Joe Spence - Manchester United Forward player profile & statistics (original) (raw)

spence_joseph

Name: Joseph Walter Spence	Nationality: England
Position: Forward	Signing Information: Transferred from: Scotswood 03/1919, £
Birthdate: 15-12-1898	Years at Club: 1919-1933
Age: (125)	Debut: 30/08/1919 v Derby County (A) 1-1 (League Division One)
Birthplace: Throckley, Northumberland, England	Previous clubs: Liverpool (WW1), Scotswood
Height: 5' 8" (1.73m)	Farewell to Manchester United: Transferred to Bradford City, 06/1933, £
Weight: 11st (69.85kg)	Passed Away: 31/12/1966
Joe Spence was an English footballer and one of Manchester United's greatest goal-scorers in the early 20th century. Known for his incredible dribbling, quick pace, and accurate finishing, Spence was a prolific forward who became a fan favorite at Old Trafford. Playing across the forward line and as a winger, he was Manchester United's star player during a challenging period for the club. Despite never winning a major trophy with United, his contribution as a goal-scorer and leader is still celebrated today. Early Career and Move to Manchester United Born in Throckley, near Newcastle, Spence began his footballing journey during World War I, where he played for Blaydon United before joining Manchester United in 1919, just after the war ended. At a time when football was recovering from the impact of the war, Spence’s signing marked a new chapter for United, who were struggling both financially and competitively. Career at Manchester United (1919–1933) Spence made an immediate impact at Manchester United, making his debut in 1919. His ability to score goals and his excellent dribbling skills made him a key figure in the team. Over the next 14 years, Spence became the heartbeat of the United attack, regularly topping the goal-scoring charts for the club. He was known for his consistency and versatility, excelling as both a center-forward and outside right (winger). Key Achievements at Manchester United: Leading Goal-Scorer: Spence scored 168 goals in 510 appearances for Manchester United, a record that stood for decades. He was the club's top goal-scorer until Jack Rowley broke his record in the 1950s. Consistency in Difficult Times: Spence was the star player during a difficult period for Manchester United. The club was often near the bottom of the First Division or struggling in the Second Division during the 1920s and 1930s, but Spence's performances kept the club competitive. He remained loyal to the club despite their struggles. Fan Favorit Spence was adored by the Manchester United faithful for his hard work, skill, and leadership on the pitch. His dribbling ability and flair brought excitement to Old Trafford during challenging years. Later Career After leaving Manchester United in 1933, Spence joined Bradford City, where he continued to play at a high level, making 75 appearances and scoring 27 goals. He later had a brief spell with Chesterfield, playing until 1938. International Career Spence represented England at the international level, earning 2 caps between 1921 and 1925. While he did not have an extensive international career, he was considered one of the top forwards in English football during his peak years at Manchester United. Legacy Joe Spence is regarded as one of Manchester United’s greatest-ever players and one of the finest goal-scorers in the club’s early history. Despite the lack of major trophies during his time at the club, Spence’s loyalty, consistency, and ability to perform in challenging circumstances earned him legendary status at Old Trafford. His record of 168 goals in 510 appearances stood for decades, and he remains one of the club’s top goal-scorers. Spence’s impact on Manchester United went beyond his statistics—he was a symbol of resilience and commitment to the club, leading the attack during some of the most difficult years in the club's history. Post-Retirement and D eath After retiring from football, Spence remained connected to the game, working as a coach. He passed away in 1966, but his legacy at Manchester United lives on as one of the club's early heroes. Summary Joe Spence was a prolific goal-scorer and a fan favorite at Manchester United from 1919 to 1933. He scored 168 goals in 510 appearances, making him one of the club’s all-time top scorers. Known for his dribbling skills and versatility, Spence became a Manchester United legend during a period when the club struggled for success. His loyalty, consistency, and leadership on the pitch earned him lasting respect among the club's supporters.
League League Cup FA Cup Charity Shield European Cup Europa League Super Cup Cup Winners Cup Inter-Continental Cup World Clubs Cup No Season SeasonGoals SeasonApps 1 1919-1920 14 32 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 33 2 1920-1921 7 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 15 3 1921-1922 15 35 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 36 4 1922-1923 11 35 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 37 5 1923-1924 10 36 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 38 6 1924-1925 5 42 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 43 7 1925-1926 6 39 0 0 4 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 46 8 1926-1927 18 40 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 43 9 1927-1928 22 38 0 0 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 24 43 10 1928-1929 5 36 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 38 11 1929-1930 12 42 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 43 12 1930-1931 6 35 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 37 13 1931-1932 19 37 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 38 14 1932-1933 7 19 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 20 TOTALS 157 481 0 0 10 29 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 167 510