender, currently assistant manager at Chelmsford City. Born in Jersey, he represented the Republic of Ireland at youth international level.

Club career

Spillane signed a full, professional, three-year contract with Norwich City on 30 June 2006. He had already made his first team debut by this time against West Ham United in the 2006 FA Cup third round, making him the youngest ever player for Norwich City to play in the FA Cup.[2]

Spillane was given his first extended run in the Norwich side by manager Peter Grant towards the end of the 2006–07 season. He got his chance in the centre of midfield due to injuries to Youssef Safri, Simon Lappin and Mark Fotheringham. This was after he initially played at right back under Nigel Worthington.

Spillane signed on loan for Luton Town for the 2008–09 season in August 2008.[3] He scored his first Luton goal in the match against Aldershot Town on 13 September. Spillane made a total of 38 league appearances for Luton, scoring three goals. He was also part of the Luton side that won the Football League Trophy, beating Scunthorpe United 3–2 at Wembley.[4]

In April 2009, Spillane signed a two-year contract extension with Norwich City.[5] Spillane went on to play a bigger part in Norwich's 2009–10 League One winning season playing 13 times and scoring once against Leyton Orient, although he missed around half the season with injury. In July 2010, he transferred to Brentford for an undisclosed fee.[6] In September 2010, he scored his penalty as Brentford knocked Everton out of the League Cup on penalties.[7] Spillane scored his first and what turned out to be only Brentford goal in a 3–1 win at Sheffield Wednesday.

He signed on loan for Dagenham & Redbridge, on 17 November 2011, turning this into a permanent deal on 6 January 2012.[8] [9]

On 17 January 2013, Spillane signed for Southend United.[10]

On 23 August 2013, Spillane signed a one-year deal with Cambridge United. He left the club on 31 January 2014 by mutual consent and joined Sutton United.

On 26 September 2015, Spillane signed for Lowestoft Town, becoming the eighth former Norwich player at the club. In December 2016, Spillane moved a tier higher to join Chelmsford City.[11] On 30 March 2019, Spillane made his 100th appearance in all competitions for Chelmsford, captaining and scoring for the club in a 2–1 home win against Oxford City.[12] On 30 January 2020, Spillane was confirmed as assistant to interim manager Robbie Simpson alongside Chris Whelpdale following the sacking of Rod Stringer.[13] On 28 April 2020, Spillane was named as Chelmsford's Head of Academy.[14]

International career

Spillane has represented Republic of Ireland U17s, for whom he was the captain. Spillane also captained the Republic of Ireland U18s to an international tournament win, scoring twice in the Portugal tournament; netting in a 2–2 draw with Belgium and then striking a late winner against Portugal. The squad also recorded a 3–1 win against Georgia.

He has played six times for Republic of Ireland U21s, scoring the equaliser in a 1–1 draw against Germany in February 2009.[15] Spillane won the Republic of Ireland Under-19 Player of the Year Award in March 2009.[5]

Personal life

Spillane was born in Jersey as a result of his mother being hospitalised on the island for the final eight weeks of her pregnancy.[16] Spillane's uncle, Terry, has previously managed Stansted, Aveley and Maldon & Tiptree.[17]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Norwich City2005–06Championship20100030
2006–07Championship50002070
2007–08Championship60101080
2009–10League One131002010161
Total261205010341
Luton Town (loan)2008–09League Two393311060494
Brentford2010–11League One241102040311
2011–12League One10000010
Total251102040321
Dagenham & Redbridge2011–12League Two29440334
2012–13League Two244101011275
Total538501011609
Southend United2012–13League Two9090
Cambridge United2013–14Conference Premier1600040200
Sutton United2013–14Conference South11120131
2014–15[18] Conference South3512220393
2015–16National League South7272
Total5342240596
Lowestoft Town2015–16National League South2541010274
Chelmsford City2016–17[19] National League South1630020183
2017–18[20] National League South3575140447
2018–19[21] National League South3531061424
2019–20[22] National League South1101010130
2020–21[23] National League South60100070
Total103138113112415
Career total349342249034241440

Honours

Luton Town

2008–09

Norwich City

2009–10

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09 . Hugman . Barry J. . Mainstream . 2008 . 978-1-84596-324-8.
  2. News: Phillips. Chris. Southend United eye up move for Dagenham & Redbridge midfielder Michael Spillane. 18 January 2013. www.echo-new.co.uk. 10 January 2013.
  3. News: Three more sign for Hatters . https://web.archive.org/web/20120210205651/http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10372~1361682%2C00.html . 10 February 2012 . 8 August 2008 . Luton Town F.C. . 8 August 2008 . dead .
  4. News: Luton 3–2 Scunthorpe . 18 January 2013 . BBC Sport.
  5. News: Spillane player profile . https://web.archive.org/web/20100314120607/http://www.canaries.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0%2C%2C10355~36101%2C00.html . 14 March 2010 . Norwich City F.C . 3 May 2008 . dead .
  6. News: Brentford sign David McCracken and Michael Spillane. 2 July 2010. BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 3 July 2010.
  7. News: Brentford 1–1 Everton. BBC Sport. 18 January 2013.
  8. Web site: Michael Spillane. www.skysports.com. 18 January 2013.
  9. News: Daggers make Spillane signing . 17 November 2011 . . . 19 November 2011.
  10. News: Michael Spillane joins Southend United from Dagenham. BBC Sport. 18 January 2013.
  11. Web site: Michael Spillane . 11 December 2016 . Flown From The Nest . 23 November 2018.
  12. Web site: Mickey Spillane: "To play 100 games for the Club is a good achievement" . 30 March 2019 . Flown From The Nest . 31 March 2019.
  13. Web site: First Team Update . 30 January 2020 . Chelmsford City F.C. . 30 January 2020.
  14. Web site: Mickey Spillane announced as Chelmsford City Head of Academy . 28 April 2020 . Chelmsford City F.C. . 29 April 2020.
  15. News: Ireland U21 1–1 Germany U21. FAI. 3 May 2008.
  16. Web site: Football: Wembley winner to face new-look Jersey . 17 July 2015 . Jersey Evening Post . 12 September 2021.
  17. Web site: Spillane is steering Stansted to success in Essex Senior League . 8 April 2010 . Saffron Walden Reporter . 21 February 2020.
  18. Web site: Michael Spillane – Aylesbury United . Aylesbury United FC . 25 July 2016.
  19. Web site: Mickey Spillane – First Team – Chelmsford City FC. www.chelmsfordcityfc.com. en. 23 July 2019.
  20. Web site: Mickey Spillane – First Team – Chelmsford City FC. www.chelmsfordcityfc.com. en. 23 July 2019.
  21. Web site: Mickey Spillane – First Team – Chelmsford City FC. www.chelmsfordcityfc.com. en. 23 July 2019.
  22. Web site: Mickey Spillane – First Team – Chelmsford City FC. www.chelmsfordcityfc.com. en. 23 July 2019.
  23. Web site: Mickey Spillane – First Team – Chelmsford City FC. 5 July 2021. www.chelmsfordcityfc.com.