Johnny Spuhler

John Oswald Spuhler (18 September 1917 – 7 January 2007) was an English professional footballer who played as a centre forward. He played in the Football League for Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Darlington.

Football career

Spuhler was born in Fulwell, Sunderland in 1917. He won two caps for the England schoolboys team. He worked both in the office at Sunderland AFC and as a joiner before signing professional terms with Sunderland in September 1934. Arsenal offered Sunderland £2,000 for Spuhler in 1937, but he turned down the transfer. Spuhler scored 5 times in 35 matches prior to the onset of World War Two. During the Second World War, Spuhler appeared as a guest player for Middlesbrough and transferred to the club in October 1945 for a fee of £1,750. He broke his nose in a match against Blackpool in 1950, which he eventually required hospital treatment for. He scored 69 goals in 216 league matches for the club before transferring to Darlington in 1954 for a fee of £1,000 after Middlesbrough's relegation. He scored 19 times in 67 league matches for Darlington. He became player-manager at non-League club Spennymoor United in 1956 and later held a managerial role at Shrewsbury Town, and a coaching role at Stockton. He also coached the Army in Germany, and managed the West Auckland Town side which reached the 1961 FA Amateur Cup final.

Style of play

Spuhler played as a centre forward. He was noted for his speed and heading ability, rather than technique on the ball.

Personal life

Spuhler married his wife Nancy in November 1939, and the couple had two children. After retirement from football, Spuhler worked as a sub-postmaster in Yarm before retiring at 55. He died on 7 January 2007 at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough following a short illness.

References

General

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Specific