Jay Spearing

Jay Francis Spearing (born 25 November 1988) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for League Two club Tranmere Rovers.[3]

Jay Spearing
Spearing playing for Liverpool in 2012
Personal information
Full name Jay Francis Spearing[1]
Date of birth (1988-11-25) 25 November 1988[2]
Place of birth Wallasey, England
Height 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)[2]
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Club information
Current team
Tranmere Rovers
Number 8
Youth career
1997–2008 Liverpool
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2013 Liverpool 30 (0)
2010Leicester City (loan) 7 (1)
2012–2013Bolton Wanderers (loan) 37 (2)
2013–2017 Bolton Wanderers 125 (8)
2015Blackburn Rovers (loan) 15 (1)
2017–2020 Blackpool 105 (6)
2020– Tranmere Rovers 29 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 5 February 2021 (UTC)

He started his career with Liverpool as a youth-team player in 1997. He remained at Anfield for sixteen years before leaving, in 2013, for Bolton Wanderers. After four years at the University of Bolton Stadium, he joined Blackpool, newly promoted to League One, in 2017, initially until the end of the 2017–18 season. He made the move permanent the following summer and remained at Bloomfield Road for two years.

Career

Reserves (2007–2010)

Raised in Wallasey, Merseyside,[2] Spearing was the captain of the Liverpool Under 18s that won the FA Youth Cup in 2007. He featured the previous season in the final against Manchester City, but missed the majority of the season due to a broken leg. He was promoted to Melwood in the summer of 2007 to train with the Liverpool first team after impressing in the club's Academy. He had been involved with his boyhood club since he was seven years old. He was voted the best player in the Torneo di Renate, a competition for under-20 sides, competing against clubs such as Milan and Parma. He was also part of the Reserve side that won the Premier Reserve League in the 2007–08 season.[4]

2008–09 season

Spearing made his competitive first-team debut on 9 December 2008, coming on as a substitute in a 3–1 UEFA Champions League win against PSV.[5] Spearing also appeared in the Reds' 4–0 win over Real Madrid in the second round of the Champions League.

On 31 March 2009, Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez announced that he would be offering Spearing a new contract, alongside fellow home-grown youngster Stephen Darby. On 6 July 2009, Spearing agreed to a new three-year contract with Liverpool.

Loan move to Leicester City

Spearing playing for Leicester City against Cardiff City on 30 March 2010

On 22 March 2010, Liverpool confirmed Spearing would join Championship club Leicester City on loan until the end of the 2009–10 season, linking up with former Liverpool reserve teammate Jack Hobbs.[6] His debut came two days later, starting in the Foxes' 2–1 Championship loss to Reading. His last game for Leicester was on 12 May in the Championship Play-off semi-final, with Leicester winning 3–2, but it wasn't enough to reach the final as they lost on a penalty shootout.[7] He made nine appearances for Leicester and scored his only goal for the club in the 4–1 home win against Watford.[8]

2010–11 season

Spearing was included in Liverpool's 21-man squad for the 2010–11 Premier League season. He started and played the full 90 minutes in the opening leg of Liverpool's UEFA Europa League qualifier against Macedonian side FK Rabotnički, and came on as a substitute at Anfield in the second leg. On 16 September, he again played the full 90 minutes in the Reds' opening group game against Steaua București, his first-ever start at Anfield, setting up David N'Gog for the fourth and final goal as Liverpool won 4–1. On 22 September, he was involved in Liverpool's League Cup third-round exit to League Two side Northampton Town; Liverpool lost 4–2 on penalties after a 2–2 draw. On 21 October, he played the full 90 minutes in Liverpool's third group-stage tie, a 0–0 draw with a Napoli side featuring former Liverpool left-back Andrea Dossena.

Spearing was an unused substitute in Liverpool's 1–0 Premier League win against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium on 31 October. He came on in the 90th minute of Liverpool's 2–0 victory over Chelsea on 7 November 2010, instantly making an impact by playing a through ball to assist a Maxi Rodríguez effort.

On 20 November, it was reported that Spearing had broken his ankle in training and would be out for up to six weeks. He made his first appearance of 2011 against Everton on 16 January. In the post-match interview, Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish praised the young midfielder and joked that Steven Gerrard may never get into the first team again.[9] On 20 March, Spearing started another league game, away to Sunderland. Spearing won a penalty, which was converted by Dirk Kuyt to put Liverpool 1–0 up.

Spearing then went on the secure a first-team berth with the absence of Steven Gerrard and out-of-favour Christian Poulsen. For the remainder of the Premier League season, he formed a midfield partnership with Lucas. Against Arsenal on 17 April, Spearing gave away a 98th-minute penalty, which Robin van Persie converted to make the game 1–0. The match finished 1–1. Despite this, Spearing won the man-of-the-match award from Sky Sports and was praised after the game for his determination, work-rate and battling performance. He received the journalists' man-of-the-match award on the official Liverpool website three times during the season.

In May 2011, the club announced that he had extended his contract,[10] and he was included in England under-21s provisional 40-man squad for the 2011 Summer U21 European Championship, with fellow Liverpool player Andy Carroll.[11]

2011–12 season

Spearing during pre-season training

For the 2011–12 season, Spearing wore the number 20, with his old number 26 being registered to new arrival Charlie Adam.[12] Spearing immediately fell down the pecking order in Liverpool's midfield after the arrival of midfielders Adam, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing. On 20 July 2011, it was widely reported that Spearing would consider an option to move to Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan, but the club rejected their approach, stating that Spearing was in their plans. Spearing later dismissed the rumour saying he was willing to fight for his place in the starting eleven.[13]

He made his first start of the season against Exeter City in the League Cup on 24 August 2011. The result ended in a 3–1 victory for Liverpool.

He was sent off for the first time in his professional career during Liverpool's 1–0 loss to Fulham on 5 December.

In May 2012 Spearing was in the starting eleven for the FA Cup Final, in which Liverpool lost to Chelsea.[14]

2012–13 season

New Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers described Spearing as a "very good player with great qualities" who has "the soul of the club in his heart".[15] He started the first competitive game of the season in the UEFA Europa League qualifier against Belarusian club Gomel, playing the full 90 minutes, and made a substitute appearance in the return leg at Anfield. His final appearance of the season for Liverpool came as a start in the 1–0 victory against Hearts in a Europa League qualifier on 23 August 2012.

Loan move to Bolton Wanderers

On 31 August 2012, Spearing joined Championship side Bolton Wanderers on a season-long loan deal.[16] His debut came a day later in Bolton's 3–1 defeat against Hull City.[17] He scored his first goal for Bolton on 20 October as the club beat Bristol City 3–2, in which he scored Bolton's second goal, an equaliser.[18] On 25 April 2013, Spearing was named the Bolton Wanderers Supporters Association (BWSA) Player of the Season. This was followed on 20 May with his being named the club's Player of the Season.[19]

Return to Liverpool

At the conclusion of Bolton's season in the Championship, Spearing returned to Anfield.[20] Although he did not feature in any of the club's remaining fixtures, he was present in the guard of honour for the retiring Jamie Carragher in the last game of the 2012–13 Premier League against Queens Park Rangers.[21]

In July 2013, a £1.75 million bid was submitted by Championship side Blackburn Rovers for Spearing,[22] which Liverpool rejected.[23] Notwithstanding, Blackburn failed to agree terms with Spearing, and the deal fell through.[24][25]

Spearing featured in Liverpool's first pre-season friendly of the summer against Preston North End[26] and was also included in the squad for the club's summer tour.[27] In August 2013, Spearing was told by Liverpool that he was free to leave the club,[28] with Liverpool entering talks with Bolton for a possible transfer back to the Reebok Stadium.[29]

Bolton Wanderers

Spearing playing for Bolton Wanderers against Chelsea in the League Cup, 2014

On 8 August 2013, it was announced that a deal was struck between Liverpool and Bolton subject to a medical on the same afternoon. It was confirmed on the 9 August that Spearing had agreed a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee[30][31][32] and he made his debut the following day in the 1–1 home draw against Reading, in which he received man-of-the-match honours.

In September 2013, Spearing was handed the captaincy at Bolton whenever incumbent Zat Knight found himself out of the starting XI, although he retained the armband when Knight returned to the team with both in the starting lineup. On 26 July 2014, the club confirmed that Spearing would succeed Knight as captain.[33]

On 8 August 2015, Spearing was sent off with a second booking in the opening match of the 2015–16 Championship season against Derby County.[34] Spearing's goal on the opening day of the 2016–17 season against Sheffield United won August's Goal of the Month award.[35]

On 8 July 2017 the club confirmed that Spearing had left after failing to agree terms on a new contract.[36]

Blackburn Rovers (loan)

On 30 January 2015, Spearing was loaned to fellow Championship club Blackburn Rovers until the end of the season.[37]

Blackpool

On 4 October 2017, Spearing joined Blackpool until the end of the season.[38] He scored his first goals for Blackpool when he scored twice in a 3–2 win over Bradford City on 8 September 2018.[39] He made the move permanent in the summer.

Spearing left Blackpool at the end of the 2019–20 season, after three years, having failed to agree terms on a new contract.[40]

Tranmere Rovers

On 5th August 2020, Spearing signed a two year deal with his hometown club Tranmere Rovers.[41]

Career statistics

As of match played 10 March 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Liverpool 2008–09[42] Premier League0000002[lower-alpha 1]020
2009–10[43] Premier League3000200050
2010–11[44] Premier League11000108[lower-alpha 2]0200
2011–12[45] Premier League1604050250
2012–13[46] Premier League003[lower-alpha 2]030
Total 3004080130550
Leicester City (loan) 2009–10[43] Championship 712[lower-alpha 3]091
Bolton Wanderers (loan) 2012–13[46] Championship37220392
Bolton Wanderers 2013–14[47] Championship4521000462
2014–15[48] Championship2111010231
2015–16[49] Championship2221000232
2016–17[50] League One37330002[lower-alpha 4]0423
Total 1621080102017310
Blackburn Rovers (loan) 2014–15[48] Championship151151
Blackpool 2017–18[51] League One33010001[lower-alpha 4]0350
2018–19[52] League One424314100496
2019–20[53] League One30240101[lower-alpha 4]0362
Total 10568151201208
Career total 319182011411306037220
  1. Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  2. Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  3. Appearances in Championship play-offs
  4. Appearances in EFL Trophy

Honours

Spearing (furthest right) with his Liverpool clubmates after winning the 2012 Football League Cup Final

Liverpool

Bolton Wanderers

Individual

References

  1. "Notification of shirt numbers: Tranmere Rovers" (PDF). English Football League. p. 71. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  2. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 388. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  3. https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2021/February/tranmere-rovers-complete-signing-of-jay-spearing/
  4. "Jay Spearing". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  5. "PSV 1 – Liverpool 3: match report". Liverpoolfc.com. 9 December 2008. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  6. Hunter, Steve (22 March 2010). "Starlet set for Foxes". www.Liverpoolfc.tv. Liverpool F.C. Archived from the original on 25 March 2010. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  7. Shuttleworth, Peter (12 May 2010). "Cardiff 2 – 3 Leicester (agg 3 – 3)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  8. "Leicester 4 - 1 Watford". BBC. 17 April 2010. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  9. Rice, Jimmy (21 January 2011). "Kenny on derby, owners & Jay". Liverpool F.C. Archived from the original on 19 January 2011. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
  10. "Jay Spearing earns new Liverpool contract". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 6 May 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
  11. Spearing gets England call – Liverpool F.C. Archived 14 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  12. Jordan and Adam numbers set – Liverpool F.C. Archived 11 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  13. Wolves eye Jay Spearing loan move « Express & Star
  14. "FA Cup Final 2012". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  15. Sean Bradbury (9 July 2012). "Brendan Rodgers: Jay Spearing has the soul of Liverpool FC in his heart (VIDEO)". liverpoolecho.
  16. "Spearing leaves on loan". Liverpool F.C. Archived from the original on 2 September 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  17. "Hull City 3-1 Bolton". BBC Sport. 1 September 2012.
  18. "Bolton 3-2 Bristol City". BBC Sport. London.
  19. "2012/13 BWFC Player of the Season – Jay Spearing". Burnden Aces.
  20. James Pearce (27 April 2013). "Blood Red: Jay Spearing returns to Melwood". liverpoolecho.
  21. Mandeep Sanghera. "BBC Sport – Liverpool 1–0 QPR". BBC Sport.
  22. Alan Nixon (7 July 2013). "Liverpool transfer news: Jay Spearing will be sold to Blackburn for £1.5million – Mirror Online". mirror.
  23. "Liverpool Agree 拢1.75m Fee With Blackburn Rovers For Midfielder Jay Spearing". caughtoffside.com.
  24. "BBC Sport – Blackburn Rovers: DJ Campbell faces two-month absence". BBC Sport.
  25. Alan Nixon (14 July 2013). "Liverpool flop Jay Spearing turns down move to Blackburn – because he wants to return to Bolton – Mirror Online". mirror.
  26. "Preston v Liverpool – 13th Jul 2013 – Commentary – Friendly Match – Sky Sports Football". skysports.com.
  27. "Tour 2015". Liverpool FC.
  28. "Jay Spearing to swap Liverpool for Bolton". eyefootball.
  29. "BBC Sport – Jay Spearing: Bolton Wanderers move for Liverpool midfielder". BBC Sport.
  30. Marc Iles. "Wanderers confirm signing of Jay Spearing from Liverpool". The Bolton News.
  31. "Spearing completes Bolton switch". Liverpool FC.
  32. BWFC Staff. "Jay's back". bwfc.co.uk.
  33. @OfficialBWFC. "Jay Spearing officially announced as new club captain". bwfc.co.uk.
  34. "Bolton and Derby play a draw in the opener". BBC Sport. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  35. @OfficialBWFC. "Jay Spearing wins Sky Bet League One's August Goal of the Month award".
  36. "Jay Spearing leaves Wanderers". Bolton Wanderers Official Site. 8 July 2017. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  37. "Rovers are delighted to confirm the capture of Bolton Wanderers midfielder Jay Spearing". Rovers. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  38. "Jay Spearing: Blackpool sign former Bolton Wanderers midfielder". BBC Sport. 4 October 2017.
  39. "Blackpool 3-2 Bradford". BBC. 8 September 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  40. "Jay Spearing To Leave The Club" - Blackpool F.C., 26 June 2020
  41. "Jay Spearing: Tranmere Rovers sign midfielder after Blackpool departure". BBC Sport. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  42. "Games played by Jay Spearing in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  43. "Games played by Jay Spearing in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  44. "Games played by Jay Spearing in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  45. "Games played by Jay Spearing in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  46. "Games played by Jay Spearing in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  47. "Games played by Jay Spearing in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  48. "Games played by Jay Spearing in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  49. "Games played by Jay Spearing in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  50. "Games played by Jay Spearing in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  51. "Games played by Jay Spearing in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  52. "Games played by Jay Spearing in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  53. "Games played by Jay Spearing in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  54. "Liverpool – Cardiff City". LFChistory.net. 26 February 2012.
  55. "Liverpool – Chelsea". LFChistory.net. 5 May 2012.
  56. "Voting now open for Player of the Year award". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 21 April 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
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