Wisbech player of the year Spencer played through pain barrier

Wisbech Town skipper Sam Spencer is a real ‘Captain Courageous’ after revealing he played the whole of last season nursing a double groin injury.

Central defender Spencer (26), who has been voted Supporters’ Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year for the 2019/20 campaign, has also confirmed he hopes to lead the Fenmen again next season.

It was a Northern Premier League South East Division baptism of fire for the popular skipper after transferring from fellow step four side Yaxley.

Spencer, who started out as a youngster at St Neots, before playing for Huntingdon Town under former Wisbech boss Seb Hayes, switched to Wisbech last summer.

The Fenmen were bottom of the table when the season was declared null and void because of COVID-19.

“I’d had four successful years at Yaxley, where we’d won the United Counties League Premier Division and several other trophies and finished our first season at step four (in the Evo-Stik South Division One Central) mid-table on a very low budget.

“But I’ve always been an ambitious player, waiting for the right opportunity. When Seb asked me to join as captain, I saw it as a great move.

“I’d enjoyed playing under him before, I knew a few of the players, I liked the ground, I knew Wisbech had a great fan base and being given the captain’s arm band was a real honour.

“But it was never going to be easy. When Seb took over, only Ollie Gale, Aaron Hart and Layton Maddison remained from the old squad and he had to quickly get a group together.”

Hayes resigned just before Christmas and was replaced by interim manager Kevin Ward for a few matches before current manager Brett Whaley took charge in February. Those managerial changes also saw many players come and go.

“Any squad that uses nearly 60 players in aseason wil struggle. We had a decent core of seven or eight but we never had strength in depth,” said Spencer.

“We had too many luxury players in the team and, although we had some great young players, we had no-one to really step up and take their places when they needed a rest.

“We were usually in games but paid for missed chances or conceding silly goals.

“With a little bit more rub of the green we’d have been higher up the table, but it’s an unforgiving league and small mistakes are punished.”

But the Cambridge-based defender was never tempted to quit the club and hopes to be around next season too.

He added: “When Seb left, and the same with Kev, it was my job as skipper to rally round the lads and make sure everyone was up to the task in hand.

“I’d played for Brett before at Yaxley, including when we beat Wisbech in the United Counties League Knockout Cup final. If I’d not enjoyed working under him, then I wouldn’t be here now.

“I’ve been chatting to him since the season finished and I hope to be at the club whenever next season starts.”

Spencer was due in hospital last week for a double groin operation which he has needed since last August but it was cancelled because of the current coronavirus situation.

“I thought a May operation would be great as I would have been out of action for six weeks but back in time for the new season,” he said. “Hopefully I can reschedule soon.”

Furloughed from his job at a company providing sport and physical activity to primary schools, Spencer is keeping fit with cross training, running and dog walking.

On his two awards, which he is yet to receive, again because of COVID-19, he said: “It is a great feeling to be recognised not only by the players but also the fans. I’ve really appreciated their support all season.”