Eddie Spicer
Encyclopedia
Edwin 'Eddie' Spicer was a professional English
footballer who played for Liverpool
.
, England
, the 17-year old Spicer signed professional forms for Liverpool in October 1939 after impressing manager George Kay
. Like so many professional players, Spicer's career was interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War, due to this Eddie's 'official' debut was seven years after he first signed.
Immediately after World War II
, in which Eddie served in the Marines, Spicer returned to Liverpool and was finally given his debut on the 30 January 1946 in the first post-war competition the FA Cup
. It was a 4th round 2nd leg tie at Anfield
a game the Reds won 2-0. Unfortunately for both Spicer and Liverpool, opponents, Bolton Wanderers
had already won the first leg 5-0, subsequently knocking Liverpool out of the cup.
Spicer had to wait until the 6 December 1947 for his first goal for the club, Aston Villa
were the visitors to Anfield for a league game that ended in a 3-3 draw.
Eddie made 10 appearances during Liverpool's first championship winning team for 24 years in 1946–47, just short of the total required to gain himself a medal. His only medal came in the FA Cup
of 1950, Spicer appeared in all of Liverpool's seven matches including the final on 29 April, the Merseysider's first ever Wembley
final, unfortunately, Arsenal
were the opposition and spoilt the day by recording a 2-0 victory.
Spicer, was a tough, no-nonsense defender, primarily left-sided, and he was a regular fixture in the Liverpool side during the late 40s and early 50s. He suffered with injuries, however, missing the entire 1951–52
season with a broken leg, and suffering the same injury in 1953, an injury that would eventually end his career prematurely.
Despite suffering numerous injuries throughout his career, Spicer managed 168 appearances for Liverpool, scoring twice.
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...
footballer who played for Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
.
Career
Born in LiverpoolLiverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England
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...
, the 17-year old Spicer signed professional forms for Liverpool in October 1939 after impressing manager George Kay
George Kay
George Kay was an English football player and manager of Luton Town, Southampton and Liverpool.The highlight of his playing career was when he captained West Ham United in the first FA Cup final to be played at Wembley, the so-called White Horse Final.He was manager of Liverpool for 15 years and...
. Like so many professional players, Spicer's career was interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War, due to this Eddie's 'official' debut was seven years after he first signed.
Immediately after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, in which Eddie served in the Marines, Spicer returned to Liverpool and was finally given his debut on the 30 January 1946 in the first post-war competition the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
. It was a 4th round 2nd leg tie at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
a game the Reds won 2-0. Unfortunately for both Spicer and Liverpool, opponents, Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
had already won the first leg 5-0, subsequently knocking Liverpool out of the cup.
Spicer had to wait until the 6 December 1947 for his first goal for the club, Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
were the visitors to Anfield for a league game that ended in a 3-3 draw.
Eddie made 10 appearances during Liverpool's first championship winning team for 24 years in 1946–47, just short of the total required to gain himself a medal. His only medal came in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
of 1950, Spicer appeared in all of Liverpool's seven matches including the final on 29 April, the Merseysider's first ever Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
final, unfortunately, Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
were the opposition and spoilt the day by recording a 2-0 victory.
Spicer, was a tough, no-nonsense defender, primarily left-sided, and he was a regular fixture in the Liverpool side during the late 40s and early 50s. He suffered with injuries, however, missing the entire 1951–52
1951-52 in English football
The 1951–52 season was the 72nd season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
season with a broken leg, and suffering the same injury in 1953, an injury that would eventually end his career prematurely.
Despite suffering numerous injuries throughout his career, Spicer managed 168 appearances for Liverpool, scoring twice.
Statistics and honours
- Liverpool F.C. (1939–1953) - 168 appearances, 2 goals - FA Cup runners-up medal (1950)