Guernsey Sporting Heroes - Bill Spurdle

Bill signed professional forms for Oldham Athletic in March 1948 at the age of 22. After a successful season-and-a-half in the Oldham first team, he was transferred to First Division Manchester City in January 1950. He had made 56 first team appearances and scored 5 goals, for Oldham Athletic.
  

Manchester City were relegated at the end of that 1949-50 season, but Bill was a member of the City team which gained promotion back to the First Division in the 1950-51 season. He went on to establish himself as a member of the Manchester City first team, playing in the First Division between 1950 and 1956. During this period, their highest league positions being 4^th (1955-56) and 7^th (1954-55). In addition, the Club reached successive FA Cup Finals in 1955 and 1956. Bill played in the first of those Finals at Wembley on the 7^th May 1955 in front of 100,000 people. His Manchester City side lost 3-1 to Newcastle United.

Bill was also a member of the City side which fought its way back to Wembley for the 1956 FA Cup Final, defeating Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in the semi-final. They went on to beat Birmingham City 3-1 in the final but he was unfortunately injured and missed out on a winners medal.

Bill made a total of 160 First Team appearances for Manchester City (the vast majority in the First Division/FA Cup), and scored 32 goals. He was transferred to Port Vale (then a Second Division side) in November 1956, but stayed with the potteries Club for less than a year, moving back to Oldham Athletic in June 1957. He retired from professional football in May 1962, aged 36 years.

Bills professional career statistics are:-

Oldham Athletic      March 1948 - January 1950            56 Appearances          5 Goals

Manchester City     January 1950 - November 1956     160 Appearances        32 Goals

Port Vale              November 1956 - June 1957            21 Appearances         7 Goals

Oldham Athletic    June 1957 - May 1962                   144 Appearances         9 Goals