Ivan Sproule

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Template:Short description Template:Use Hiberno-English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography

Ivan Sproule (born 18 February 1981) is a Northern Irish retired professional footballer who was most recently manager of NIFL Premier Intermediate side Dergview. Early in his career, Sproule played in Northern Ireland for Omagh Town and Institute. He became a full-time professional in January 2005, after he signed for Scottish Premier League side Hibernian, just a month before his 24th birthday. He made a significant impact at Hibernian, scoring a hat-trick against Rangers and earning selection by the Northern Ireland national team.

Sproule moved to Football League Championship club Bristol City in 2007. After four years with the club, including loan spells at Yeovil Town and Notts County in his final season, Sproule agreed to return to Hibernian in May 2011, where he spent two more seasons. After a year with Ross County, Sproule returned to Northern Ireland.

Career

File:Ivan Sproule2.jpg
Sproule playing for Bristol City in January 2010 in a FA Cup match against Cardiff City

Sproule, a winger who was known for his explosive pace,[1] played in the Irish Football League for semi-professional clubs Omagh Town and Institute. He combined playing football with his full-time career as an engineer.[2] Scottish Premier League club Hibernian invited him for a trial in January 2005, after he had been transfer listed by Institute.[3] He impressed manager Tony Mowbray and signed as a full-time professional until the end of the season, which meant that he had to give up his day job as a fabrication engineer.[2][4] Hibs paid Institute a transfer fee of £5,000.[5]

The gamble of signing a player from outside professional football paid off for both Sproule and Hibs. Although he had a slow start with Hibs and it was rumoured that he would return to Northern Ireland,[6] he scored one of the goals in a 3–1 win over Celtic at Celtic Park.[7] Sproule was offered an extended contract which he accepted. Sproule hit the headlines in August 2005 by scoring a hat-trick in a 3–0 defeat of champions Rangers at Ibrox Stadium.[8] His performances caused Sproule to be linked with a £1 million move to Ukrainian club FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, who had played against Hibs in the 2005–06 UEFA Cup.[2]

Sproule caused further damage to Rangers by helping Hibs eliminate them from the 2005–06 Scottish Cup.[9] Sproule scored one goal and assisted with another, as Hibs again won 3–0 at Ibrox.[9] He was part of the team that won the 2007 Scottish League Cup Final. In total, Sproule made 94 appearances in his first spell with Hibs, scoring 18 goals.

Sproule joined Bristol City on a three-year contract on 27 June 2007 for an undisclosed fee, believed to be about £500,000.[10] He made his debut for the West Country club on 29 August 2007 against Manchester City in the League Cup. He was made to sit out the first four games of the season due to a suspension which he received while playing for Hibernian. He scored his first goal for Bristol City on 24 October 2007 in their 2–1 victory over Southampton. Sproule was part of the Bristol City squad who were beaten in the Championship 2008 play-off final against Hull City.

Sproule fell out of favour at Bristol City in 2010, making his last start for the first team in August.[11] He was loaned to Yeovil Town in November.[11] He was then loaned to Notts County in March 2011.[12]

In April 2011, Sproule held discussions with Colin Calderwood about a proposed return to Hibernian.[13] Sproule signed a pre-contract agreement with the club a month later.[14] On the opening game of the season, he played his first Hibs match in a 2–0 loss against Celtic; scored on his first match two months later, in a 3–2 win over St Johnstone. Sproule fell out of favour at Hibs during the 2012–13 season, making only one starting appearance.[15]

Sproule moved to Ross County on a free transfer in January 2013.[15] He scored two goals in his first appearance for the club, in a 4–1 victory at St Mirren on 19 January.[16] After the match, Manager Derek Adams praised Sproule's performance,[17] while Sproule, himself, say his debut was a 'dream'[18] A week later, Sproule scored again but this time was against his former club Hibs in a 1–0 win.[19][20] Sproule scored 8 goals in 24 appearances for Ross County, but decided to leave the club in November 2013 for personal reasons.[21]

Sproule agreed in December 2013 to sign for Linfield.[22][23]

International career

Sproule was called into the Northern Ireland squad for the first time in September 2005, immediately after his hat-trick for Hibernian against Rangers.[6] He came on as a substitute in the 1–0 win against England at Windsor Park to win his first cap.[24] Sproule scored a goal on his first start for Northern Ireland, against Estonia on 1 March 2006.[25] Sproule made a total of 11 appearances for Northern Ireland between 2005 and 2007.

Scottish and English career statistics

Template:Updated[26]

Club Season League Cup League Cup Other Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Hibernian 2004–05 7 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 8 1
2005–06 32 4 4 3 2 0 2 0 40 7
2006–07 32 7 6 1 4 0 4 2 46 10
Total 71 12 11 4 6 0 6 2 94 18
Bristol City 2007–08 40 2 1 0 1 0 2 0 44 2
2008–09 38 3 2 0 1 0 0 0 41 3
2009–10 30 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 33 1
2010–11 11 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 12 1
Total 119 6 4 0 5 1 2 0 130 7
Yeovil Town (loan) 2010–11 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Notts County (loan) 2010–11 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
Hibernian 2011–12 34 3 5 0 3 1 0 0 42 4
2012–13 10 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
Total 44 3 6 0 3 1 0 0 53 4
Ross County 2012–13 14 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 6
2013–14 10 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 11 2
Total 24 8 0 0 1 0 0 0 25 8
Career total 265 29 21 4 15 2 8 2 308 37

International caps

Scores and results list Northern Ireland's goal tally first.
International appearances and goals
App Date Venue Opponent Result Goal Competition
1. 7 September 2005 Windsor Park, Belfast {{ Template:Yesno alias = England flag alias = Flag of England.svg flag alias-naval = English White Ensign 1620.svg link alias-naval = Royal Navy flag alias-navy = English White Ensign 1620.svg link alias-navy = Royal Navy link alias-cricket = England cricket team empty = England Saxons size = name = variant = altlink = national football team altvar = football

}} || 1–0 || 0 || 2006 World Cup qualifier

2. 15 November 2005 Windsor Park, Belfast {{ Template:Yesno alias = Portugal flag alias = Flag of Portugal.svg flag alias-1248 = PortugueseFlag1248.svg flag alias-1385 = PortugueseFlag1385.svg flag alias-1495 = Flag Portugal (1495).svg flag alias-1578 = Flag Portugal (1578).svg flag alias-1640 = Flag Portugal (1640).svg flag alias-1707 = Flag Portugal (1707).svg flag alias-1750 = Flag of Portugal (1750).svg flag alias-1816 = Flag of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves.svg flag alias-1830 = Flag Portugal (1830).svg flag alias-civil = Flag Portugal sea (1830).svg flag alias-air force=Portugal Air force fin flash.svg flag alias-army = Military flag of Portugal.svg link alias-air force = Portuguese Air Force link alias-army = Portuguese Army link alias-naval = Portuguese Navy flag alias-navy=Naval Jack of Portugal.svg link alias-navy = Portuguese Navy flag alias-marines=Naval Jack of Portugal.svg link alias-marines=Portuguese Marine Corps size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || 1–1 || 0 || Friendly

3. 1 March 2006 Windsor Park, Belfast {{ Template:Yesno alias = Estonia flag alias = Flag of Estonia.svg flag alias-naval = Naval Jack of Estonia.svg link alias-naval = Estonian Navy flag alias-army=Flag of Estonian Land Forces.svg link alias-army=Estonian Land Forces flag alias-air force =Flag of the Estonia Air Force.png link alias-air force = Estonian Air Force flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Estonia.svg link alias-navy = Estonian Navy border-naval = size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || 1–0 || 1 || Friendly

4. 21 May 2006 Giants Stadium, New Jersey {{ Template:Yesno alias = Uruguay flag alias = Flag of Uruguay.svg flag alias-1828 = Flag of Uruguay (1828-1830).svg link alias-naval = National Navy of Uruguay flag alias-army = Flag of Uruguayan Army.svg National Army of Uruguay link alias-air force = Uruguayan Air Force flag alias-air force = Flag of the Uruguayan Air Force.svg link alias-navy = National Navy of Uruguay size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || 0–1 || 0 || Friendly

5. 26 May 2006 Soldier Field, Chicago {{ Template:Yesno alias = Romania flag alias = Flag of Romania.svg flag alias-1859 = Flag of the United Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia (1859 - 1862).svg flag alias-1862 = Flag of the United Principalities of Romania (1862–1866).svg flag alias-1866 = Flag of Romania.svg flag alias-1947 = Flag of Romania (January-March 1948).svg flag alias-1948 = Flag of Romania (1948-1952).svg flag alias-1952 = Flag of Romania (1952-1965).svg flag alias-1965 = Flag of Romania (1965-1989).svg flag alias-naval = Flag of Romania.svg flag alias-naval-1860 = Flag of the United Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia (1859 - 1862).svg flag alias-naval-1862 = Flag of the United Principalities of Romania (1862–1866).svg flag alias-naval-1866 = Flag of Romania.svg flag alias-naval-1922 = Naval Ensign of Romania (1922–1947).svg flag alias-naval-1947 = Flag of Romania (January-March 1948).svg flag alias-naval-1948 = Flag of Romania (1948–1952).svg flag alias-naval-1950 = Naval Ensign of Romania (1950–1952).svg flag alias-naval-1952 = Naval Ensign of Romania (1952–1965).svg flag alias-naval-1965 = Flag of Romania (1965–1989).svg link alias-naval = Romanian Naval Forces flag alias-air force = Flag of the Romanian Air Force (obverse).svg flag alias-air force-1947 = Flag of Romania (January-March 1948).svg flag alias-air force-1948 = Flag of Romania (1948–1952).svg flag alias-air force-1950 = Flag of Air Force of Romania (1950-1952, obverse).svg flag alias-air force-1952 = Flag of Air Force of Romania (1952-1965, obverse).svg flag alias-air force-1965 = Flag of Romania (1965–1989).svg link alias-air force = Romanian Air Force flag alias-army = Flag of the Romanian Land Forces (Obverse).svg flag alias-army-1859 = Flag of the United Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia (1859 - 1862).svg flag alias-army-1862 = Flag of the United Principalities of Romania (1862–1866).svg flag alias-army-1866 = Flag of Romania.svg flag alias-army-1947 = Flag of Romania (January-March 1948).svg flag alias-army-1948 = Flag of Romania (1948–1952).svg flag alias-army-1950 = Battle flag of Romania (1950-1952, obverse).svg flag alias-army-1952 = Battle flag of Romania (1952-1965, obverse).svg flag alias-army-1965 = Battle flag of Romania (1966-1989, obverse).svg link alias-army = Romanian Land Forces flag alias-navy = Flag of the Romanian Naval Forces (Obverse).svg flag alias-navy-1860 = Flag of the United Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia (1859 - 1862).svg flag alias-navy-1862 = Flag of the United Principalities of Romania (1862–1866).svg flag alias-navy-1866 = Flag of Romania.svg flag alias-navy-1922 = Naval Ensign of Romania (1922–1947).svg flag alias-navy-1947 = Flag of Romania (January-March 1948).svg flag alias-navy-1948 = Flag of Romania (1948–1952).svg flag alias-navy-1950 = Flag of Naval Force of Romania (1950-1951, obverse).svg flag alias-navy-1952 = Flag of terrestrial units of the Naval Force of Romania (1952-1965, obverse).svg flag alias-navy-1965 = Flag of Romania (1965–1989).svg link alias-navy = Romanian Naval Forces size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || 0–2 || 0 || Friendly

6. 16 August 2006 Olympiastadion, Helsinki {{ Template:Yesno alias = Finland flag alias = Flag of Finland.svg flag alias-grand duchy = Flag of Russia.svg flag alias-1809 = Flag of Russia.svg flag alias-1917 = Flag of Finland 1918 (state).svg flag alias-1918 = Flag of Finland (1918-1920).svg flag alias-1920 = Flag of Finland.svg flag alias-state = Flag of Finland (state).svg flag alias-state-1918 = Flag of Finland 1918-1920 (State).svg flag alias-state-1920 = Flag of Finland 1920-1978 (State).svg flag alias-naval = Military Flag of Finland.svg border-naval = flag alias-naval-1918 = Flag of Finland 1918-1920 (Military).svg border-naval-1918 = flag alias-naval-1920 = Flag of Finland 1920-1978 (Military).svg border-naval-1920 = link alias-naval = Finnish Navy flag alias-navy = Naval Jack of Finland.svg link alias-navy = Finnish Navy link alias-air force = Finnish Air Force flag alias-military = Military flag of Finland.svg link alias-military = Finnish Defence Forces flag alias-army = Military flag of Finland.svg link alias-army = Finnish Army size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || 2–1 || 0 || Friendly

7. 6 February 2007 Windsor Park, Belfast {{ Template:Yesno alias = Wales flag alias = Flag of Wales (1959–present).svg flag alias-1807 = Flag of Wales (1807–1953).svg flag alias-1953 = Flag of Wales (1953–1959).svg flag alias-1959 = Flag of Wales (1959).svg size = name = variant = altlink = national football team

}} || 0–0 || 0 || Friendly

8. 28 March 2007 Windsor Park, Belfast {{ Template:Yesno alias = Sweden flag alias = Flag of Sweden.svg flag alias-army = Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg flag alias-air force =Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg flag alias-1818 = Swedish and Norwegian merchant flag 1818-1844.svg flag alias-1844 = Swedish civil ensign (1844–1905).svg flag alias-1905 = Flag of Sweden (pre-1906).svg flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg flag alias-naval-1844 = Naval Ensign of Sweden (1844-1905).svg flag alias-naval-1815 = Ensign of Sweden and Norway (1815–1844).svg link alias-army = Swedish Army link alias-air force = Swedish Air Force link alias-naval = Swedish Navy flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg link alias-navy = Swedish Navy link alias-football = Sweden men's national football team border-army = border-air force = border-naval = border-navy = border-naval-1815 = border-naval-1844 = size = name = altlink = national football team altvar = football variant =

}} || 2–1 || 0 || Euro 2008 qualifier

9. 17 October 2007 Råsunda Stadium, Solna {{ Template:Yesno alias = Sweden flag alias = Flag of Sweden.svg flag alias-army = Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg flag alias-air force =Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg flag alias-1818 = Swedish and Norwegian merchant flag 1818-1844.svg flag alias-1844 = Swedish civil ensign (1844–1905).svg flag alias-1905 = Flag of Sweden (pre-1906).svg flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg flag alias-naval-1844 = Naval Ensign of Sweden (1844-1905).svg flag alias-naval-1815 = Ensign of Sweden and Norway (1815–1844).svg link alias-army = Swedish Army link alias-air force = Swedish Air Force link alias-naval = Swedish Navy flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg link alias-navy = Swedish Navy link alias-football = Sweden men's national football team border-army = border-air force = border-naval = border-navy = border-naval-1815 = border-naval-1844 = size = name = altlink = national football team altvar = football variant =

}} || 1–1 || 0 || Euro 2008 qualifier

10. 17 November 2007 Windsor Park, Belfast {{ Template:Yesno alias = Denmark flag alias = Flag of Denmark.svg flag alias-state = Flag of Denmark (state).svg border-state = flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Denmark.svg link alias-naval = Royal Danish Navy link alias-army = Royal Danish Army flag alias-army = Flag of Denmark (state).svg link alias-air force = Royal Danish Air Force flag alias-air force = Flag of Denmark (state).svg flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Denmark.svg link alias-navy = Royal Danish Navy border-army = border-air force = border-naval = border-navy = size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || 2–1 || 0 || Euro 2008 qualifier

11. 21 November 2007 Estadio Gran Canaria, Las Palmas {{ Template:Yesno alias = Spain flag alias = Flag of Spain.svg flag alias-1506 = Flag of Cross of Burgundy.svg flag alias-1701 = Bandera de España 1701-1748.svg flag alias-1748 = Bandera de España 1748-1785.svg flag alias-1760 = Bandera de España 1760-1785.svg flag alias-1785 = Flag of Spain (1785–1873, 1875–1931).svg flag alias-1873 = Flag of the First Spanish Republic.svg flag alias-1874 = Flag of Spain (1785–1873, 1875–1931).svg flag alias-1931 = Flag of Spain (1931–1939).svg flag alias-civil-1931 = Flag of the Second Spanish Republic (plain).svg flag alias-1936 = Flag of the Bando Nacional (1936–1938).svg flag alias-1938 = Flag of Spain (1938–1945).svg flag alias-1945 = Flag of Spain (1945–1977).svg flag alias-1977 = Flag of Spain (1977–1981).svg flag alias-civil = Flag of Spain (civil).svg flag alias-civil-1785 = BandMercante1785.svg flag alias-navy = Flag of Spain.svg link alias-navy = Spanish Navy flag alias-marines = Flag of Spain.svg link alias-marines = Spanish Marine Infantry flag alias-army = Flag of Spain.svg link alias-army = Spanish Army flag alias-naval = Naval Jack of Spain.svg link alias-naval = Spanish Navy flag alias-air force = Flag of Spain.svg link alias-air force = Spanish Air and Space Force size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}} || 0–1 || 0 || Euro 2008 qualifier

Personal life

Sproule is married and has three sons.[27] A second child was stillborn in November 2009, causing him to miss Bristol City's match against Nottingham Forest.[28] City manager Gary Johnson dedicated their equalising goal in the match to Sproule, who had sent a message of support to his teammates.[29][30] Johnson commented:[30]

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We respect him for thinking of us at a time when we're thinking about him. It was a major shock to all of us and we're all very close to Ivan.

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References

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  6. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ Template:PAGENAMEBASE at SoccerbaseTemplate:EditAtWikidataTemplate:WikidataCheck
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

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