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John Spencer (footballer)
Encyclopedia
John Spencer is the head coach for Portland Timbers
of Major League Soccer. Spencer is a former professional football player, who represented Scotland
at international level. He last played in Major League Soccer
for the Colorado Rapids
following a career for a number of English and Scottish clubs, most notably Chelsea
.
of MLS
.
Appointed the first head coach in the Timbers’ MLS history on Aug. 10, 2010, Spencer led the Timbers to a successful season in 2011, finishing on the brink of a coveted MLS Cup playoff berth in what was his first season as a head coach and the club’s inaugural MLS season.
Under Spencer’s guidance in 2011, the Timbers opened their MLS era with a historic start, winning their first five MLS matches on their home field at JELD-WEN Field. Portland became the first MLS expansion side to win the first five home matches of its inaugural season. The Timbers’ momentum at home continued throughout the season as the club finished among MLS leaders in goals scored at home (30) and home wins (9). The Timbers success at home combined with energy of their passionate supporters group, the Timbers Army
, has given JELD-WEN Field the reputation of being one of the most intimidating venues for visiting teams in MLS. The club's 11 wins in 2011 ranks tied for fourth with the 2006 Houston Dynamo among wins for MLS Expansion franchises.
Known as a “players coach,” Spencer has already installed an attacking style of play and a blue-collar, hard-working mentality to the Timbers in just his first season at the helm.
Dynamo
as an assistant coach on Dominic Kinnear's
staff. With Spencer on staff, the Dynamo won back-to-back MLS Cup championships in 2006 and 2007. Spencer also served as the head coach for the Dynamo Reserves and led that squad to the 2008 MLS Reserve Division
Championship.
, signing with the club in 1985. His signature, even as a school boy who had yet to play a competitive senior match, proved controversial; Spencer was Catholic
and the club had a strong Protestant culture. Spencer made his debut for Rangers in 1987, appearing 13 times and scoring twice. In 1988, he was loaned by then manager Graeme Souness
to Morton
, where he made four appearances (scoring once) before returning to Ibrox
. Spencer remained a fringe player at Ibrox and after a further loan spell with Lai Sun
http://www.chelseafc.com/page/NewsHomePage/0,,10268~1018936,00.html of Hong Kong was sold in 1992 to Chelsea
for a fee of £450,000.
in the 1994 FA Cup Final.
sold Spencer for £2.5 million to Queens Park Rangers
, then in the second tier of English football, the First Division. Spencer appeared 56 times and scored a respectable 25 goals, but QPR failed to gain promotion to the English Premier League after Spencer's initial season, and in his second flirted with relegation.
, initially on loan, but subsequently for a fee of £1.5 million. Reunited with Walter Smith
, his former manager at Rangers, Spencer's career at Everton quickly stalled, as he struggled to make the grade as a Premiership player. After only eight months and nine games he was loaned to Motherwell
.
. Scoring 21 times in 81 appearances spread over three seasons, Spencer's time at Motherwell was tempered by a series of injuries. His final season, 2000–01, saw three goals. As Motherwell sought to cut costs, Spencer was sold to Colorado Rapids on 21 February 2001.
. Spencer's second year was once more hampered by injuries, but he still finished with five goals and four assists in 13 games. He returned to form in 2003, leading the team in scoring again with 14 goals and five assists, winning a place in the MLS Best XI, as well as ranking as a finalist for the MLS MVP Award.
In 2004, as injuries kept him out of several games, he finished the season with four goals and one assist in 19 starts. He retired after the season.
On 30 August 2009, Spencer was inducted into the Rapids Gallery of Honor at halftime of the Dynamo's 1-0 loss to the Rapids
, appearing as a substitute in a 1–1 draw with Russia
at Hampden Park
in Scotland's successful campaign to qualify for the 1996 European Championship.
football manager Billy Davies
, who has managed Motherwell
, Preston North End
, Derby County
and was recently manager of Nottingham Forest
.
Portland Timbers (MLS)
The Portland Timbers are an American professional soccer club based in Portland, Oregon that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
of Major League Soccer. Spencer is a former professional football player, who represented Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
at international level. He last played in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
for the Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
following a career for a number of English and Scottish clubs, most notably Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
.
Portland Timbers
Spencer has taken everything he learned while playing at Chelsea and other top clubs and as a successful assistant coach for two-time MLS Cup champion Houston Dynamo and put it to work as the head coach of the Portland TimbersPortland Timbers (MLS)
The Portland Timbers are an American professional soccer club based in Portland, Oregon that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
of MLS
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
.
Appointed the first head coach in the Timbers’ MLS history on Aug. 10, 2010, Spencer led the Timbers to a successful season in 2011, finishing on the brink of a coveted MLS Cup playoff berth in what was his first season as a head coach and the club’s inaugural MLS season.
Under Spencer’s guidance in 2011, the Timbers opened their MLS era with a historic start, winning their first five MLS matches on their home field at JELD-WEN Field. Portland became the first MLS expansion side to win the first five home matches of its inaugural season. The Timbers’ momentum at home continued throughout the season as the club finished among MLS leaders in goals scored at home (30) and home wins (9). The Timbers success at home combined with energy of their passionate supporters group, the Timbers Army
Timbers Army
The Timbers Army is an independent supporters group of Portland Timbers, a football club in Major League Soccer—the top tier of the United States soccer pyramid. Its members are known for their loud, enthusiastic support and the raucous atmosphere they create at Timbers games...
, has given JELD-WEN Field the reputation of being one of the most intimidating venues for visiting teams in MLS. The club's 11 wins in 2011 ranks tied for fourth with the 2006 Houston Dynamo among wins for MLS Expansion franchises.
Known as a “players coach,” Spencer has already installed an attacking style of play and a blue-collar, hard-working mentality to the Timbers in just his first season at the helm.
Houston Dynamo
Upon retiring from his playing career, Spencer joined the MLSMajor League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
Dynamo
Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...
as an assistant coach on Dominic Kinnear's
Dominic Kinnear
Dominic Kinnear is a Scottish-born American former soccer player. He is currently the head coach of Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer.As a player, he began his professional career with Scottish club St...
staff. With Spencer on staff, the Dynamo won back-to-back MLS Cup championships in 2006 and 2007. Spencer also served as the head coach for the Dynamo Reserves and led that squad to the 2008 MLS Reserve Division
MLS Reserve Division
The MLS Reserve Division is an USA soccer league for the reserve teams of Major League Soccer.It was inaugurated on April 9, 2005, with the first official reserve game being a 2-0 victory by Chivas USA over the host San Jose Earthquakes, and disbanded after the 2008 season.The reserve division...
Championship.
Rangers
Spencer started his career at RangersRangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
, signing with the club in 1985. His signature, even as a school boy who had yet to play a competitive senior match, proved controversial; Spencer was Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
and the club had a strong Protestant culture. Spencer made his debut for Rangers in 1987, appearing 13 times and scoring twice. In 1988, he was loaned by then manager Graeme Souness
Graeme Souness
Graeme James Souness is a Scottish former professional football player and manager.Souness was the captain of the successful Liverpool team of the early 1980s and player-manager of Rangers in the late 1980s as well as captain of the Scottish national team. He also played for Tottenham Hotspur,...
to Morton
Greenock Morton F.C.
Greenock Morton Football Club are a Scottish professional football club, who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. The club was founded as Morton Football Club in 1874, making it one of the oldest senior Scottish clubs....
, where he made four appearances (scoring once) before returning to Ibrox
Ibrox Stadium
Ibrox Stadium is a football stadium located on the south side of the River Clyde, on Edmiston Drive in the Ibrox district of Glasgow. It is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Rangers and has an all-seated capacity of 51,082...
. Spencer remained a fringe player at Ibrox and after a further loan spell with Lai Sun
Lai Sun
Lai Sun is a football team which played in Hong Kong First Division League from 1988 to 1991. In 1988, the team borrowed the HKFA membership from Double Flower and entered the league by the name of Lai Sun Double Flower. In the following season, it bought in the HKFA membership from Po Chai Pills...
http://www.chelseafc.com/page/NewsHomePage/0,,10268~1018936,00.html of Hong Kong was sold in 1992 to Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
for a fee of £450,000.
Chelsea
At Chelsea, Spencer enjoyed a consistent period of playing in his career. Between 1992 and 1996, he made 103 appearances and scored 36 goals. Spencer featured in the Chelsea team which lost 4-0 to Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
in the 1994 FA Cup Final.
Queens Park Rangers
In November 1996, recently appointed Chelsea manager Ruud GullitRuud Gullit
OON is a Dutch football manager and former football player, who played professionally in the 1980s and 1990s. He was the captain of the Netherlands national team that was victorious at Euro 88 and was also a member of the squad for the 1990 World Cup. He was named the European Footballer of the...
sold Spencer for £2.5 million to Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
, then in the second tier of English football, the First Division. Spencer appeared 56 times and scored a respectable 25 goals, but QPR failed to gain promotion to the English Premier League after Spencer's initial season, and in his second flirted with relegation.
Everton
In 1998 he moved to EvertonEverton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
, initially on loan, but subsequently for a fee of £1.5 million. Reunited with Walter Smith
Walter Smith
Walter Smith, OBE is a Scottish football manager. His most recent job was at Scottish Premier League club Rangers.Smith had a relatively modest playing career, consisting of two spells with Dundee United which was split by a short time at Dumbarton.A pelvic injury meant he moved in to coaching at...
, his former manager at Rangers, Spencer's career at Everton quickly stalled, as he struggled to make the grade as a Premiership player. After only eight months and nine games he was loaned to Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
.
Motherwell
In 1999, Spencer's move to Motherwell was made permanent, for a club-record fee of £500,000. Spencer's signing was seen as evidence of a raised level ambition at Fir ParkFir Park
Fir Park Stadium is a football stadium situated in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. The stadium plays host to the home matches of Scottish Premier League club Motherwell.- History :...
. Scoring 21 times in 81 appearances spread over three seasons, Spencer's time at Motherwell was tempered by a series of injuries. His final season, 2000–01, saw three goals. As Motherwell sought to cut costs, Spencer was sold to Colorado Rapids on 21 February 2001.
Colorado Rapids
Spencer made an impressive MLS debut with the Rapids. In his first year, he started 22 games, and finished the year with 14 goals and seven assists, and was subsequently named to the MLS Best XIMLS Best XI
The MLS Best XI is an acknowledgement of the best eleven players in the league in a given season for Major League Soccer in Canada and the United States.-Winners:*Players in bold text also won the Major League Soccer MVP Award award for that season....
. Spencer's second year was once more hampered by injuries, but he still finished with five goals and four assists in 13 games. He returned to form in 2003, leading the team in scoring again with 14 goals and five assists, winning a place in the MLS Best XI, as well as ranking as a finalist for the MLS MVP Award.
In 2004, as injuries kept him out of several games, he finished the season with four goals and one assist in 19 starts. He retired after the season.
On 30 August 2009, Spencer was inducted into the Rapids Gallery of Honor at halftime of the Dynamo's 1-0 loss to the Rapids
International career
Spencer's prominence at Chelsea saw him gain the first of 14 caps for the Scottish national teamScotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
, appearing as a substitute in a 1–1 draw with Russia
Russia national football team
The Russia national football team represents Russia in association football and is controlled by the Russian Football Union , the governing body for football in Russia. Russia's home grounds are Luzhniki Stadium, Lokomotiv Stadium , and Petrovsky Stadium in St.Petersburg and their head coach is...
at Hampden Park
Hampden Park
Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
in Scotland's successful campaign to qualify for the 1996 European Championship.
Personal
John Spencer is brother-in-law to ScottishScottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
football manager Billy Davies
Billy Davies
William McIntosh "Billy" Davies is a Glasgow-born Scottish football manager, noted for his achievement in the Football League Championship with East Midlands Rivals Derby County and Nottingham Forest and Preston North End which has led him to be described, in 2011, as "probably the best manager at...
, who has managed Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
, Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
, Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
and was recently manager of Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
.