Jimmy Spencer (footballer)

James Christopher Spencer (born 13 December 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays for Curzon Ashton. A product of the Huddersfield Town academy, he spent much of his career with the club away on loan and later played for English Football League clubs Notts County, Cambridge United, Plymouth Argyle and Mansfield Town.

Jimmy Spencer
Jimmy Spencer, playing for Curzon Ashton, in 2023
Personal information
Full nameJames Christopher Spencer[1]
Date of birth (1991-12-13) 13 December 1991 (age 32)
Place of birthLeeds, England
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Position(s)Forward
Team information
Current team
Curzon Ashton
Youth career
1998–2010Huddersfield Town
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2009–2014Huddersfield Town1(0)
2010Northwich Victoria (loan)7(1)
2010–2011Morecambe (loan)32(8)
2011–2012Cheltenham Town (loan)41(10)
2012Brentford (loan)2(0)
2013Crawley Town (loan)0(0)
2013Scunthorpe United (loan)13(1)
2014–2016Notts County29(6)
2016Cambridge United18(6)
2016–2017Plymouth Argyle25(3)
2017–2018Mansfield Town18(1)
2018–2023Farsley Celtic106(26)
2023–Curzon Ashton10(4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:34, 8 February 2023 (UTC)

Career

Huddersfield Town

Spencer originally joined the academy as a seven-year-old in 1998 and progressed through the club's youth system. He was first offered professional terms with the club during the 2009–10 season after being loaned out to Northwich Victoria.[2]

Spencer was then loaned out to Football League Two side Morecambe.[3] Originally a six-month deal, it was extended to a season-long loan in the January transfer window. He made 32 league appearances, scoring eight goals.[4] He signed a new two-year deal at The Galpharm Stadium in May 2011.[5]

On 22 July, Huddersfield Town confirmed that he was set to join League Two side Cheltenham Town on a half-season loan for the 2011–12 season.[6] He scored six goals in 18 matches and an agreement was reached on 28 December 2011,[7] for him to remain on loan for the rest of the season.[8]

Huddersfield Return 2012–13

Spencer made his Huddersfield Town first team début in the League Cup first round 2–0 away defeat at Preston North End on 13 August 2012, playing 75 minutes on his début before being replaced by more experienced striker Alan Lee.[9] He made his league début in the 1–0 defeat by Cardiff City at the Cardiff City Stadium on 17 August, as a late substitute.[9] Spencer signed a one-year contract extension, tying him to the club until 2014 in August 2012.[10]

On 16 October 2012, he joined Football League One side Brentford on a one-month loan deal. He returned on 21 November, after a period on the sidelines.

On 10 January 2013, he joined League One side Crawley Town on loan for the remainder of the season, but his loan was cancelled on 6 February, after he failed to shake off a knee injury, which meant he made no appearances for the Red Devils.

On 22 August 2013, Spencer joined Football League Two side Scunthorpe United on loan until 5 January 2014.[11] The loan was ended on 30 December by the new Iron manager Russ Wilcox. His only goal in his 13 appearances for the club came in the 4–0 win over Rochdale at Spotland on 26 November.[12]

On 31 January 2014, Spencer left Huddersfield after having his contract terminated.

Notts County

On 3 February, Spencer joined Notts County on a short-term contract until the end of the 2013–14 season.[13] On 14 May 2014, Spencer signed a new two-year contract with the Magpies.[14]

Cambridge United

On 29 January 2016, Spencer had his contract with Notts County terminated by mutual consent. On 30 January he joined Cambridge United on an initial six-month deal.[15] That afternoon he came on as a substitute against Leyton Orient and scored with his first touch of the ball.[16]

Plymouth Argyle

On 29 June 2016, Spencer signed for Football League Two club Plymouth Argyle[17]

Mansfield Town

Spencer joined Mansfield Town in July 2017.[18] He was released by Mansfield at the end of the 2017–18 season.[19]

Farsley Celtic

In August 2018, Spencer dropped into non-league football to join Northern Premier League Premier Division club Farsley Celtic.[20] He contributed to the club's automatic promotion to the National League North and its run to the 2019 Northern Premier League Cup Final.[21][22] Spencer was voted the Northern Premier League Player of the Year and was retained for the 2019–20 season in a dual player-ambassador role.[23]

Curzon Ashton

On 7 February 2023, Spencer signed for National League North rivals Curzon Ashton for an undisclosed fee.[24]

Career statistics

As of match played 8 February 2020
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Huddersfield Town2012–13[9]Championship1000100020
Northwich Victoria (loan)2009–10[25]Conference Premier7171
Morecambe (loan)2010–11[4]League Two32810001[a]0348
Cheltenham Town (loan)2011–12[7]League Two411020106[b]15011
Brentford (loan)2012–13[9]League One200020
Scunthorpe United (loan)2013–14[12]League Two131201[a]0161
Notts County2013–14[12]League One135135
2014–15[26]9100000091
2015–16[27]League Two70102000100
Total296102000326
Cambridge United2015–16[27]League Two186186
Plymouth Argyle2016–17[28]League Two25310101[a]0283
Mansfield Town2017–18[29]League Two18133104[a]000
Farsley Celtic2018–19[21]Northern Premier League Premier Division36190014[c]65025
2019–20[30]National League North2910009[d]13811
2020-21National League North1662221209
Total81352225810845
Career total269711256038933485

Honours

Farsley Celtic

Individual

  • Northern Premier League Player of the Year: 2018–19[23]

References