Sion Spence

Sion Spence (Welsh: Siôn Spence, born 2 October 2000) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for National League South club Havant & Waterlooville.

Sion Spence
Personal information
Full name Sion Spence[1]
Date of birth (2000-10-02) 2 October 2000[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Havant & Waterlooville
Youth career
Cardiff City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2020 Cardiff City 0 (0)
2019–2020 → Barry Town United (loan) 13 (1)
2020–2022 Crystal Palace 0 (0)
2021–2022 → Bristol Rovers (loan) 6 (1)
2022–2023 Gloucester City 18 (5)
2023 King's Lynn Town 12 (0)
2023– Havant & Waterlooville 0 (0)
International career‡
2016–2017 Wales U16
2018–2019 Wales U19
2021– Wales U21
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:19, 21 October 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17:10, 20 October 2021 (UTC)

Club career

Cardiff City

Spence started his career at Cardiff City where he was awarded the club's academy player of the year award for the 2017–18 season.[3] Spence was also part of the Cardiff City Under-18s side that was crowned champions of the PDL2 South.[4]

In September 2019, Spence joined Cymru Premier side Barry Town United on loan.[5]

Crystal Palace

Following his release from Cardiff, Spence joined Premier League side Crystal Palace in September 2020, initially joining up with the club's under-23s side.[6]

On 9 July 2021, Spence joined recently-relegated League Two side Bristol Rovers on a season-long loan deal.[7][8] He made his professional debut in a 2–0 EFL Cup defeat to Cheltenham Town.[9] On 25 September 2021, Spence made his league debut for the club when he came on as a 90th minute substitute for Harvey Saunders against Walsall. He scored to give Rovers a 2–1 victory, the club's first away win for 9 months.[10]

Spence was released by Crystal Palace at the end of the 2021–22 season.[11]

Gloucester City

On 4 August 2022, Spence signed for National League North club Gloucester City on a one-year deal.[12]

King's Lynn Town

On 7 July 2023, Spence signed for National League North club King's Lynn Town.[13]

Havant & Waterlooville

On 21 October 2023, Spence joined National League South bottom club Havant & Waterlooville.[14]

International career

In 2016, Spence scored for the Wales under-16 side as they defeated Northern Ireland under-16 side 3–1 to retain the Victory Shield.[15] He has also represented Wales at under-19[16] and under-21 level.[8]

In June 2021, Spence was shown a red card whilst representing the U21 team in a 0–0 draw with Moldova. Spence was shown a second yellow card for what was deemed to be simulation, despite having to leave the field on a stretcher on account of the challenge in the opposing penalty area.[17] In October 2021, Spence was called up to the Wales squad for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying matches against Moldova and Netherlands on 8 and 12 October 2021 respectively,[18] featuring off of the bench in the 5–0 defeat in the second of the two matches.[19]

Career statistics
As of 22 September 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Cardiff City 2019–20[20] Championship 0000000000
Barry Town United (loan) 2019–20[21] Cymru Premier 131000000131
Crystal Palace 2020–21[22] Premier League 0000000000
2021–22[23] Premier League 0000000000
Total 0000000000
Bristol Rovers (loan) 2021–22[23] League Two 6132102[lower-alpha 1]0123
Gloucester City 2022–23[21] National League North 18500001[lower-alpha 2]1196
King's Lynn Town 2023–24[21] National League North 9000000090
Career total 4673210315310
  1. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  2. Appearance (1 goal) in National League North play-offs

References
  1. "EFL – Squad List 2021/22: Bristol Rovers – Under 21 Contract Players" (PDF). English Football League. p. 25. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  2. "Sion Spence: Overview". ESPN. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  3. "Awards 2018". cardiffcityfc.co.uk. 6 May 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  4. "U18 side crowned PDL2 South Champions". cardiffcityfc.co.uk. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  5. "Sion Spence Signs For Barry Town United On Loan". barrytown.co.uk. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  6. "Sion Spence: Welsh youngster joins Crystal Palace". Y Clwb Pel-Droed. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  7. "Rovers Complete Signing of Sion Spence on Loan". bristolrovers.co.uk. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  8. "Rovers sign Palace's Spence on loan". BBC Sport.
  9. "Bristol Rovers 0–2 Cheltenham Town". BBC Sport. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  10. "Walsall 1–2 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  11. "Crystal Palace Academy confirms retained list and thanks departing players - News". Crystal Palace F.C. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  12. "Welcome To City Sion Spence". www.gloucestercityafc.com. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  13. "Welcome, Sion!". www.kltown.co.uk. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  14. "SION SPENCE SIGNS". www.havantandwaterloovillefc.co.uk. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  15. "Wales under-16s retain Victory Shield in Newport". South Wales Argus. 5 November 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  16. "International Bluebirds: October Results". cardiffcityfc.co.uk. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  17. "Wales U21 0–0 Moldova U21: Ten-man hosts held in Llaneli". BBC Sport. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  18. "Taylor returns for Wales U21 qualifiers". BBC Sport.
  19. "Uefa U21 Euro 2023 qualifying: Netherlands U21 5–0 Wales U21". BBC Sport. 12 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  20. "Games played by Sion Spence in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  21. Sion Spence at Soccerway
  22. "Games played by Sion Spence in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  23. "Games played by Sion Spence in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
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