Matthew Spring

Matthew John Spring (born 17 November 1979, in Harlow, Essex) is an England central midfielder currently playing for Sheffield United F.C. on loan from Luton Town F.C..

Career

Luton Town

Spring started his career at Luton, making his debut as a half-time substitute in a 3-0 loss to Bristol City F.C. on 27 September 1997. He went onto make 12 further appearances that season, and in the 1998-99 in English football season established himself as a first-team regular. In total he made 289 appearances for the Hatters, scoring 30 goals.

Leeds United

Despite missing the last three months of the 2003-04 in English football season through injury, Spring was signed by newly appointed Leeds United F.C. manager Kevin Blackwell on a Bosman ruling, as he re-modelled his newly relegated side. Spring's first season in the Football League Championship was an unhappy one, with a combination of injuries and personal problems restricting him to just 15 appearances.

Watford

As the 2005-06 in English football season commenced Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd, who had worked with Spring when he was first team coach at Leeds, brought the midfielder to Vicarage Road to be part of his reshaped side. Spring scored on his debut, coming off the bench to put in a late third in a 3-1 victory over Burnley F.C. on 20 August 2006. As Boothroyd's side flew high in the Division, Spring, a regular in the side, scored 7 further goals from central midfield by January. However, he didn't score again until Watford reached the play-offs in May, when he scored the third goal in the 3-0 victory against Crystal Palace F.C. in the first leg of the semi-final.

Spring's chances were limited in Watford's FA Premier League campaign. Making only two starts all season, he found himself behind new signing Damien Francis and Alhassan Bangura.

Luton Town

On 18 January 2007 Luton signed Spring back from Watford for a fee of £200,000 (rising to £300,000).

On 31st July 2008, Spring joined Sheffield United F.C. on a year long loan deal, signalling the end of a disappointing second stint at Luton Town. He made his debut for the Blades in the first round of the League Cup, a home tie against Port Vale F.C. in August of that year.

Rivalry

Spring is one of the few players to have played for both Luton and their arch-rivals Watford. On the 10 September 2002 he scored a 30-yard goal in a 2-1 victory over Watford in the Football League Cup, the first meeting of the two sides for over three years. His subsequent transfer to Watford was controversial amongst Luton fans. Meanwhile Watford supporters often regailed Spring with the chant of "Oh Springy, Springy, used to be a scummer but he's alright now" during his time at the club. Spring was a vital cog in Watford's promotion and many fans have been disappointed to see him sold.