- Howard Spencer
Howard Spencer (born 23 August 1875,
Edgbaston ,Birmingham - died January 1940,Sutton Coldfield ) was one of Aston Villa's all-time greatest players.An incredibly gifted player, he was known as the 'Prince of Full-Backs' during his hugely successful time at the club and was renowned for his sportsmanship.
While at Villa Spencer earned four League Championships in 1896, 1897, 1899 and 1900 as well as three
FA Cup finals and captained the side to its 1905 victory overNewcastle United . Spencer was a key member of the Aston Villa side that wonThe Double in 1896/97. Conversely he was also in the Villa side that suffered a humiliating F A cup defeat by Millwall Athletic in 1900. [ [http://www.freewebs.com/captainbeecher/number18.htm Match report Mllwall Athletic vs Aston Villa 1900] ]He continued to serve the club after his playing days were over as a director, from 1909 until 1936. In all his association with Aston Villa lasted 42 years.
He was capped 6 times by England, which many felt was paltry reward for a player of his quality.
Aston Villa Record:*295 Apps
*2 Goals.References
* [http://www.englandstats.com/playerreport.php?pid=904 England profile]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
