Full name Christopher Spendlove Years Team 2007–2010 OCU Stars Height 1.78 m | Playing position Role Footballer Name Chris Spendlove Position Defender | |
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Date of birth (1984-12-18) 18 December 1984 (age 31) | ||
Chris Spendlove (born 18 December 1984 in Liverpool) is an English footballer who also served as an assistant coach for Oklahoma City Energy FC in the USL Professional Division. He is also known for his alleged involvement with two friends in the manslaughter of an off duty Police officer in Liverpool in 2014, for which he was acquitted and his two friends convicted.
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Youth, College and amateur
As a schoolboy Spendlove played football for Everton and Preston North End. He was a five-year captain of district and regional representative squads back in his home town of Liverpool before he began his Undergraduate and master's degrees at Oklahoma City University, playing with their soccer team during his four years there, recording 26 goals and 9 assists.
During his college career, Spendlove also played with USL Premier Development League club GPS Portland Phoenix during their 2010 season.
Professional
Spendlove signed his first professional contract in February 2011, joining USL Pro club Wilmington Hammerheads. He made his professional debut on 17 April 2011, in Wilmington's first game of the 2011 season, a 1–0 win over the Rochester Rhinos.
Personal
In December 2014, Spendlove was arrested and charged with the murder of a police officer and two counts of malicious wounding in Liverpool, England. On 22 December, Oklahoma City Energy dismissed him as a result.
During the subsequent murder trial at Liverpool Crown Court, it was alleged that Spendlove had struck PC Steventon whilst he was on the floor, with the Barrister for the prosecution Mr Johnson QC noting during his closing speech "when Spendlove goes towards PC Steventon this was not a helpful shove but a punch." Going on to describe the punch saying "He draws his fist back and in he goes." CCTV was released by Merseyside Police following the trial which appears to show the alleged punch. Spendlove was accused of watching out for his two friends whilst they attacked the officers and Mr Johnson QC outlined Mr Spendlove's involvement saying to the jury "this is joint enterprise ladies and gentlemen, in action"
In July 2015 he was cleared of all charges, however his friends and co-accused were convicted.