Jordan Spence

File:JordanSpenceDebut.jpg

Spence joined West Ham United in 2004. In April 2006, he signed a contract as a full-time youth team academy player for the 2006–07 season, and made his reserve team debut that same month.{{cite news|url=http://www.whufc.com/page/News/0,,12562~1141750,00.html |title=Spence puts pen to paper, West Ham United FC |publisher=West Ham United F.C. |date=2 April 2006 |access-date=10 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925103809/http://www.whufc.com/articles/20060402/spence-puts-pen-to-paper_2236884_1141750|archive-date=25 September 2012 |url-status=dead}}

On 9 May 2010, Spence made his first team debut for West Ham, coming on in the 86th minute for Alessandro Diamanti, in a 1–1 home draw against Manchester City.{{cite news|last=Dawkes |first=Phil |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8666056.stm |title=West Ham 1–1 Man City |publisher=BBC Sport |date= 9 May 2010|access-date=10 May 2010}} Spence made his first start for West Ham on 15 May 2011 in a 3–2 away defeat by Wigan Athletic, a game which saw West Ham relegated.{{cite news|last=McNulty |first=Phil |author-link=Phil McNulty |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9484432.stm |title=Wigan 3–2 West Ham |publisher=BBC Sport |date= 15 May 2011|access-date=16 May 2011}} After their relegation, Spence signed a new contract with the club, keeping him there until 2014.{{cite news|url=http://www.whufc.com/articles/20110702/spence-signs_2236884_2385387|title=Spence Signs|publisher=West Ham United F.C.|date=1 July 2011|access-date=24 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903152234/http://www.whufc.com/articles/20110702/spence-signs_2236884_2385387|archive-date=3 September 2011|url-status=dead}}

In the 2012–13 season, Spence appeared in the club's first team on seven occasions, though he spent most of the season playing in the club's reserve team. Spence made his first appearance of the season in the second round of League Cup, in a 2–0 win over Crewe Alexandra on 28 August 2012,{{cite news|title=West Ham United 2 – 0 Crewe Alexandra|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19352829|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 August 2012|access-date=24 August 2016}} and then made his first league appearance of the season, coming on as substitute for James Tomkins in the late second-half, in a 4–1 win over Southampton on 20 October.{{cite news|title=West Ham United 2 – 1 Southampton|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19939627|publisher=Southampton F.C.|date=20 October 2012|access-date=24 August 2016}} After nine years with the club, Spence was released at the end of the 2013–14 season.{{cite web | url=http://talksport.com/football/spence-thanks-west-ham-following-release-14052292438 | title=Spence thanks West Ham following release | publisher=Talksport | date=22 May 2014 | access-date=23 May 2014}}

Before making his debut for West Ham, he made his professional club debut for Leyton Orient in their FA Cup second round match at Bradford City on 29 November 2008,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7741918.stm |title=Bradford City 1–2 Leyton Orient |date=29 November 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport }} having signed on loan on 25 November.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leyton_orient/7748846.stm |title=O's sign Hammers' Spence on loan |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 November 2008 |access-date=10 May 2010}} This looked to be his only match for Leyton Orient, as he was recalled to Upton Park on 5 January 2009, but he returned to Orient on 23 January and stayed until the end of the season.{{cite web|url=http://www.leytonorient.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10439~1530207,00.html |title=Spence rejoins Os on loan |date=23 January 2009 |publisher=Leyton Orient F.C. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090127025403/http://www.leytonorient.com/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10439~1530207%2C00.html |archive-date=27 January 2009 }} His Football League debut came in the 2–1 away defeat by Scunthorpe United the following day.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/7842915.stm |title=Scunthorpe 2–1 Leyton Orient |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 January 2009 |access-date=10 May 2010}}

Spence signed for Scunthorpe United on a one month loan on 17 August 2009,{{cite web|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=nonwire_soccer/09/08/17/manual_175701.html |title=Iron Land Spence on Loan |publisher=Sportinglife.com |access-date=10 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605031214/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=nonwire_soccer%2F09%2F08%2F17%2Fmanual_175701.html |archive-date= 5 June 2011 }} making his debut on 18 August in a 2–0 home defeat by Middlesbrough.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8195667.stm |title=Scunthorpe 0–2 Middlesbrough |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 August 2009 |access-date=10 May 2010}} On 29 August, Spence's loan at Scunthorpe was extended until 1 January 2010.[http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/page/News/0,,10442~1782152,00.html Iron to Extend Spence Loan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090902040121/http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/page/News/0%2C%2C10442~1782152%2C00.html |date= 2 September 2009 }} Scunthorpe United F.C. At the end of December 2009, his loan ended and he returned to West Ham, having played eleven times for Scunthorpe.{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5814406,00.html |title=Hammers recall Spence |publisher=Skysports.com |date=31 December 2009 |access-date=10 May 2010}}

On 3 March 2011, Spence signed on a 28-day loan for Championship side Bristol City,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/9412978.stm|title=Bristol City sign up West Ham's Jordan Spence on loan |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 March 2011 |access-date=3 March 2011}} making his debut on 5 March in the 4–1 away victory over Coventry City.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/9410523.stm|title=Coventry 1 – 4 Bristol City |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 March 2011 |access-date=6 March 2011}} On 30 March, this loan was extended until the end of the 2010–11 season.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/9441005.stm|title=West Ham's Jordan Spence extends Bristol City loan |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 March 2011 |access-date=12 April 2011}} On 4 May, West Ham manager Avram Grant recalled Spence for him to provide back-up for defenders for the Premier League season run-in.{{cite web|url=http://www.whufc.com/articles/20110504/spence-recalled_2236884_2352589|title=Spence recalled|publisher=West Ham United F.C.|access-date=16 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110506160904/http://www.whufc.com/articles/20110504/spence-recalled_2236884_2352589|archive-date=6 May 2011|url-status=dead}}

On 3 August 2011, Spence re-joined Bristol City for a season-long loan, with the option for West Ham to recall him from January 2012.{{cite news|title=Bristol City sign Jordan Spence on loan from West Ham|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14390637.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=3 August 2011|date=3 August 2011}} Spence's first game after signing for the club on loan for the second time came in the opening game of the season, in a 3–0 loss against Ipswich Town.{{cite news|title=Bristol City 0 – 3 Ipswich Town|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footb,all/14351931|publisher=BBC Sport|date=6 August 2011|access-date=24 August 2016}} However, Spence's playing time was soon reduced under the management of Derek McInnes, and was an unused substitute for two matches, before being left out of the squad for three months.{{cite news|title=Louis Carey in for injured Cole Skuse|url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/louis-carey-injured-cole-skuse/story-13412828-detail/story.html|work=Bristol Post|date=27 September 2011|access-date=24 August 2016}}{{dead link|date=January 2017}} In April 2012, Spence returned to West Ham having played 10 games for Bristol City.{{cite web|title=Loan Duo End City Spells |url=http://www.bcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10327~2746356,00.html |publisher=Bristol City F.C. |access-date=24 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505122848/http://www.bcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10327~2746356%2C00.html |archive-date= 5 May 2012 }}

On 31 August 2013, Spence signed on an emergency loan for Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.{{cite web | url=http://www.swfc.co.uk/news/article/spence-signs-1025892.aspx | title=Spence signs |publisher=Sheffield Wednesday F.C. |access-date=24 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903070402/http://www.swfc.co.uk/news/article/spence-signs-1025892.aspx|archive-date=3 September 2013 |url-status=live}} On the same day, Spence made his debut, starting in a 1–1 draw against Middlesbrough.{{cite news|title=Middlesbrough 1 – 1 Sheffield Wednesday|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23822603|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 August 2013|access-date=24 August 2016}} Spence played four games for Sheffield Wednesday, before returning to West Ham at the end of September.{{cite news | url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-w/brighton-ha-v-sheffield-wednesday-hard-work-key-to-owls-improving-fortunes-says-nuhiu-1-6101758 | title=Brighton & HA v Sheffield Wednesday: Hard work key to Owls improving fortunes, says Nuhiu | newspaper=Yorkshire Post | access-date=2 October 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.swfc.co.uk/news/article/spence-returns-to-west-ham-1087207.aspx|title=Spence returns to West Ham|publisher=Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|date=30 September 2013|access-date=24 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002010130/http://www.swfc.co.uk/news/article/spence-returns-to-west-ham-1087207.aspx|archive-date=2 October 2013 |url-status=live}}

Spence joined Milton Keynes Dons on a one-month loan on 24 October 2013.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24654643 | title=MK Dons bring in West Ham United's Jordan Spence | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=28 October 2013}} He made his debut on 26 October in a 3–2 away defeat by Tranmere Rovers. Although Spence gave away a penalty, manager Karl Robinson described Spence's debut as "wonderful".{{cite news | url=http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/sport/mk-dons/robbo-left-shell-shocked-after-tranmere-defeat-1-5629615 | title=Robbo left 'shell-shocked' after Tranmere defeat | work=Milton Keynes Citizen | access-date=28 October 2013}} He scored his first career goal at club level on 26 November in a 3–1 away defeat by Colchester United. After playing 12 games for Milton Keynes Dons, Spence returned to West Ham in January 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.mkweb.co.uk/Sport/Football/MK-Dons/2013-2014/Football-West-Ham-United-youngster-leaves-club-20140108161927.htm |title=Football: West Ham United youngster leaves club |publisher=mkweb.co.uk |access-date=19 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111025804/http://www.mkweb.co.uk/Sport/Football/MK-Dons/2013-2014/Football-West-Ham-United-youngster-leaves-club-20140108161927.htm |archive-date=11 January 2014 }} On 30 January, Spence re-joined Milton Keynes Dons on loan until the end of the 2013–14 season.{{cite web |title=Spence returns to stadiummk |url=http://www.mkdons.com/news/article/spence-returns-to-stadiummk-1327929.aspx |publisher=Milton Keynes Dons F.C. |date=30 January 2014}} Spence's first game after signing for the club on loan for the second time, came on 1 February, in a 1–0 loss against Tranmere Rovers, the same club he played against for the first time.{{cite news|title=Milton Keynes Dons 0 – 1 Tranmere Rovers|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25892506|publisher=BBC Sport|date=1 February 2014|access-date=24 August 2016}} Spence scored for the club for the second time this season, in a 3–2 win over Stevenage on 22 March.{{cite news|title=Stevenage 2 – 3 Milton Keynes|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26589261|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 March 2014|access-date=24 August 2016}} Spence went on to finish the 2013–14 season, making twenty-nine appearances and scoring two times.

Despite interests from Championship clubs,{{cite news|title=Championship clubs chase West Ham defender Jordan Spence|url=http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/464471/Championship-clubs-chase-West-Ham-defender-Jordan-Spence|work=The Daily Express|date=12 March 2014|access-date=24 August 2016}} it was announced on 21 August, that Spence joined Milton Keynes Dons on a permanent deal, signing a one-year contract with a further option of extending for another year.{{cite web|title=Spence returns to stadiummk|url=http://www.mkdons.com/news/article/spence-returns-to-stadiummk-1851702.aspx|publisher=Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|access-date=21 August 2014|date=21 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328154921/http://www.mkdons.com/news/article/spence-returns-to-stadiummk-1851702.aspx|archive-date=28 March 2016 |url-status=live}} Spence's first game after signing for the club on a permanent basis came on 31 August, coming on as a substitute for Dean Bowditch in the 72nd minute, in a 2–0 loss against Crawley Town.{{cite news|title=Milton Keynes Dons 2 – 0 Crawley Town|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28906337|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 August 2014|access-date=24 August 2016}} During the season, Spence found himself, competing over a right-back position spot with Lee Hodson and George Baldock throughout the 2014–15 season. Despite this, Spence played 38 games for Milton Keynes Dons in the 2014–15 season as they won promotion to the Championship, as runners-up.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32471126 | title=Milton Keynes Dons 5–1 Yeovil | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=3 May 2015}} Milton Keynes opted to take up their option of a contract extension that would ensure Spence remained under contract for the 2015–16 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.mkdons.com//news/article/retained-list-revealed-mk-dons-retained-list-mk-dons-contracts-2466440.aspx|title=Retained list revealed|publisher=Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|date=22 May 2015|access-date=24 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528050539/http://www.mkdons.com//news/article/retained-list-revealed-mk-dons-retained-list-mk-dons-contracts-2466440.aspx|archive-date=28 May 2016 |url-status=live}}

In the 2015–16 season, Spence continued to be in the right-back position at the start of the season and continued to regain his first team place until he was suspended for a third round replay of FA Cup, in a 3–0 win over Northampton Town on 19 January 2016.{{cite news|title=REPORT: Milton Keynes Dons 3–0 Northampton Town: Dons set up Chelsea clash|url=http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/sport/football/mk-dons/report-dons-3-0-northampton-dons-set-up-chelsea-clash-1-7170299|work=Milton Keynes Citizen|date=19 January 2016|access-date=24 August 2016}} After this, Spence soon lost his first team place in the right-back position, following the emergence of Baldock as the season progressed.{{cite news|title=REPORT: Cardiff City 0–0 Milton Keynes Dons: Point apiece in wet Wales|url=http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/sport/football/mk-dons/report-cardiff-0-0-mk-dons-point-apiece-in-wet-wales-1-7201538|work=Milton Keynes Citizen|date=6 May 2016|access-date=24 August 2016}} Despite this, Spence finished the 2015–16 season, making 33 appearances, as they were relegated back to League One after a season. On 12 May, Spence was released from the club, after it was announced his contract would not be renewed.{{cite web|url=http://www.mkdons.com//news/article/dons-make-decisions-on-players-mk-dons-retained-list-2016-mk-dons-contracts-mk-dons-deals-mk-dons-jordan-spence-mk-dons-antony-kay-mk-dons-matt-upson-mk-dons-nicky-maynard-mk-dons-3109345.aspx?site=desktop|title=Dons make decisions on players|publisher=Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|access-date=26 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512215928/http://www.mkdons.com/news/article/dons-make-decisions-on-players-mk-dons-retained-list-2016-mk-dons-contracts-mk-dons-deals-mk-dons-jordan-spence-mk-dons-antony-kay-mk-dons-matt-upson-mk-dons-nicky-maynard-mk-dons-3109345.aspx|archive-date=12 May 2016 |url-status=live}}

After being rejected after his initial trial at the club during the early stages of the 2016–17 season, and then being similarly rejected by both Rotherham United and Birmingham City,{{cite news|url = http://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/30972/town-sign-former-trialist-spence|title = Town Sign Former Triallist Spence| publisher = twtd.co.uk|access-date = 16 January 2017}} on 16 January 2017, he signed a deal until the end of the season with Ipswich Town. Spence scored his first goal for the club on 15 August, a late header from a free kick, to clinch a 4–3 victory for Ipswich over Millwall.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40858336|title=Millwall 3–4 Ipswich Town|date=15 August 2017|publisher=BBC Sport}} He was released at the end of the 2018–19 season.{{cite news |url=https://www.itfc.co.uk/news/2019/may/town-announce-retained-list/ |title=Gerken Included in Released Blues|publisher=Ipswich Town F.C.|date=20 May 2019 |access-date=20 May 2019}}

In January 2020, Spence joined Dutch team ADO Den Haag on a contract until the end of the 2019–20 season.{{Cite web|url=http://www.football-oranje.com/ado-den-haag-bring-in-spence/|title=ADO Den Haag bring in Spence|date=22 January 2020|website=Football Oranje}} He was released in July after the expiration of his contract and due to the Eredivise season being ended by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spence captained the England U16s to the Victory Shield in November 2005,{{cite web | url=http://www.whufc.com.p.preprod.performgroup.com/articles/jordan-spence-milton-keynes-dons_2228487_43922 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20150422065905/http://www.whufc.com.p.preprod.performgroup.com/articles/jordan-spence-milton-keynes-dons_2228487_43922 | url-status=dead | archive-date=22 April 2015 | title=Jordan Spence | publisher=West Ham United F.C. | access-date=22 April 2015 }} then led England U17 to the final of the Nordic Tournament, playing in the Faroe Islands in August 2006 and scoring in his second match. England finished at the top of their 4-team group, but lost the final to Denmark in Tórshavn.{{cite web | url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/MatchRsl/MatchRslTmU17.html | title=England U17 Match results | publisher=englandfootballonline.com | access-date=22 April 2015}}

In 2007, he was named in U17s coach John Peacock's squad for the Elite qualifying round of the Under-17 European Championships against Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Azerbaijan.{{cite web|url=http://www.whufc.com/news/?page_id=8894|title=Busy week for Hammers on international duty|publisher=West Ham United F.C.|date=21 March 2007|access-date=11 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929084217/http://www.whufc.com/news/?page_id=8894|archive-date=29 September 2007 |url-status=dead}} Spence captained England in the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup, first time the country had reached the World Cup finals at this age group. Against Brazil, he scored a late winner in injury time, which put England through to the last 16; this was the first time England had beaten Brazil at a FIFA tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/u17worldcup/news/newsid=580235.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070827070014/http://www.fifa.com/u17worldcup/news/newsid=580235.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 August 2007 |title=Skipper Spence History Maker |website=fifa.com |date=24 August 2007 |access-date=10 May 2010}}

On 20 November 2007, Spence captained the England U18 team in a 2–0 victory over Ghana.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/England/mens-u18s/News/2009/EnglandGhanareaction |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20120502224016/http://www.thefa.com/England/mens-u18s/News/2009/EnglandGhanareaction |url-status=dead |archive-date= 2 May 2012 |title=Eastick's challenge |website=thefa.com |access-date=11 September 2014 }} He made his first appearance for the England U19 team in their 6–0 victory over Romania, a month before, on 14 October.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/England/mens-u19s/News/2009/Englandromaniareport |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20120506115303/http://www.thefa.com/England/mens-u19s/News/2009/Englandromaniareport |url-status=dead |archive-date= 6 May 2012 |title=Young Lions hit six |website=thefa.com |access-date=11 September 2014 }} The England U18 team finished the 2007–08 season unbeaten, under Spence's captaincy, with a 2–0 win over Austria on 16 April 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/England/mens-u18s/News/2009/englandu18s_austria |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20120502223824/http://www.thefa.com/England/mens-u18s/News/2009/englandu18s_austria |url-status=dead |archive-date= 2 May 2012 |title=England are all Hart |website=thefa.com |access-date=11 September 2014 }}

In the 2008–09 season, Spence continued to be involved with the England under-19 team, helping them to qualify for the UEFA U19 Championships in the summer of 2009, in which they finished runners up. In March 2011, Spence made his England U21 debut in a 2–1 defeat by Iceland. He has captained the England national team at every youth level.{{cite news|url=http://www.whufc.com/page/News/0,,12562~1582161,00.html |title=England date for Spence |publisher=West Ham United F.C. |date=7 March 2009 |access-date=10 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310122024/http://www.whufc.com/page/News/0%2C%2C12562~1582161%2C00.html |archive-date=10 March 2009 }}

In June 2014, he married actress Naomi Scott, after four years of dating. He met her at church, when she was 16.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/jordanjspence/status/595879074410713088|title=@NaomiScott, love you more...|publisher=Jordan Spence on Twitter}}{{cite web|url=https://instagram.com/p/pGdlsdSnD3/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/pGdlsdSnD3 |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|title=<3|publisher=naomiscottmusic on Instagram}}{{cbignore}}

{{updated|match played 7 March 2020}}

{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

Milton Keynes Dons

• Football League One runner-up: 2014–15{{Cite web |url=https://www.mkdons.com/news/2015/december/2015-dons-clinch-promotion-in-style/ |title=2015: Dons clinch promotion in style |publisher=Milton Keynes Dons F.C. |date=30 December 2015 |access-date=23 September 2017 }}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{sports links}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Spence, Jordan}}

Category:1990 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Redbridge

Category:People from Woodford, London

Category:English men's footballers

Category:England men's youth international footballers

Category:England men's under-21 international footballers

Category:West Ham United F.C. players

Category:Leyton Orient F.C. players

Category:Scunthorpe United F.C. players

Category:Bristol City F.C. players

Category:Sheffield Wednesday F.C. players

Category:Milton Keynes Dons F.C. players

Category:Ipswich Town F.C. players

Category:ADO Den Haag players

Category:Premier League players

Category:English Football League players

Category:Eredivisie players

Category:Black British sportsmen

Category:Men's association football defenders

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in the Netherlands

Category:English expatriate men's footballers

Category:English people of Jamaican descent

Category:21st-century English sportsmen