Daniel Spiller (born 10 October 1981) is an English former professional footballer.
Career Spiller began his professional career with Gillingham. A product of the club's youth system, he signed his first professional contract in 2000 but saw his first season ravaged by injury and did not make his league debut in the 2001–02 season. In January 2002, he joined League of Ireland Premier Division side Longford Town on loan along with Richard Rose. Spiller came to the fore during the 2003–04 season when he was player of the season after a string of man-of-the-match performances. He finished the season by signing a contract keeping him at Priestfield Stadium until 2007. In 2004 West Ham tabled a bid of £750,000 for Spiller which was subsequently turned down by the Gillingham board. Gillingham chairman Paul Scally was quoted as saying "anything under a million is an insult".Gills Slap Price on Spiller, BBC Football, 8 June 2004. Retrieved 13 July 2009Spiller Staying with Gills, BBC Football, 14 June 2004. Retrieved 13 July 2009
Predominantly a midfielder, Spiller has also played as a striker, and right-back, although his preferred position is in central midfield.
On 11 June 2007, it was announced that Spiller had agreed terms to join Millwall on 1 July 2007.Lions Land Alexander and Spiller, BBC Football, 11 June 2007. Retrieved 13 July 2009 After struggling with injuries, Spiller only managed 10 appearances for Millwall, scoring one goal in a 1–0 home victory over Cheltenham Town.Millwall 1–0 Cheltenham , Millwall F.C., 18 August 2007. Retrieved 13 July 2009 On 27 May 2009, Spiller was released from his contract at Millwall.Jackett Releases 10 in Lions Cull, BBC Football, 27 May 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2009
Spiller signed on non-contract terms with Wycombe Wanderers for a month during August 2009,, Wycombe Wanderers F.C., 9 August 2009. Retrieved 11 September 2009 before leaving the club to sign for Welling United on 4 September 2009.Spiller Joins Wings , Football Conference, 4 September 2009. Retrieved 11 September 2009 After making one appearance and spending 6 days with Welling, Spiller joined League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge on a contract until January 2010.Daggers Sign Spiller, Dagenham & Redbridge F.C., 10 September 2009. Retrieved 11 September 2009 His debut for Dagenham & Redbridge came on 12 September when he came on as a substitute for Danny Green in a 2–1 home win against Chesterfield.
When Andy Hessenthaler re-joined Gillingham as manager, he brought Spiller in on trial, and signed him on a five-month contract. He made his second debut for Gillingham in a 1–1 home draw against Cheltenham Town on 7 August 2010, and the contract was extended for a further year and a half in December 2010.
Spiller signed a two-year contract with Conference Premier side Luton Town on 17 June 2012 after his release from Gillingham. He injured his Achilles tendon shortly after signing and did not play a single game for the club throughout the 2012–13 season. After numerous unsuccessful operations, Luton terminated Spiller's contract in July 2013, stating that the long-term prognosis of his injury was "showing little signs of improvement".
On 12 February 2015, Spiller signed for Isthmian League Division One South side Herne Bay. Three days later, he scored the second goal in a 2-0 derby victory against Ramsgate, but after making seven further appearances in the 2014-15 season, and one in the next, he did not play for the club again.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGillingham2000–01First Division00000000002001–02First Division10000000102002–03First Division1001020001302003–04First Division3962020004362004–05Championship2200010002302005–06League One31000002Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy03302006–07League One250000000250Total12863050201386Longford Town (loan)2001–02League of Ireland Premier Division4100000041Millwall2007–08League One61001000712008–09League One2010000030Total81101000101Wycombe Wanderers2009–10League One0000100010Welling United2009–10Conference South1000000000Dagenham & Redbridge2009–10League Two100000000100Gillingham2010–11League Two3021010103322011–12League Two152001000162Total454102010494Luton Town2012–13Conference Premier0000000000Herne Bay2014–15Isthmian Division One South81000000812015–16Isthmian Division One South1000001Appearance(s) in Alan Turvey Trophy020Total91000010101Career total2051350904022313
Honours
Individual
Gillingham Young Player of the Season: 2002–03 Gillingham Player of the Season: 2003–04
References
External links