Danny Spiller
Encyclopedia
Daniel "Danny" Spiller is an English
professional footballer who currently plays for Gillingham
in League Two
.
. A product of the club's youth system, he signed his first professional contract in 2000 but saw his first season ravaged by injury and did not make his league debut in the 2001–02
season. Spiller came to the fore during the 2003–04 season when he was player of the season after a string of man-of-the-match performances. He finished the season by signing a contract keeping him at Priestfield Stadium
until 2007. In 2004 West Ham tabled a bid of £750,000 for Spiller which was subsequently turned down by the Gillingham board. Gillingham chairman Paul Scally was quoted as saying "anything under a million is an insult".
Predominantly a midfielder
, Spiller has also played as a striker, and right-back, although his preferred position is in central midfield.
On 11 June 2007, it was announced that Spiller had agreed terms to join Millwall
on 1 July 2007. After struggling with injuries, Spiller only managed 10 appearances for Millwall, scoring one goal in a 1–0 home victory over Cheltenham Town
. On 27 May 2009, Spiller was released from his contract at Millwall.
Spiller signed on non-contract terms with Wycombe Wanderers
for a month during August 2009, before leaving the club to sign for Welling United
on 4 September 2009. After making one appearance and spending 6 days with Welling, Spiller joined League Two
side Dagenham & Redbridge
on a contract until January 2010. His debut for Dagenham & Redbridge came on 12 September when he came on as a substitute for Danny Green
in a 2–1 home win against Chesterfield
.
When Andy Hessenthaler
re-joined Gillingham as manager, he brought Spiller in on trial, and signed him on a five-month contract. He made his second debut for Gillingham in a 1–1 home draw against Cheltenham Town
on 7 August 2010, and the contract was extended for a further year and a half in December 2010.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer who currently plays for Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
in League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
.
Career
Spiller began his professional career with GillinghamGillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
. A product of the club's youth system, he signed his first professional contract in 2000 but saw his first season ravaged by injury and did not make his league debut in the 2001–02
2001-02 in English football
The 2001-02 season was the 122nd season of competitive football in England.-Arsenal cruise to title glory:In what had earlier been one of the most closely fought Premiership title races for years, Arsenal won the championship by seven points. Their crown was won in the penultimate game of the...
season. Spiller came to the fore during the 2003–04 season when he was player of the season after a string of man-of-the-match performances. He finished the season by signing a contract keeping him at Priestfield Stadium
Priestfield Stadium
Priestfield Stadium is a football stadium in Gillingham, Kent...
until 2007. In 2004 West Ham tabled a bid of £750,000 for Spiller which was subsequently turned down by the Gillingham board. Gillingham chairman Paul Scally was quoted as saying "anything under a million is an insult".
Predominantly a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, Spiller has also played as a striker, and right-back, although his preferred position is in central midfield.
On 11 June 2007, it was announced that Spiller had agreed terms to join Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
on 1 July 2007. After struggling with injuries, Spiller only managed 10 appearances for Millwall, scoring one goal in a 1–0 home victory over Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
. On 27 May 2009, Spiller was released from his contract at Millwall.
Spiller signed on non-contract terms with Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
for a month during August 2009, before leaving the club to sign for Welling United
Welling United F.C.
Welling United Football Club are an English football club, based in Welling in the London Borough of Bexley. They currently play in the Conference South. The 2010–11 season was not a good one for them as the club had financial problems, nearly going bankrupt but lots of supporters chipped in and...
on 4 September 2009. After making one appearance and spending 6 days with Welling, Spiller joined League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.
Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club , informally known as Daggers, is an English association football club based in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, East London. It was formed in 1992 after a merger between Redbridge Forest and Dagenham...
on a contract until January 2010. His debut for Dagenham & Redbridge came on 12 September when he came on as a substitute for Danny Green
Danny Green (footballer)
Danny Green is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Charlton Athletic.-Career:Green started his career as a youth player for Charlton Athletic before being let go at the age of 15. Green then signed for Northampton Town earning his first professional contract but moved to...
in a 2–1 home win against Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
.
When Andy Hessenthaler
Andy Hessenthaler
Andrew "Andy" Hessenthaler is an English football manager and former player, currently in his second spell as manager of Gillingham. Hessenthaler began his career in non-league football and did not turn professional until he joined Watford at the age of 26...
re-joined Gillingham as manager, he brought Spiller in on trial, and signed him on a five-month contract. He made his second debut for Gillingham in a 1–1 home draw against Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
on 7 August 2010, and the contract was extended for a further year and a half in December 2010.
External links
- Danny Spiller Official Website at Icons.comIcons.comIcons.com, founded by James Freedman, was initially a football website that provided regular diary updates from many of the world's top footballers and also guest interviews from some of the biggest names in the football world...