Former Aston Villa goalkeeper Nigel Spink has swapped the glory of European Cup success for a life behind the wheel of a delivery van. The 67-year-old, who made 460 appearances for the club between 1977 and 1996, is best remembered for his heroic performance in the 1982 European Cup final against Bayern Munich.
Spink had made just one first-team appearance before replacing injured No.1 Jimmy Rimmer after 10 minutes in Rotterdam. He produced a memorable display as Villa won 1-0 on a historic night. After retiring from playing in 2001 following a spell with Forest Green Rovers, he managed the club for two years, leading them to the FA Trophy final.
He later worked as a goalkeeping coach under Steve Bruce at Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic, Sunderland and Bristol City until his football career ended in summer 2013. His time in the North East inspired his next venture: courier work.
Spink set up S&M Couriers with a friend, Paul Munro. The Sutton Coldfield firm offers nationwide deliveries, house and office removals, and transport of motor industry parts. Spink told Birmingham Live: "I had a rented apartment up at Sunderland which belonged to Mick McCarthy when he was manager there. One of my best friends from my Villa days, Paul Munro, came up and helped me and we had a load of fun loading up the van and bringing it all back."
He added: "It was then that we talked and came up with the idea of running our own business and so S&M Courier launched after a lot of research and planning in 2012. When Steve lost his job at the Stadium of Light, I had to get all my stuff and move back to the Midlands. That November, we were actually driving back with the van loaded up, and we thought, what a great job this has been."
Spink enjoys the flexibility: "We work Monday to Friday, which is perfect because after years working every weekend and Bank Holiday as a footballer, I now get to have quality time with my family at the weekends."
Villa can win their first European trophy since that famous night when they face Freiburg in the Europa League final on Wednesday. While not the Champions League, it is a chance for the current squad to create their own legacy.
