Coach

After a distinguished 20 year playing career Spiksley became a famous international coach and talent scout. After initially freelancing in the London area he eventually took a role coaching for the Stockholm FA where he gained his first title as a coach by helping  AIK win the Swedish League Championship.

His role developed into him becoming the coach of the Swedish International team in 1911. Despite only being in the country for a short time Spiksley was credited for revolutionising football in the Sweden leaving a lasting legacy and his footballing theories were translated into a Swedish book on how to play the game that was published in 1918.

Further employment followed in Germany, when in 1913 he was coach to Munich 1860, the premier team in the city at that time. At the outbreak of World War One Spiksley was arrested whilst coach of 1FC Nuremburg but after spending only a few days captive in Ruhleben POW Camp he bluffed his way out and set off on the long journey back home. During the remainder of the war he became a munitions inspector in Pittsburgh, where he became one of the directors of the Pittsburgh Football Association.

In the 1920’s Spiksley went on to coach In USA, Mexico, Peru, Spain, France and Switzerland, as well as a two year appointment at Fulham where his side famously knocked out Dixie Dean’s Everton side in a massive FA Cup upset. He was successful in achieving the Mexican title as well as coaching and refereeing teams in Barcelona, including FC Barcelona.

Spiksley’s greatest achievements as a coach came when he returned to Germany in 1926 for a second stint as coach at 1FC Nuremberg. This time he masterminded the first victory of a German side over an English professional side when 1FCN defeated Burnley 4:2 at the Zabo Stadium. He then lead his Nuremberg side to the German Championship before returning England.

In 1931 he recorded a film for the Pathe News which he intended to take into schools to show children how to practice skills. Although now clearly showing it’s age, it was at the time groundbreaking and shows some drills that are still recognisable to this day.