Cyril Spiers

Spiers began his playing career at Halesowen Town during World War I and signed for Aston Villa in 1920, where he made 104 League and 8 FA Cup appearances over a seven-year career, competing with Tommy Jackson for a regular place. He made his debut on Christmas Day 1920, in a 4–3 defeat to Manchester United. He was forced to retire after suffering a serious injury and, believing that he could never play again, Aston Villa released him. However, he underwent experimental surgery and was able to return to football with Tottenham Hotspur, making 169 appearances between 1927 and 1932. Spiers was ever present in seasons 1929–30 and 1930–31 but missed the entire 1932–33 season through injury. He eventually left the club and became player-coach, and subsequently, assistant manager, to Frank Buckley at Wolverhampton Wanderers. He made eight appearances for "Wolves". ==Managerial career==

In 1939 he took over as secretary-manager at Cardiff City but his rebuilding of the team was cut short following the outbreak of World War II. He stayed at the club throughout the war and set up a number of nursery teams, including Cardiff Nomads who would go on to bring local football talent, including Alan Harrington and Colin Baker, to the club. He fell into dispute with the club over money and left to manage Norwich City in June 1946. Spiers died on 21 May 1967 aged 65. ==Managerial statistics==