A veteran of three Club World Cups already Spoonley has turned down the chance to add to his tally this year, instead opting to sign with Team Wellington ahead of the 2013/14 ASB Premiership season.
Spoonley made 80 first team appearances for Auckland City across all competitions during his five seasons with the club and currently sits as the 11th highest appearance maker of all-time. He was part of the side victorious in the 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013 editions of the OFC Champions League and the recipient of the competitions Golden Gloves for best goalkeeper in 2011 and 2012.
The Auckland City executive board have expressed their sincere gratitude to Spoonley for his services during his time with the club.
“As well as being an outstanding goalkeeper, Jacob has at all times displayed a very high level of professionalism both on and off the playing field. This ensured he was a fantastic role model for all young keepers at the club as well as being one of our most respected players,” the executive board said.
“A true gentleman in every sense of the word he will be missed by everyone at Kiwitea Street. We wish him well for the next stage of his football career and look forward to welcoming him back to Kiwitea Street in a few months’ time when the 2013/14 ASB Premiership season commences.”
It is hoped Spoonley will earn more game time with the move after finding himself on the bench in place of Tamati Williams for much of last season.
Despite a lack of game time, Spoonley still earned a call up for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Stage 3 qualifier match against Solomon Islands in Honiara on March 26 and was on the bench in Dunedin against New Caledonia a few days earlier.
With the All Whites intercontinental play-off in November, plus the retirement of goalkeeper Mark Paston, Spoonley is hoping he can catch the eye of New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert.
“I think I can provide a bit of experience from being round the traps for a while in terms of domestic football and I’ve been in the All Whites environment,” Spoonley said.
“Hopefully these things will play in to my favour when it comes to decisions being made but I’d love to be part of the environment and I’ll really push to show that I can step up and be a backup to Mossy [Glen Moss], if not then I’d happily take the No.3 spot.”
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