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Johnny Spuhler
John Oswald Spuhler (18 September 1917 – 7 January 2007) was an English professional footballer who played as a centre forward. He played in the Football League for Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Darlington. Football careerSpuhler was born in Fulwell, Sunderland in 1917.[2] He won two caps for the England schoolboys team.[2] He worked both in the office at Sunderland AFC and as a joiner before signing professional terms with Sunderland in September 1934.[3] Arsenal offered Sunderland £2,000 for Spuhler in 1937, but he turned down the transfer.[2] Spuhler scored 5 times in 35 matches prior to the onset of World War Two.[1] During the Second World War, Spuhler appeared as a guest player for Middlesbrough and transferred to the club in October 1945 for a fee of £1,750.[3] He broke his nose in a match against Blackpool in 1950, which he eventually required hospital treatment for.[3] He scored 69 goals in 216 league matches for the club before transferring to Darlington in 1954 for a fee of £1,000 after Middlesbrough's relegation.[3] He scored 19 times in 67 league matches for Darlington.[1] He became player-manager at non-League club Spennymoor United in 1956 and later held a managerial role at Shrewsbury Town, and a coaching role at Stockton.[3] He also coached the Army in Germany, and managed the West Auckland Town side which reached the 1961 FA Amateur Cup final.[2] Style of playSpuhler played as a centre forward. He was noted for his speed and heading ability, rather than technique on the ball.[3] Personal lifeSpuhler married his wife Nancy in November 1939, and the couple had two children.[2] After retirement from football, Spuhler worked as a sub-postmaster in Yarm before retiring at 55.[2] He died on 7 January 2007 at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough following a short illness.[4][5] References
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