Nigel Spackman (1989 to 1992)
Midfielder Nigel Spackman’s Rangers career came to a rather surprising end in September 1992 when he rejoined Chelsea in a deal worth £475,000.
Spackman had arrived at the Club from Queens Park Rangers in November 1989, just as Ray Wilkins was making the opposite move to London. Whilst Wilkins was a “Rolls Royce” of a player, Nigel was equally effective in a more workmanlike manner.
At 28 years of age, he had gained plenty of experience with Bournemouth and Chelsea before tasting success with Liverpool where he won the League Championship in season 1987/88.
His spell at QPR had proved to be a difficult one and he was delighted to join fellow Englishmen Chris Woods, Gary Stevens, Terry Butcher, Trevor Steven and Mark Walters in the Gers first team.
He made his debut shortly after signing in a 2-1 victory at Tynecastle before taking his Ibrox bow the following week (9th December 1989) in a 3-0 win over Motherwell. This was not his first appearance at Ibrox however, he had played and scored in Chelsea’s 3-2 friendly defeat on Valentines Day 1986.
Although not recognised for his goal scoring prowess, he didn’t have too long to wait for his first in Rangers colours and, quite frankly, he couldn’t have hand picked a better occasion. On just his sixth appearance, it was Nigel’s goal in the Old Firm clash on 2nd January 1990 which gave Rangers our first New Year win over Celtic at Parkhead for some 20 years. It would prove to be his only goal in that league campaign as he made 21 appearances and secured his first Premier Division Winners medal.
Nigel was excellent at breaking up play and was careful and positive in possession, distributing the ball on the ground in the old Liverpool style. Consistent, reliable, he was a first pick over the course of the next two seasons missing only 1 League match in season 1990/91 and just 2 in the 44 game campaign of 1991/92...an incredible record for someone playing in the middle of the park.
Perhaps his greatest Rangers moment came in the final match of season 1990/91 when, in the absence of Richard Gough through injury, he captained a beleaguered side to victory over Aberdeen to secure a third successive Championship for the Club.
Number 4, of course, duly arrived the following season and Nigel also added a Scottish Cup that year when Rangers defeated Airdrie 2-1 at Hampden. This completed the set of domestic medals for Spackman who had played in the League Cup Final victory over Celtic in October 1990.
Nigel’s 124th and final appearance came against Motherwell in a 4-1 win at Fir Park just 6 days before his departure. Many fans were disappointed to see Nigel leave the Club although the success of Treble Winning season 1992/93 would certainly vindicate Manager Walter Smith’s decision.
by Rick Plews
