Nicky Spooner Explained

Nicky Spooner
Fullname:Nicholas Michael Spooner
Birth Date:5 June 1971
Birth Place:Manchester, England
Height:1.78m (05.84feet)
Position:Right-back
Midfielder
Currentclub:Hyde United (manager)
Youthyears1:1987–1989
Youthclubs1:Bolton Wanderers
Years1:1989–1999
Caps1:23
Goals1:1
Years2:1998
Clubs2:Oldham Athletic (loan)
Caps2:2
Goals2:0
Years3:1999–2000
Clubs3:Charleston Battery
Caps3:56
Goals3:1
Years4:1999–2000
Clubs4:Chester City (loan)
Caps4:9
Goals4:0
Years5:2000–2003
Caps5:47
Goals5:0
Years6:2003
Clubs6:Hyde United
Caps6:11
Goals6:0
Totalcaps:148
Totalgoals:2
Manageryears1:2022–
Managerclubs1:Hyde United

Nicholas Michael Spooner (born 5 June 1971) is an English football coach and former professional footballer who is the manager of Hyde United.

As a player, he was a defender and midfielder who notably played in the Premier League for Bolton Wanderers. He also played in the Football League with Oldham Athletic and Chester City, in the United States with Charleston Battery and in non-league with Leigh RMI.

Playing career

Born in Manchester, Spooner played for Bolton Wanderers, Oldham Athletic, Charleston Battery, Chester City and Leigh RMI.[1]

He joined Bolton Wanderers in 1987 after signing YTS forms. His senior career with the club was marred by injury. In October 1994 he suffered a broken leg in a match against Burnley following a tackle by John Gayle, and he never played first-team football for the club again. He finally left Bolton in 1999 and moved to the United States, spending a year with Charleston Battery before returning to England to play non-league football for the final years of his playing career.[2] He played for Hyde United in 2003.[3]

Coaching career

Spooner returned to Bolton Wanderers as a youth coach and initially coached the under-8s' team.[4] In November 2011, Spooner was working as the under-16 coach,[5] and in January 2013 he was the club's Head of Youth Development.[6] In September 2016, he was promoted to under-18s' head coach.[4] He left Bolton on 29 January 2021 after 17 years in his coaching roles.[7]

On 8 June 2021, he was appointed as the new Youth Team Coach at FC Halifax Town.[8]

In February 2022, he was appointed as the new manager of Hyde United, replacing former Stockport County and Port Vale manager Jim Gannon.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Profile. https://web.archive.org/web/20120212205844/http://www.charlestonbattery.com/stats_player.asp?pid=92&year=1999. 12 February 2012. 20 November 2014. Charleston Battery.
  2. Web site: Coyle history adds to Burnley-Bolton grudge match. 16 September 2010. 20 November 2014. Chris. Flanagan. Lancashire Telegraph.
  3. Web site: Hyde United Football Club: Database. hydeunited.com.
  4. News: David Lee & Nicky Spooner Receive Job Promotions . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161113022038/http://www.burndenaces.co.uk/2016/09/08/david-lee-nicky-spooner-receive-job-promotions.html . 13 November 2016 . Burden Aces . Bolton Websites . Chris . Mann . 8 September 2016 . 7 May 2020.
  5. Web site: Riley bridges 20-year gap for Wanderers - Spooner. 11 November 2011. 20 November 2014. Marc. Iles. Bolton News.
  6. Web site: Under-14s impress in London. 28 January 2013. 20 November 2014. Bolton Wanderers FC.
  7. Web site: Bolton Wanderers finalises Academy restructure. bwfc.co.uk.
  8. Web site: A new addition to Town's youth team. 8 June 2021. 8 June 2021. Kelly. Gilchrist. FC Halifax Town.
  9. https://www.tamesidecorrespondent.co.uk/2022/02/19/former-player-nicky-spooner-named-new-hyde-united-manager/, Former player Nicky Spooner named Hyde United manager, Tameside Correspondent, 19 February 2022
  10. Web site: Hyde United FC: Matches . Soccerway . Perform Group . 7 February 2024.