Miguel Ángel Espínola Explained

Miguel Ángel Espínola
Fullname:Miguel Ángel Espínola Jiménez
Birth Date:5 April 1974
Birth Place:Guadix, Spain
Position:Right back
Years1:1994–1995
Years2:1995–1996
Years3:1996–1997
Caps3:36
Goals3:4
Years4:1997–1998
Caps4:35
Goals4:1
Years5:1998–1999
Caps5:35
Goals5:2
Years6:1999–2000
Caps6:33
Goals6:1
Years7:2000–2003
Caps7:110
Goals7:2
Years8:2003–2004
Caps8:29
Goals8:0
Years9:2004–2005
Caps9:6
Goals9:0
Years10:2005–2006

Miguel Ángel Espínola Jiménez (born 5 April 1974) is a Spanish retired professional footballer who played as a right back.

Club career

Born in Guadix, Province of Granada, Espínola played mostly in his native Andalusia. In his first decade as a senior he represented Guadix CF, Motril CF, Manchego CF, UD Almería, Real Balompédica Linense, Recreativo de Huelva[1] and Algeciras CF.

With Recre, Espínola competed in La Liga in 2002–03, starting in 28 of his 31 appearances as the season ended in relegation for the oldest club in Spain. On 15 December 2002, he scored his only goal to put the visitors ahead 2–0 at Real Madrid, but his team eventually finished with ten men and lost 4–2, with him being placed as a goalkeeper following José Antonio Luque's dismissal and not being able to stop the subsequent penalty by Luís Figo.[2]

In 2004–05, Espínola played in Scotland for Clyde.[3] [4] [5] [6] He returned to his homeland in the summer of 2005, for one final campaign with Granada CF in Tercera División.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Espínola. Geocities. Spanish. 7 April 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091020025317/http://geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1207/espinola.htm. dead. 20 October 2009.
  2. News: Espínola, rey del mundo: goleador y portero. Espínola, king of the world: scorer and goalkeeper. Mundo Deportivo. Eduardo. Palacios. Spanish. 16 December 2002. 24 January 2013.
  3. Web site: CLYDE : 1946/47 – 2007/08. Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database. 7 April 2009.
  4. Web site: Partick Thistle 1–0 Clyde. BBC Sport. 23 April 2005. 24 January 2013.
  5. Web site: Clyde 1–0 Raith Rovers. BBC Sport. 30 April 2005. 24 January 2013.
  6. Web site: Ross County 1–1 Clyde. BBC Sport. 7 May 2005. 24 January 2013.