Warren Aspinall
Encyclopedia
Warren Aspinall is an English
former footballer, who played for a number of teams, having the most significant impact at Portsmouth
and Carlisle United
.
Starting his career with Wigan Athletic
in 1985, he then had short spells with Everton
and Aston Villa
, before signing with Portsmouth in 1988. Five years later he moved onto Bournemouth
, before joining Carlisle United in 1995. After leaving the club in 1997, he finished his career with spells with Brentford
, Colchester United
and Brighton & Hove Albion
.
After retiring from the game, his alcohol and gambling addictions brought him to the brink of suicide. Once he recovered from his problems he returned to the game as a scout.
side Wigan Athletic
in 1985–86. The teenager was quickly spotted by First Division
Everton
, signing with the Toffees in February 1986 for £150,000. He was loaned back to his old club, scoring four goals in twenty appearances.
Top flight strugglers Aston Villa
bought Aspinall for £300,000 in February 1987. They were relegated
in bottom place at the end of the season, whilst Everton claimed the title.
Villa came straight back up in 1987–88, as Second Division
runners-up.
At the start of the 1988–89 season he was picked up by second tier Portsmouth
for £315,000. Over the next five seasons he would make around 150 appearances for Pompey across all competitions. He helped Portsmouth to the 1992 FA Cup semi final, but they lost on a penalty shootout to Liverpool.
During the start of the 1993–94 season he enjoyed loan spells with third tier clubs Bournemouth
and Swansea City
. Bournemouth paid £20,000 for his services full-time before 1993 was out. In 1994–95 they narrowly avoided relegation to the basement division.
In March 1995, Aspinall joined Carlisle United
on a free transfer. At the end of the season his new club lifted the Third Division title. Though in 1995–96 they came straight down.
In 1996–97, Carlisle were promoted again, this time in third place. Aspinall played 44 games that season, scoring six goals, including one again old club Swansea.
The 1997–98 season saw Carlisle lose their third tier status once again. Aspinall was sold to Brentford
for £50,000 in November 1997, though suffered the same fate, as Brentford were relegated alongside Carlisle.
He was something of a veteran by 1998–99, he played 26 games before signing with Colchester United
in March 1998, following a one month loan.
At the start of the 1999–2000 season he joined Brighton & Hove Albion
on loan. He signed permanently two months later on a free transfer.
He retired in November 2000, accepting that he would never fully recover from a long-term ankle injury.
and picked up a gambling addiction. His gambling cost him around £1 million that he earned during his long career. On the verge of suicide
, after narrowly avoiding death by train, saved only by last minute thoughts of his family, he checked himself into the Sporting Chance clinic
. He has fronted a Samaritans campaign "Men on the Ropes" that aims to reduce male suicides.
He used to deliver sandwiches to office workplaces, and is now working in a Sainsbury's distribution centre in Basingstoke
. He also scouts for League Two
side Port Vale
, under manager Micky Adams
.
with Aston Villa
with Carlisle United
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
former footballer, who played for a number of teams, having the most significant impact at Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
and Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
.
Starting his career with Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
in 1985, he then had short spells with Everton
Everton 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...
and 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...
, before signing with Portsmouth in 1988. Five years later he moved onto Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
, before joining Carlisle United in 1995. After leaving the club in 1997, he finished his career with spells with Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
, Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
and Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
.
After retiring from the game, his alcohol and gambling addictions brought him to the brink of suicide. Once he recovered from his problems he returned to the game as a scout.
Playing career
Aspinall began his career with Third DivisionFootball League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
side Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
in 1985–86. The teenager was quickly spotted by First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
Everton
Everton 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...
, signing with the Toffees in February 1986 for £150,000. He was loaned back to his old club, scoring four goals in twenty appearances.
Top flight strugglers 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...
bought Aspinall for £300,000 in February 1987. They were relegated
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
in bottom place at the end of the season, whilst Everton claimed the title.
Villa came straight back up in 1987–88, as Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
runners-up.
At the start of the 1988–89 season he was picked up by second tier Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
for £315,000. Over the next five seasons he would make around 150 appearances for Pompey across all competitions. He helped Portsmouth to the 1992 FA Cup semi final, but they lost on a penalty shootout to Liverpool.
During the start of the 1993–94 season he enjoyed loan spells with third tier clubs Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
and Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
. Bournemouth paid £20,000 for his services full-time before 1993 was out. In 1994–95 they narrowly avoided relegation to the basement division.
In March 1995, Aspinall joined Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
on a free transfer. At the end of the season his new club lifted the Third Division title. Though in 1995–96 they came straight down.
In 1996–97, Carlisle were promoted again, this time in third place. Aspinall played 44 games that season, scoring six goals, including one again old club Swansea.
The 1997–98 season saw Carlisle lose their third tier status once again. Aspinall was sold to Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
for £50,000 in November 1997, though suffered the same fate, as Brentford were relegated alongside Carlisle.
He was something of a veteran by 1998–99, he played 26 games before signing with Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
in March 1998, following a one month loan.
At the start of the 1999–2000 season he joined Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
on loan. He signed permanently two months later on a free transfer.
He retired in November 2000, accepting that he would never fully recover from a long-term ankle injury.
Post-retirement
After leaving the game, Aspinall turned to drinkAlcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
and picked up a gambling addiction. His gambling cost him around £1 million that he earned during his long career. On the verge of suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
, after narrowly avoiding death by train, saved only by last minute thoughts of his family, he checked himself into the Sporting Chance clinic
Sporting Chance clinic
The Sporting Chance Clinic is a registered British based charity, first set up by former Arsenal and England football captain Tony Adams to provide a specialist addiction and recovery facility for sportsmen and women....
. He has fronted a Samaritans campaign "Men on the Ropes" that aims to reduce male suicides.
He used to deliver sandwiches to office workplaces, and is now working in a Sainsbury's distribution centre in Basingstoke
Basingstoke
Basingstoke is a town in northeast Hampshire, in south central England. It lies across a valley at the source of the River Loddon. It is southwest of London, northeast of Southampton, southwest of Reading and northeast of the county town, Winchester. In 2008 it had an estimated population of...
. He also scouts for 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 Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
, under manager Micky Adams
Micky Adams
Michael Richard "Micky" Adams is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of League Two side Port Vale. As a player he was a full back, and made a total of 438 league appearances in a nineteen year professional career in the Football League, including five...
.
Honours
with Everton- Football League First DivisionFootball League First DivisionThe First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
runner-up: 1985–86
with Aston Villa
- Football League Second DivisionFootball League Second DivisionFrom 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
runner-up: 1987–88
with Carlisle United
- Football League Third DivisionFootball League Third DivisionThe Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
champion: 1994–95 - Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
winner: 1996–19971997 Football League Trophy FinalThe 1997 Football League Trophy Final was the 14th final of the domestic football cup competition for teams from the Second and Third Division of the Football League. The match was played at Wembley on 20 April 1997, and was contested by Carlisle United and Colchester United... - Football League Third DivisionFootball League Third DivisionThe Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
third place promotion winner: 1996–97