Kyle Cameron Walter Spence (born 14 January 1997) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Maltese Premier League club Gżira United. Born in England, he has represented Scotland at youth international level.

Kyle Spence
Spence in 2021 with Hegelmann Litauen
Personal information
Full name Kyle Cameron Walter Spence[1]
Date of birth (1997-01-14) 14 January 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth Croydon, Surrey, England
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.71 m)[2]
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
Gżira United
Youth career
0000–2014 Crystal Palace
2014–2015 Coventry City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2017 Coventry City 1 (0)
2017 Hampton & Richmond Borough 4 (0)
2017 Kingstonian 2 (0)
2017 East Grinstead Town 4 (0)
2018 Valdres 23 (9)
2019 Alta 26 (4)
2020 Øygarden 16 (0)
2021 Hegelmann Litauen 18 (5)
2022–2023 FSV Frankfurt 16 (0)
2023–2024 Vélez 6 (0)
2024– Gżira United 6 (3)
International career
2012–2013 Scotland U16 7 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:29, 11 March 2024 (UTC)

Born in Croydon, Spence began his career with local club Crystal Palace before joining Coventry City who he made his professional debut for later that year. He has since played in Norway, Lithuania and Germany.

Club career edit

Career in England edit

Born in Croydon, Surrey, Spence attended Oasis Academy Shirley Park and trained at Fulham Academy but chose to sign with the Crystal Palace Academy. He played for Croydon Schools FA and Surrey Schools FA U14 county team, they won the English Schools U14 National County Cup final on 10 May 2011 by beating Oxford 4–3 on penalties at Brentford's Griffin Park and featured notable players, such as, Jeremie Boga, Patrick Roberts and Ryan Sweeney.[3][4] The following year, Spence went on to win the national title on 24 April 2012 with his school, as they beat Ribblesdale High School 3–0 at Derby County's Pride Park Stadium.[5] On 7 May 2013, he won the Crystal Palace Oasis Academy player of the year.[6] Spence was part of the Crystal Palace Academy squad coached by John Salako and Mark Bright.[7]

Spence joined Coventry City in 2014.[4][8] He made his professional debut as a substitute on 2 September 2014 in a 1–0 Football League Trophy win over Wycombe Wanderers, coming on to replace Mohamed Coulibaly after 80 minutes.[9] Following his progression with the U18's squad, Spence was offered a professional contract with the club but he did not sign the deal and left Coventry City in the summer of 2015.[10]

After spending time on trial at Millwall, Spence re-signed with Coventry City for the second time in February 2016, until the end of the season.[11][12] After making his return, Spence played in the club's reserve side for the season and signed a one-year contract extension with Coventry City.[13] Following this, he made his first team appearance of the 2016–17 season, coming on as a 67th-minute substitute, in a 0–0 draw against Shrewsbury Town on 13 August 2016.[14] His second appearance of the season came on 23 August 2016 came against Norwich City in the second round of the League Cup, as the club lost 6–1.[15] Having made two appearances in all competitions, Spence was released at the end of the 2016–17 season.[16]

Spence joined Hampton & Richmond Borough on 4 August 2017.[17] He made his debut for the club, coming on as a 55th-minute substitute, in a 1–1 draw against East Thurrock United on 5 August 2017.[18] Spence went on to make four appearances for Hampton & Richmond Borough before leaving the club to join Kingstonian on 29 August 2017 and then joined East Grinstead Town the following month.[19]

Norway edit

On 11 February 2018, Spence moved to Norway, where he signed for Norwegian fourth-tier side Valdres.[20]

On 14 April 2018, Spence scored a hat trick on his league debut against Vestfossen, resulting a 4–1 win for the club.[21] This was followed up by scoring his fourth goal for Valdres, in a 2–1 win against Brumunddal in the first round of the Norwegian Cup and scored three days later against Skjetten Fotball.[22] Since joining the club, he quickly established himself in the first team.[23] Spence later scored five more goals later in the 2018 season, including a brace against Østsiden.[24] He finished the 2018 season with 27 appearances, 10 goals and 8 assists in all competitions.[25] Following this, Spence did not sign a contract with Valdres, resulting in him leaving the club.[26]

It was reported on 8 February 2019 that Spence went on trial with Norwegian third-tier side Alta.[27] His trial proved to be successful and he signed for the club on 14 March 2019.[28]

Spence made his debut for Alta in the opening game of the season against Mjølner, coming on as a 79th-minute substitute, in a 3–0 win.[29] On 22 May, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 win over Fløya in the Norwegian Football Cup before scoring his first league goal just over two weeks later in a 2–2 draw with Asker.[30] Since joining Alta, Spence quickly established himself in the starting eleven for the club.[31] It wasn't until on 1 September 2019 when he scored twice for Alta, in a 3–2 win against Sotra.[32] Three weeks later on 22 September 2019, Spence scored his fifth goal for the club, in a 2–1 win against Kjelsas IL.[33] Until the end of the 2019 season, he went on to make 29 appearances scoring five times in all competitions.[25] Following this, Alta offered Spence a new contract to stay at the club.[34]

On 8 January 2020, Spence joined newly formed Norwegian First Division side Øygarden instead.[35] However, due to the pandemic, the season was pushed back to July.[36] On 20 July 2020, he made his Norwegian First Division debut for his new side as a substitute in a 4–4 draw with Raufoss. He went on to make sixteen appearances in all competitions in his first season with the club.[25]

Lithuania edit

On 16 April 2021, Spence left Norway to head to Lithuania, joining A Lyga side Hegelmann Litauen until the end of the season.[37] He was nominated for A Lyga player of the month for July 2021.[38]

In June 2022, Spence joined German Regionalliga Südwest side FSV Frankfurt on a free transfer.[39]

In August 2023, Spence joined Spanish Segunda Federación side Vélez on a free transfer.[40]

After financial difficulties at the Spanish club, Spence joined Malta Premier League side Gżira United on a free transfer.[41]

International career edit

Spence was called up by Scotland under-16 in 2012, having been eligible to play for Scotland through his grandparents and made his debut on 21 August 2012 against Latvia U16.[20][4][42] He went on to make seven appearances for the under-16s, scoring one goal against Turkey in 2012.[43][44]

Personal life edit

Spence's great aunt is Madge Saunders, a Jamaican Christian minister and community worker who was the first woman in the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands to serve as a parish minister.[45]

Career statistics edit

As of matches played 30 January 2024[25][46]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Coventry City 2014–15 League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 1 0
2015–16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2016–17 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0
Total 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 3 0
Hampton & Richmond Borough 2017–18 National League South 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Kingstonian 2017–18 Isthmian Premier 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
East Grinstead Town 2017–18 Isthmian D1 South 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 0
Valdres 2018 3. divisjon 23 9 4 1 0 0 0 0 27 10
Alta 2019 2. divisjon 26 4 3 1 0 0 0 0 29 5
Øygarden 2020 OBOS-ligaen 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0
Hegelmann Litauen 2021 A Lyga 18 5 2 0 0 0 0 0 20 5
FSV Frankfurt 2022–23 Regionalliga Südwest 16 0 0 0 0 0 1[b] 0 17 0
Vélez 2023–24 Segunda Federación 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Gżira United 2023–24 Maltese Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 124 18 10 2 1 0 3 0 135 20
  1. ^ Appearances in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Appearances in Hessian Cup

References edit

  1. ^ "The Football League Limited: Club list of registered players as at 16th May 2015" (PDF). The Football League. 16 May 2015. p. 44. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 December 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  2. ^ "Kyle Cameron Walter Spence" (in Norwegian). Øygarden FK. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  3. ^ "English Schools' Football Association (ESFA) – News 2010–2011". www.esfa.co.uk. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  4. ^ a b c "Croydon schoolboy Kyle Spence called up to play for Scotland". News Shopper. 19 October 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  5. ^ "Under 15s Named National Champions". Crystal Palace F.C. 4 July 2012. Archived from the original on 26 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Awards Night Round-Up". Crystal Palace F.C. 7 May 2013. Archived from the original on 26 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  7. ^ "Academy Report: CPFC 1-5 Southampton". Crystal Palace F.C. 27 March 2013. Archived from the original on 26 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
    "Academy Report: Cray 0-3 Palace U-18s". Crystal Palace F.C. 1 August 2013. Archived from the original on 26 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
    "FA Youth Cup: Sheff Weds 4-4 Palace". Crystal Palace F.C. 11 December 2013. Archived from the original on 26 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  8. ^ "Look: All you need to know about the six Coventry City Academy starlets given pro contracts". Coventry Telegraph. 17 March 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  9. ^ "Wycombe Wanderers 0–1 Coventry City". CCFC. Archived from the original on 27 May 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  10. ^ "Coventry City Football Club offer six Academy second-year scholars professional terms with the club". Coventry City F.C. 16 March 2015. Archived from the original on 13 April 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
    "Coventry City still waiting on contract decision from Academy starlet Kyle Spence". Coventry Telegraph. 16 July 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  11. ^ "Kyle Spence: Millwall give trial to teenage former Coventry winger". BBC. 7 September 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  12. ^ "SIGNING: Coventry City have signed winger Kyle Spence until the end of the season". Coventry City F.C. 15 February 2016. Archived from the original on 11 June 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  13. ^ "MATCH REPORT: Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Coventry City - Under-21s denied victory at Hillsborough". Coventry City F.C. 16 February 2016. Archived from the original on 26 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
    ""It's the best I've seen from the group and we'll have a strong end to the season." - Coventry City's Lee Glover". Coventry City F.C. 8 March 2016. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
    ""Vladimir looks like he's going to be a good addition, suits the way we play football." - Coventry City's Lee Glover". Coventry City F.C. 4 April 2016. Archived from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
    "MATCH REPORT: Coventry City 3-0 Hull City - Under-21s record fourth straight victory as Tigers tamed". Coventry City F.C. 21 April 2016. Archived from the original on 21 September 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
    "SIGNING: Coventry City sign Devon and Dion Kelly-Evans, and Kyle Spence on one-year contracts". Coventry Telegraph. 24 May 2016. Archived from the original on 11 June 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  14. ^ "Coventry City 0–0 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. 13 August 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  15. ^ "MATCH REPORT: Norwich City 6-1 Coventry City - The Sky Blues exit the cup after Carrow Road defeat". Coventry City F.C. 23 August 2016. Archived from the original on 21 September 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  16. ^ "NEWS: Coventry City release nine players including Nathan Clarke, Ruben Lameiras and Marcus Tudgay". www.ccfc.co.uk. 2 May 2017. Archived from the original on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  17. ^ "Spence becomes a Beaver – News – Hampton & Richmond Borough FC". www.hamptonfc.net. 4 August 2017. Archived from the original on 14 October 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  18. ^ "BEAVERS ON THE SPOT BUT GET POINT". Hampton & Richmond Borough F.C. 5 August 2017. Archived from the original on 26 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  19. ^ "Squad News". Hampton & Richmond Borough F.C. 29 August 2017. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
    "Kyle Spence – Kingstonian". kingstonian.com. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
    "Kyle Spence – Football Web Pages". footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  20. ^ a b "Kyle Spence klar for Valdres FK!" [Kyle Spence ready for Valdres FK!] (in Norwegian). Valdres F.K. 11 February 2018. Archived from the original on 11 March 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  21. ^ "Kampreferat av Vestfossen – Valdres" (in Norwegian). Football Association of Norway. 14 April 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
    "Knallsterk seriedebut!" (in Norwegian). Valdres F.K. 14 April 2018. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  22. ^ "Valdres FK til 2. runde etter cupthriller" (in Norwegian). Oa.no. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
    "Feide Skjetten av banen, vant 5-1" (in Norwegian). Oa.no. 21 April 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  23. ^ "Veloso imponerte Godset-sjefen da Valdres FK hang med lenge" (in Norwegian). Oa.no. 2 May 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
    "Valdres FKs engelske spillere har VM-feber" (in Norwegian). Oa.no. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
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  24. ^ "Reiste fra Liverpool for å se Valdres slå Selbak 8–1" (in Norwegian). Oa.no. 19 May 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
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    "Valdres FK tapte for bunnlag" (in Norwegian). Oa.no. 11 August 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  25. ^ a b c d "Kyle Spence Kampstatistikk" [Kyle Spence statistics] (in Norwegian). Football Association of Norway. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  26. ^ "Spansk og fransk i "nye" Valdres FK" (in Norwegian). Oa.no. 3 January 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  27. ^ "Alta IF tester ut engelsk angrepsspiller" (in Norwegian). Alta Posten. 8 February 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  28. ^ "Driblesterk engelskmann klar for Alta IF" (in Norwegian). Alta Postem. 14 March 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  29. ^ "Drømmestart for Philips" (in Norwegian). Alten Posten. 13 April 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  30. ^ "Fløya - Alta". Norwegian Football Federation. 22 May 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
    "Trygt videre i cupen" (in Norwegian). Alta Posten. 22 May 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
    "Stoppet tapsrekka" (in Norwegian). Aften Posten. 10 June 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  31. ^ "Går trolig glipp av Senja-kampen" (in Norwegian). Alta Posten. 24 April 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
    "Starter mot Kjelsås?" (in Norwegian). Alta Posten. 4 May 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
    "Jakter flere scoringer" (in Norwegian). Alta Posten. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  32. ^ "Brøt forbannelsen" (in Norwegian). Alta Posten. 1 September 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  33. ^ "Tre sterke poeng under folkekampen" (in Norwegian). Alta Posten. 22 September 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  34. ^ "Rett mann til rett tid" (in Norwegian). Alta Posten. 13 November 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  35. ^ "Følger Lazaro sørover" (in Norwegian). Alten Posten. 9 January 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
    "ØFK PRESENTERER KYLE CAMERON WALTER SPENCE" (in Norwegian). Øygarden FK. 8 January 2020. Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  36. ^ "Toppfotballen i Norges stoppes i første omgang til 15. april". www.fotball.no (in Norwegian). Norwegian Football Federation. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
    "Spilleplan OBOS-ligaen 2020". www.fotball.no (in Norwegian). Norwegian Football Federation. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  37. ^ "Mėlynai baltų atakuojančią grandį papildė legionierius iš Anglijos" (in Lithuanian). FC Hegelmann Litauen. 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  38. ^ @EnglishAbroad1 (12 August 2021). "Kyle Spence (@KyleSpence10) hit four goals in five games last month for FC Hegelmann Litauen in the Lithuanian top flight" (Tweet). Retrieved 18 October 2021 – via Twitter.
  39. ^ "NEUER MITTELFELDSPIELER FÜR DEN FSV" (in German). FSV Frankfurt. 27 June 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  40. ^ "SIGNING: Kyle, speed for Vélez CF" (in Spanish). Vélez CF. 30 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  41. ^ "Kyle Spence: Gżira United sign Vélez CF winger on free transfer". englishplayersabroad.com. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  42. ^ "Youngsters Earn International Call". Crystal Palace F.C. 27 February 2013. Archived from the original on 26 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  43. ^ "Kyle Spence Scottish FA profile". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  44. ^ "CPFC Academy - International Break". Crystal Palace F.C. 18 September 2012. Archived from the original on 26 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  45. ^ "Weekend review 23rd & 24th June". englishplayersabroad.com. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  46. ^ Kyle Spence at Soccerway

External links edit