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{{short description|English footballer}}
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2013}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Warren Aspinall
| name = Warren Aspinall
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Born in [[Wigan]], Aspinall began his career as a 13-year-old apprentice with hometown club [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]]. He signed a professional contract at the age of 17<ref name="SAM">{{cite web |title = Men on the Ropes – Warren Aspianll case study |url = http://www.samaritans.org/media-centre/samaritans-and-network-rail-campaign-2010/men-ropes-warren-aspinall-case-study |publisher = Samaritans |accessdate = 3 March 2013}}</ref> and made his debut in March 1985 in an away game against [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]].<ref name="PT">{{cite web |title = Bygone Blues: Warren Aspinall: Villa exit was always likely after my stamp |url = http://www2.portsmouthtoday.co.uk/blogs/bygone_blues/2008/10/warren-aspinall-villa-exit-was-always.html |publisher = Portsmouth Today |accessdate = 3 March 2013}}</ref> He made 33 league appearances and scored ten goals for Wigan, before being sold to [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] in 1986 for £150,000. He was immediately loaned back to Wigan, scoring a further 12 goals in 18 league appearances.<ref name="Soccerbase"/> With Wigan's season completed, Aspinall returned to Everton, where he came on as a substitute for [[Gary Lineker]] in a 3–1 victory.<ref name="PT"/>
Born in [[Wigan]], Aspinall began his career as a 13-year-old apprentice with hometown club [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]]. He signed a professional contract at the age of 17<ref name="SAM">{{cite web |title = Men on the Ropes – Warren Aspianll case study |url = http://www.samaritans.org/media-centre/samaritans-and-network-rail-campaign-2010/men-ropes-warren-aspinall-case-study |publisher = Samaritans |accessdate = 3 March 2013}}</ref> and made his debut in March 1985 in an away game against [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]].<ref name="PT">{{cite web |title = Bygone Blues: Warren Aspinall: Villa exit was always likely after my stamp |url = http://www2.portsmouthtoday.co.uk/blogs/bygone_blues/2008/10/warren-aspinall-villa-exit-was-always.html |publisher = Portsmouth Today |accessdate = 3 March 2013}}</ref> He made 33 league appearances and scored ten goals for Wigan, before being sold to [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] in 1986 for £150,000. He was immediately loaned back to Wigan, scoring a further 12 goals in 18 league appearances.<ref name="Soccerbase"/> With Wigan's season completed, Aspinall returned to Everton, where he came on as a substitute for [[Gary Lineker]] in a 3–1 victory.<ref name="PT"/>


After making only ten substitute appearances in all competitions for the Toffees, Aspinall transferred to [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] for a then club record fee of £300,000, but could not help stop the club being relegated from the [[Football League First Division|First Division]].<ref name="BM">{{cite web |title = Former Aston Villa star Warren Aspinall reveals how he tried to kill himself |url = http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/former-aston-villa-star-warren-223820 |publisher = Birmingham Mail |accessdate = 3 March 2013}}</ref> Manager [[Billy McNeill]], who signed Aspinall, was sacked and replaced by [[Graham Taylor]], as Villa bounced back immediately to the First Division, with Aspinall finishing as joint-top scorer. However, a poor disciplinary record prompted a warning from Taylor that this must improve or he would be sold. An incident away to [[St Mirren F.C.|St Mirren]] in a pre-season friendly involved Aspinall stamping on an opponents foot led to him being sold to [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] for a club-record fee of £315,000 in August 1988.<ref name="PC">{{cite web |title = Warren Aspinall – Portsmouth Football Club – The Pompey Chimes |url = http://www.pompeychimes.com/warrenaspinall.htm |publisher = The Pompey Chimes |accessdate = 4 March 2013}}</ref> He played in 44 league games and scored 14 goals for Aston Villa.<ref name="BM"/>
After making only ten substitute appearances in all competitions for the Toffees, Aspinall transferred to [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] for a then club record fee of £300,000, but could not help stop the club being relegated from the [[Football League First Division|First Division]].<ref name="BM">{{cite web |title = Former Aston Villa star Warren Aspinall reveals how he tried to kill himself |url = http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/former-aston-villa-star-warren-223820 |work = Birmingham Mail|accessdate = 3 March 2013}}</ref> Manager [[Billy McNeill]], who signed Aspinall, was sacked and replaced by [[Graham Taylor]], as Villa bounced back immediately to the First Division, with Aspinall finishing as joint-top scorer. However, a poor disciplinary record prompted a warning from Taylor that this must improve or he would be sold. An incident away to [[St Mirren F.C.|St Mirren]] in a pre-season friendly involved Aspinall stamping on an opponent's foot led to him being sold to [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] for a club-record fee of £315,000 in August 1988.<ref name="PC">{{cite web |title = Warren Aspinall – Portsmouth Football Club – The Pompey Chimes |url = http://www.pompeychimes.com/warrenaspinall.htm |publisher = The Pompey Chimes |accessdate = 4 March 2013}}</ref> He played in 44 league games and scored 14 goals for Aston Villa.<ref name="BM"/>


In five years at [[Fratton Park]], Aspinall made over 150 appearances in all competitions, scoring 28 goals,<ref name="Soccerbase"/> and under [[Jim Smith (footballer, born 1940)|Jim Smith]] helped the club reach the 1992 [[FA Cup]] semi-final, going out on [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalties]] before Aspinall could take his kick. The team also narrowly missed out on promotion to the [[Premier League]], but missed out by two goals.<ref name="PC"/> After loan spells at [[AFC Bournemouth]] and [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]], playing six games for each club and scoring only once for Bournemouth, he was sold to Bournemouth for £20,000 in December 1993.<ref name="Soccerbase"/>
In five years at [[Fratton Park]], Aspinall made over 150 appearances in all competitions, scoring 28 goals,<ref name="Soccerbase"/> and under [[Jim Smith (footballer, born 1940)|Jim Smith]] helped the club reach the 1992 [[FA Cup]] semi-final, going out on [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalties]] before Aspinall could take his kick. The team also narrowly missed out on promotion to the [[Premier League]], but missed out by two goals.<ref name="PC"/> After loan spells at [[AFC Bournemouth]] and [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]], playing six games for each club and scoring only once for Bournemouth, he was sold to Bournemouth for £20,000 in December 1993.<ref name="Soccerbase"/>


With limited chances at Bournemouth, scoring eight goals in 28 league games, Aspinall signed for [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]] on a free transfer. Making 132 appearances and scoring 16 goals, he helped the club to promotion and won the [[Football League Trophy]]. In 1997, he joined [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]] for £50,000, citing wanting to move back to the south of England as his reasons for leaving Carlisle.<ref name="PC"/> He was later loaned out to [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]] after scoring just five league goals in 43 appearances for the Bees.<ref name="Soccerbase"/> He signed permanently for Colchester in March 1999, and was made captain of the team in the summer of 1999. However, he was later loaned to [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton]] in September 1999, with the move being made permanent in November of the same year.<ref name="GN">{{cite web |title = 1999 Sports Review (From Gazette) |url = http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/archive/2000/01/03/Essex+Archive/5518743.1999_Sports_Review/ |publisher = Colchester Gazette |accessdate = 4 March 2013}}</ref>
With limited chances at Bournemouth, scoring eight goals in 28 league games, Aspinall signed for [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]] on a free transfer. Making 132 appearances and scoring 16 goals, he helped the club to promotion and won the [[Football League Trophy]]. In 1997, he joined [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]] for £50,000, citing wanting to move back to the south of England as his reasons for leaving Carlisle.<ref name="PC"/> He was later loaned out to [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]] after scoring just five league goals in 43 appearances for the Bees.<ref name="Soccerbase"/> He signed permanently for Colchester in March 1999, and was made captain of the team in the summer of 1999. However, he was later loaned to [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton]] in September 1999, with the move being made permanent in November of the same year.<ref name="GN">{{cite web |title = 1999 Sports Review (From Gazette) |url = http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/archive/2000/01/03/Essex+Archive/5518743.1999_Sports_Review/ |work = Colchester Gazette|accessdate = 4 March 2013}}</ref>


It was with Brighton that Aspinall was forced to retire from playing early through injury, after suffering from a long-term ankle problem.<ref name="BBC retire">{{cite news |title = Time calls on Aspinall |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/1011852.stm |publisher = BBC Sport |accessdate = 4 March 2013}}</ref> Aspinall had contracted [[Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus|MRSA]] following an operation on his ankle that went wrong, spending 27 days in hospital as a result.<ref name="PC"/>
It was with Brighton that Aspinall was forced to retire from playing early through injury, after suffering from a long-term ankle problem.<ref name="BBC retire">{{cite news |title = Time calls on Aspinall |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/1011852.stm |publisher = BBC Sport |accessdate = 4 March 2013}}</ref> Aspinall had contracted [[Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus|MRSA]] following an operation on his ankle that went wrong, spending 27 days in hospital as a result.<ref name="PC"/>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
After leaving the game, Aspinall [[Alcoholism|turned to drink]] and picked up a [[Problem gambling|gambling addiction]].<ref name="Argus">{{cite web|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/albion/4592729.Albion_old_boy_almost_paid_with_his_life/|title=Albion old boy almost paid with his life|last=Naylor|first=Andy|date=11 September 2009|work=The Argus|accessdate=1 September 2012}}</ref> His gambling cost him around £1 million that he had earned during his long career.<ref name="Argus" /> On the verge of suicide, after narrowly avoiding [[Suicide methods#Rail|death by train]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3889532.ece|title='I just longed for the train to hit me'|last=Alexander|first=Brian|date=8 May 2008 |work=The Times |location=UK|accessdate=12 September 2009}}</ref> saved only by last minute thoughts of his family,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/ex-blues-star-seconds-away-from-suicide-after-blowing-1m-1.102090|title=Ex-Blues star seconds away from suicide after blowing £1m|last=Story|first=Chris|date=8 May 2008|work=News & Story|accessdate=12 September 2009}}</ref> he checked himself into the [[Sporting Chance clinic]].<ref name="Argus" /> He has fronted a Samaritans campaign, "Men on the Ropes", that aims to reduce male suicides.<ref name="Samaritans">{{cite web|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/8379004.Former_Albion_star_joins_suicide_campaign_after_gambling_away___1_million/|title=Former Albion star joins suicide campaign after gambling away £1 million|last=Walker|first=Emily|date=9 September 2010|work=The Argus|accessdate=9 September 2010}}</ref>
After leaving the game, Aspinall [[Alcoholism|turned to drink]] and picked up a [[Problem gambling|gambling addiction]].<ref name="Argus">{{cite web|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/albion/4592729.Albion_old_boy_almost_paid_with_his_life/|title=Albion old boy almost paid with his life|last=Naylor|first=Andy|date=11 September 2009|work=The Argus|accessdate=1 September 2012}}</ref> His gambling cost him around £1 million that he had earned during his long career.<ref name="Argus" /> On the verge of suicide, after narrowly avoiding [[Suicide methods#Rail|death by train]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3889532.ece|title=I just longed for the train to hit me|last=Alexander|first=Brian|date=8 May 2008 |work=The Times |location=UK|accessdate=12 September 2009}}</ref> saved only by last minute thoughts of his family,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/ex-blues-star-seconds-away-from-suicide-after-blowing-1m-1.102090|title=Ex-Blues star seconds away from suicide after blowing £1m|last=Story|first=Chris|date=8 May 2008|work=News & Story|accessdate=12 September 2009}}</ref> he checked himself into the [[Sporting Chance clinic]].<ref name="Argus" /> He has fronted a Samaritans campaign, "Men on the Ropes", that aims to reduce male suicides.<ref name="Samaritans">{{cite web|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/8379004.Former_Albion_star_joins_suicide_campaign_after_gambling_away___1_million/|title=Former Albion star joins suicide campaign after gambling away £1 million|last=Walker|first=Emily|date=9 September 2010|work=The Argus|accessdate=9 September 2010}}</ref>


In 2009 Aspinall was working in a [[Sainsbury's]] distribution centre in [[Basingstoke]] and scouting for [[Football League Two|League Two]] side [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] under manager [[Micky Adams]].<ref name="Argus" /> By 2015 he was working for radio station [[BBC Sussex]] as a [[Color commentator|summariser]] for Brighton & Hove Albion matches.<ref name="Argus-13715093">{{cite news|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/13715093.The_Friday_Interview__He_almost_killed_himself_but_life_is_a_blast_now_for_Warren_Aspinall/|title=The Friday Interview: He almost killed himself but life is a blast now for Warren Aspinall|last=Naylor|first=Andy|date=11 September 2015|publisher=[[Newsquest|Newsquest Media (Southern) Ltd]]|work=[[The Argus (Brighton)|The Argus]]|accessdate=11 September 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608044137/http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/13715093.The_Friday_Interview__He_almost_killed_himself_but_life_is_a_blast_now_for_Warren_Aspinall/?ref=mr&lp=6|archivedate=8 June 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2009 Aspinall was working in a [[Sainsbury's]] distribution centre in [[Basingstoke]] and scouting for [[EFL League Two|League Two]] side [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] under manager [[Micky Adams]].<ref name="Argus" /> Since 2015 he has worked for radio station [[BBC Sussex]] as a [[Color commentator|summariser]] for Brighton & Hove Albion matches.<ref name="Argus-13715093">{{cite news|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/13715093.The_Friday_Interview__He_almost_killed_himself_but_life_is_a_blast_now_for_Warren_Aspinall/|title=The Friday Interview: He almost killed himself but life is a blast now for Warren Aspinall|last=Naylor|first=Andy|date=11 September 2015|work=The Argus|location=Brighton|accessdate=11 September 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608044137/http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/13715093.The_Friday_Interview__He_almost_killed_himself_but_life_is_a_blast_now_for_Warren_Aspinall/?ref=mr&lp=6|archivedate=8 June 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>


His elder brother Wayne Aspinall also played briefly in the Football League, making a solitary appearance for [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] in March 1984 against [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]].
==Honours==


===Club===
==Honours==
;Wigan Athletic
'''Wigan Athletic'''
*[[1985 Associate Members' Cup Final|1985]] [[Football League Trophy]] winner<ref>{{cite web
*[[Associate Members' Cup]]: [[1984–85 Associate Members' Cup|1984–85]]<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.wiganathletic.com/news/2013/june/freight-rover-85-where-are-they-now/
|url=https://www.wiganathletic.com/news/2013/june/freight-rover-85-where-are-they-now/
|title=FREIGHT ROVER 85 WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
|title=FREIGHT ROVER 85 WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Line 57: Line 57:
|date=1 June 2013 |accessdate=5 June 2019}}</ref>
|date=1 June 2013 |accessdate=5 June 2019}}</ref>


;Aston Villa
'''Aston Villa'''
*1987–88 [[Football League Second Division]] runner-up (level 2)
*[[Football League Second Division]] runner-up: [[1987–88 Football League Second Division|1987–88]]


;Carlisle United
'''Carlisle United'''
*1994–95 [[Football League Third Division]] winner (level 4)
*[[Football League Third Division]]: [[1994–95 Football League Third Division|1994–95]]
*[[Football League Trophy]]: [[1996–97 Football League Trophy|1996–97]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-happy-ending-for-carlisle-1268389.html |title=Football: Happy ending for Carlisle |first=Trevor |last=Haylett |website=The Independent |date=21 April 1997 |access-date=26 April 2024}}</ref>
*[[1997 Football League Trophy Final|1997]] [[Football League Trophy]] winner


===Individual===
'''Individual'''
*1996–97 [[PFA Team of the Year]] Third Division (level 4)
*[[PFA Team of the Year]]: 1996–97 Third Division


:''All honours referenced by:''<ref name="CUDBD T2">{{cite web |title = Championship Honours (Tier Two) |url = http://coludaybyday.co.uk/Statistics/Player%20Stats/PlayerHonours/PlayerTheChampionship.html |publisher = Coludaybyday.co.uk |accessdate = 4 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="CUDBD T4">{{cite web |title = League Two (Tier Four) |url = http://coludaybyday.co.uk/Statistics/Player%20Stats/PlayerHonours/PlayerLeagueTwo.html |publisher = Coludaybyday.co.uk |accessdate = 4 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="CUDBD AMC">{{cite web |title = Associate Members Cup Finalists |url = http://coludaybyday.co.uk/Statistics/Player%20Stats/PlayerHonours/PlayerAssociateMembersCup.html |publisher = Coludaybyday.co.uk |accessdate = 4 March 2013}}</ref>
:''All honours referenced by:''<ref name="CUDBD T2">{{cite web |title = Championship Honours (Tier Two) |url = http://coludaybyday.co.uk/Statistics/Player%20Stats/PlayerHonours/PlayerTheChampionship.html |publisher = Coludaybyday.co.uk |accessdate = 4 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="CUDBD T4">{{cite web |title = League Two (Tier Four) |url = http://coludaybyday.co.uk/Statistics/Player%20Stats/PlayerHonours/PlayerLeagueTwo.html |publisher = Coludaybyday.co.uk |accessdate = 4 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="CUDBD AMC">{{cite web |title = Associate Members Cup Finalists |url = http://coludaybyday.co.uk/Statistics/Player%20Stats/PlayerHonours/PlayerAssociateMembersCup.html |publisher = Coludaybyday.co.uk |accessdate = 4 March 2013}}</ref>
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Wigan]]
[[Category:Footballers from Wigan]]
[[Category:Association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Association football forwards]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:English footballers]]
[[Category:English men's footballers]]
[[Category:Wigan Athletic F.C. players]]
[[Category:Wigan Athletic F.C. players]]
[[Category:Everton F.C. players]]
[[Category:Everton F.C. players]]

Latest revision as of 09:02, 12 May 2024

Warren Aspinall
Personal information
Full name Warren Aspinall[1]
Date of birth (1967-09-13) 13 September 1967 (age 56)[2]
Place of birth Wigan, England[1]
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder/Forward
Youth career
1980–1985 Wigan Athletic
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1985–1986 Wigan Athletic 33 (10)
1986–1987 Everton 7 (0)
1986 → Wigan Athletic (loan) 18 (12)
1987–1988 Aston Villa 44 (14)
1988–1993 Portsmouth 133 (21)
1993 → AFC Bournemouth (loan) 6 (1)
1993 → Swansea City (loan) 5 (0)
1993–1995 AFC Bournemouth 27 (8)
1995–1997 Carlisle United 107 (12)
1997–1999 Brentford 43 (5)
1999 → Colchester United (loan) 6 (0)
1999 Colchester United 16 (5)
1999 → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) 7 (1)
1999–2000 Brighton & Hove Albion 25 (2)
Total 477 (91)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Warren Aspinall (born 13 September 1967) is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder or forward in the Football League, most notably for Portsmouth and Carlisle United. He began his career with hometown club Wigan Athletic, earning a good reputation as a goalscorer from a young age and securing a move to First Division club Everton, being loaned back to Wigan until the end of the season. He later joined Aston Villa for a club record fee of £315,000, helping the club back to the top tier of English football, before signing for Portsmouth for another club record fee. He made over 150 appearances in all competitions for Pompey, before moving to AFC Bournemouth after a loan spell at the club and Swansea City. He later played for Carlisle, aiding the club's promotion cause and helping them win the Football League Trophy. He also played for Brentford, Colchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion. He retired from playing through an ankle injury in 2000.

After his retirement from the game, his alcoholism and gambling addiction brought him to the brink of suicide after losing £1 million that he had earned during his career. Following his recovery after checking into the Sporting Chance clinic, Aspinall became an advocate for the Samaritans, fronting their "Men on the Ropes" campaign and has talked openly about his alcohol and gambling problems to aid other males in similar situations.

Career

[edit]

Born in Wigan, Aspinall began his career as a 13-year-old apprentice with hometown club Wigan Athletic. He signed a professional contract at the age of 17[3] and made his debut in March 1985 in an away game against Leyton Orient.[4] He made 33 league appearances and scored ten goals for Wigan, before being sold to Everton in 1986 for £150,000. He was immediately loaned back to Wigan, scoring a further 12 goals in 18 league appearances.[2] With Wigan's season completed, Aspinall returned to Everton, where he came on as a substitute for Gary Lineker in a 3–1 victory.[4]

After making only ten substitute appearances in all competitions for the Toffees, Aspinall transferred to Aston Villa for a then club record fee of £300,000, but could not help stop the club being relegated from the First Division.[5] Manager Billy McNeill, who signed Aspinall, was sacked and replaced by Graham Taylor, as Villa bounced back immediately to the First Division, with Aspinall finishing as joint-top scorer. However, a poor disciplinary record prompted a warning from Taylor that this must improve or he would be sold. An incident away to St Mirren in a pre-season friendly involved Aspinall stamping on an opponent's foot led to him being sold to Portsmouth for a club-record fee of £315,000 in August 1988.[6] He played in 44 league games and scored 14 goals for Aston Villa.[5]

In five years at Fratton Park, Aspinall made over 150 appearances in all competitions, scoring 28 goals,[2] and under Jim Smith helped the club reach the 1992 FA Cup semi-final, going out on penalties before Aspinall could take his kick. The team also narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League, but missed out by two goals.[6] After loan spells at AFC Bournemouth and Swansea City, playing six games for each club and scoring only once for Bournemouth, he was sold to Bournemouth for £20,000 in December 1993.[2]

With limited chances at Bournemouth, scoring eight goals in 28 league games, Aspinall signed for Carlisle United on a free transfer. Making 132 appearances and scoring 16 goals, he helped the club to promotion and won the Football League Trophy. In 1997, he joined Brentford for £50,000, citing wanting to move back to the south of England as his reasons for leaving Carlisle.[6] He was later loaned out to Colchester United after scoring just five league goals in 43 appearances for the Bees.[2] He signed permanently for Colchester in March 1999, and was made captain of the team in the summer of 1999. However, he was later loaned to Brighton in September 1999, with the move being made permanent in November of the same year.[7]

It was with Brighton that Aspinall was forced to retire from playing early through injury, after suffering from a long-term ankle problem.[8] Aspinall had contracted MRSA following an operation on his ankle that went wrong, spending 27 days in hospital as a result.[6]

Personal life

[edit]

After leaving the game, Aspinall turned to drink and picked up a gambling addiction.[9] His gambling cost him around £1 million that he had earned during his long career.[9] On the verge of suicide, after narrowly avoiding death by train,[10] saved only by last minute thoughts of his family,[11] he checked himself into the Sporting Chance clinic.[9] He has fronted a Samaritans campaign, "Men on the Ropes", that aims to reduce male suicides.[12]

In 2009 Aspinall was working in a Sainsbury's distribution centre in Basingstoke and scouting for League Two side Port Vale under manager Micky Adams.[9] Since 2015 he has worked for radio station BBC Sussex as a summariser for Brighton & Hove Albion matches.[13]

His elder brother Wayne Aspinall also played briefly in the Football League, making a solitary appearance for Wigan Athletic in March 1984 against Preston North End.

Honours

[edit]

Wigan Athletic

Aston Villa

Carlisle United

Individual

All honours referenced by:[16][17][18]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Colchester United – Player profile". Coludata. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Warren Aspinall – Football Stats – Soccer Base". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  3. ^ "Men on the Ropes – Warren Aspianll case study". Samaritans. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Bygone Blues: Warren Aspinall: Villa exit was always likely after my stamp". Portsmouth Today. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  5. ^ a b "Former Aston Villa star Warren Aspinall reveals how he tried to kill himself". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  6. ^ a b c d "Warren Aspinall – Portsmouth Football Club – The Pompey Chimes". The Pompey Chimes. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  7. ^ "1999 Sports Review (From Gazette)". Colchester Gazette. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  8. ^ "Time calls on Aspinall". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  9. ^ a b c d Naylor, Andy (11 September 2009). "Albion old boy almost paid with his life". The Argus. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  10. ^ Alexander, Brian (8 May 2008). "I just longed for the train to hit me". The Times. UK. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  11. ^ Story, Chris (8 May 2008). "Ex-Blues star seconds away from suicide after blowing £1m". News & Story. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  12. ^ Walker, Emily (9 September 2010). "Former Albion star joins suicide campaign after gambling away £1 million". The Argus. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
  13. ^ Naylor, Andy (11 September 2015). "The Friday Interview: He almost killed himself but life is a blast now for Warren Aspinall". The Argus. Brighton. Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  14. ^ "FREIGHT ROVER 85 WHERE ARE THEY NOW?". wiganathletic.com. 1 June 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  15. ^ Haylett, Trevor (21 April 1997). "Football: Happy ending for Carlisle". The Independent. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  16. ^ "Championship Honours (Tier Two)". Coludaybyday.co.uk. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  17. ^ "League Two (Tier Four)". Coludaybyday.co.uk. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  18. ^ "Associate Members Cup Finalists". Coludaybyday.co.uk. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
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