Warren Aspinall (born 13 September 1967) is an English former footballer, who played for a number of teams, having the most significant impact at Portsmouth and Carlisle United.

Starting his career with Wigan Athletic in 1985, he then had short spells with Everton and Aston Villa, before signing with Portsmouth in 1988. Five years later he moved onto Bournemouth, before joining Carlisle United in 1995. After leaving the club in 1997, he finished his career with spells with Brentford, Colchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion.

After retiring from the game, his alcohol and gambling addictions brought him to the brink of suicide. Once he recovered from his problems he returned to the game as a scout.

[edit] Playing career

Aspinall began his career with Third Division side Wigan Athletic in 1985–86. The teenager was quickly spotted by First Division Everton, signing with the Toffees in February 1986 for £150,000. He was loaned back to his old club, scoring four goals in twenty appearances.

Top flight strugglers Aston Villa bought Aspinall for £300,000 in February 1987. They were relegated in bottom place at the end of the season, whilst Everton claimed the title.

Villa came straight back up in 1987–88, as Second Division runners-up.

At the start of the 1988–89 season he was picked up by second tier Portsmouth for £315,000. Over the next five seasons he would make around 150 appearances for Pompey across all competitions.

During the start of the 1993–94 season he enjoyed loan spells with third tier clubs Bournemouth and Swansea City. Bournemouth paid £20,000 for his services full-time before 1993 was out. In 1994–95 they narrowly avoided relegation to the basement division.

In March 1995, Aspinall joined Carlisle United on a free transfer. At the end of the season his new club lifted the Third Division title. Though in 1995–96 they came straight down.

In 1996–97, Carlisle were promoted again, this time in third place. Aspinall played 44 games that season, scoring six goals, including one again old club Swansea.

The 1997–98 season saw Carlisle lose their third tier status once again. Aspinall was sold to Brentford for £50,000 in November 1997, though suffered the same fate, as Brentford were relegated alongside Carlisle.

He was something of a veteran by 1998–99, he played 26 games before signing with Colchester United in March 1998, following a one month loan.

At the start of the 1999–2000 season he joined Brighton & Hove Albion on loan. He signed permanently two months later on a free transfer.

He retired in November 2000, accepting that he would never fully recover from a long-term ankle injury.^[1]

[edit] Post-retirement

After leaving the game, Aspinall turned to drink and picked up a gambling addiction.^[2] His gambling cost him around £1 million that he earned during his long career.^[2] On the verge of suicide, after narrowly avoiding death by train,^[3] saved only by last minute thoughts of his family,^[4] he checked himself into the Sporting Chance clinic.^[2]

He is now working in a Sainsbury's distribution centre in Basingstoke.^[2] He also scouts for League Two side Port Vale, under manager Micky Adams.^[2]

[edit] Honours

with Everton

• Football League First Division runner-up: 1985–86

with Aston Villa

• Football League Second Division runner-up: 1987–88

with Carlisle United

• Football League Third Division champion: 1994–95
• Football League Third Division third place promotion winner: 1996–97

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Warren Aspinall career stats at Soccerbase