Michael Spillane (footballer)

Michael Spillane
Personal information
Full name Michael Edward Spillane[1]
Date of birth (1989-03-23) 23 March 1989 (age 35)[1]
Place of birth St Helier, Jersey
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[1]
Position(s) Defender, midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Chelmsford City
(assistant manager)
Youth career
–2006 Norwich City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2010 Norwich City 26 (1)
2008–2009 → Luton Town (loan) 38 (3)
2010–2012 Brentford 25 (1)
2011–2012 → Dagenham & Redbridge (loan) 7 (1)
2012–2013 Dagenham & Redbridge 46 (7)
2013 Southend United 9 (0)
2013–2014 Cambridge United 16 (0)
2014–2015 Sutton United 53 (4)
2015–2016 Lowestoft Town 25 (4)
2016–2023 Chelmsford City 110 (13)
2021 → Chelmsford City Reserves 2 (2)
Total 357 (36)
International career
2005–2006 Republic of Ireland U17 7 (0)
2007 Republic of Ireland U18 4 (2)
2006–2008 Republic of Ireland U19 22 (2)
2007–2009 Republic of Ireland U21 6 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 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.[4] Spillane made a total of 38 league appearances for Luton, scoring three goals.[5] He was also part of the Luton side that won the Football League Trophy, beating Scunthorpe United 3–2 at Wembley.[6]

In April 2009, Spillane signed a two-year contract extension with Norwich City.[7] 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,[8] although he missed around half the season with injury. In July 2010, he transferred to Brentford for an undisclosed fee.[9] In September 2010, he scored his penalty as Brentford knocked Everton out of the League Cup on penalties.[10] Spillane scored his first and what turned out to be only Brentford goal in a 3–1 win at Sheffield Wednesday.[11]

He signed on loan for Dagenham & Redbridge, on 17 November 2011, turning this into a permanent deal on 6 January 2012.[12][13]

On 17 January 2013, Spillane signed for Southend United.[14]

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.[15] 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.[16] On 30 January 2020, Spillane was confirmed as assistant to interim manager Robbie Simpson alongside Chris Whelpdale following the sacking of Rod Stringer.[17] On 28 April 2020, Spillane was named as Chelmsford's Head of Academy.[18]

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.[19] Spillane won the Republic of Ireland Under-19 Player of the Year Award in March 2009.[7]

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.[20] Spillane's uncle, Terry, has previously managed Stansted, Aveley and Maldon & Tiptree.[21]

Career statistics

As of match played 15 February 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Norwich City 2005–06[22] Championship 2 0 1 0 0 0 — 3 0
2006–07[23] Championship 5 0 0 0 2 0 — 7 0
2007–08[24] Championship 6 0 1 0 1 0 — 8 0
2009–10[8] League One 13 1 0 0 2 0 1[a] 0 16 1
Total 26 1 2 0 5 0 1 0 34 1
Luton Town (loan) 2008–09[4] League Two 39 3 3 1 1 0 6[a] 0 49 4
Brentford 2010–11[11] League One 24 1 1 0 2 0 4[a] 0 31 1
2011–12[25] League One 1 0 — 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total 25 1 1 0 2 0 4 0 32 1
Dagenham & Redbridge 2011–12[25] League Two 29 4 4 0 — — 33 4
2012–13[26] League Two 24 4 1 0 1 0 1[a] 1 27 5
Total 53 8 5 0 1 0 1 1 60 9
Southend United 2012–13[26] League Two 9 0 — — — 9 0
Cambridge United 2013–14[27] Conference Premier 16 0 0 0 — 4[b] 0 20 0
Sutton United 2013–14[27] Conference South 11 1 — — 2[c] 0 13 1
2014–15[28] Conference South 35 1 2 2 — 2[b] 0 39 3
2015–16[28] National League South 7 2 — — — 7 2
Total 53 4 2 2 — 4 0 59 6
Lowestoft Town 2015–16[28] National League South 25 4 1 0 — 1[b] 0 27 4
Chelmsford City 2016–17[29] National League South 16 3 0 0 — 2[d] 0 18 3
2017–18[30] National League South 35 7 5 1 — 4[e] 0 44 7
2018–19[31] National League South 35 3 1 0 — 6[f] 1 42 4
2019–20[32] National League South 11 0 1 0 — 1[d] 0 13 0
2020–21[33] National League South 6 0 1 0 — 0 0 7 0
Total 103 13 8 1 — 13 1 124 15
Career total 349 34 22 4 9 0 34 2 414 40
  1. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in Conference South play-offs
  4. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Essex Senior Cup
  5. ^ Three appearances in Essex Senior Cup, one appearance in National League South play-offs
  6. ^ Four appearances and one goal in Essex Senior Cup, one appearance in FA Trophy, one appearance in National League South play-offs

Honours

Luton Town

Norwich City

References

  1. ^ a b c Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Mainstream. ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.
  2. ^ Phillips, Chris (10 January 2013). "Southend United eye up move for Dagenham & Redbridge midfielder Michael Spillane". www.echo-new.co.uk. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  3. ^ "Three more sign for Hatters". Luton Town F.C. 8 August 2008. Archived from the original on 10 February 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2008.
  4. ^ a b "Games played by Michael Spillane in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  5. ^ Michael Spillane at Soccerbase Edit this at Wikidata
  6. ^ a b "Luton 3–2 Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  7. ^ a b "Spillane player profile". Norwich City F.C. Archived from the original on 14 March 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
  8. ^ a b c "Games played by Michael Spillane in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  9. ^ "Brentford sign David McCracken and Michael Spillane". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  10. ^ "Brentford 1–1 Everton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  11. ^ a b "Games played by Michael Spillane in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  12. ^ "Michael Spillane". www.skysports.com. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  13. ^ "Daggers make Spillane signing". Sky Sports News. Sky Sports News. 17 November 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  14. ^ "Michael Spillane joins Southend United from Dagenham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  15. ^ "Michael Spillane". Flown From The Nest. 11 December 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  16. ^ "Mickey Spillane: "To play 100 games for the Club is a good achievement"". Flown From The Nest. 30 March 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  17. ^ "First Team Update". Chelmsford City F.C. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  18. ^ "Mickey Spillane announced as Chelmsford City Head of Academy". Chelmsford City F.C. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  19. ^ "Ireland U21 1–1 Germany U21". FAI. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
  20. ^ "Football: Wembley winner to face new-look Jersey". Jersey Evening Post. 17 July 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  21. ^ "Spillane is steering Stansted to success in Essex Senior League". Saffron Walden Reporter. 8 April 2010. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  22. ^ "Games played by Michael Spillane in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  23. ^ "Games played by Michael Spillane in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  24. ^ "Games played by Michael Spillane in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  25. ^ a b "Games played by Michael Spillane in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  26. ^ a b "Games played by Michael Spillane in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  27. ^ a b Michael Spillane at Soccerway. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  28. ^ a b c "Michael Spillane – Aylesbury United". Aylesbury United FC. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  29. ^ "Mickey Spillane – First Team – Chelmsford City FC". www.chelmsfordcityfc.com. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  30. ^ "Mickey Spillane – First Team – Chelmsford City FC". www.chelmsfordcityfc.com. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  31. ^ "Mickey Spillane – First Team – Chelmsford City FC". www.chelmsfordcityfc.com. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  32. ^ "Mickey Spillane – First Team – Chelmsford City FC". www.chelmsfordcityfc.com. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  33. ^ "Mickey Spillane – First Team – Chelmsford City FC". www.chelmsfordcityfc.com. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  34. ^ Norwich City F.C. at the Football Club History Database