With options for the Phoenix diminishing thanks to international call-ups and illness, the responsibility of keeping the club on the right path in the A-League fell to the 25-year-old.
The opportunity could not have come at a more fitting time as he, along with his Auckland City teammates, gears up for the ASB Premiership kick-off next month and the FIFA Club World Cup in December.
Last contracted with the Phoenix during the 2007-08 season, Spoonley has been gaining experience at Auckland City and says getting the chance to play for the Wellington-based A-League side was great.
“It’s been a long time since I was contracted with the Phoenix so I tried to enjoy the opportunity,” he says.
“I tried to be relaxed and focus on my own game, rather than the environment and the crowd.”
With his career including FIFA Club World Cups, an U-20 World Cup, an Olympic campaign and All Whites call-ups, Spoonley is not short of top-level experience so stepping up to a professional level wasn’t difficult.
“The Phoenix have some good players – Paul Ifill, for example, has played at a high level in England. In comparisonm Auckland City has Ivan Vicelich and Manel Exposito who have played at the top level too. The main difference I’ve found between the professional and amateur level is you can’t afford to make as many mistakes. But Auckland City does a good job of being as professional as possible.”
Following the performance which saw him concede just one goal in Melbourne, Spoonley will not be making any quick decisions about his future.
“Everyone’s goal at Auckland City is to move on to a professional environment and that is the reason why a lot of people come here – it’s a stepping stone,” he says.
“So of course my goal is to return to a professional environment. But currently I’m combining club commitments with studying so at the end of next year when my study ends – fingers crossed and touch wood – I will have to make a decision.
“Europe is where the best club football is played – it’s a bit of a mecca. The A-League is progressing and Asian leagues have large investments and infrastructure. I think I would probably be looking at Europe then perhaps Asia or Australia.”
And playing that match with the Phoenix has already increased his future chances.
“The Phoenix are seen as a good club in the A-League and they have been there or thereabouts for the past three or four seasons. It’s a huge compliment to be asked to play for them and even after one match I’ve started receiving a few calls. It helps tremendously.”
While going professional is a long-term goal, short-term Spoonley is focusing on preparing for the FIFA Club World Cup Japan in December.
“It will be my third time at a Club World Cup and I’m looking forward to it. Any FIFA tournament is pretty special – you’re looked after pretty well and become the centre of the football universe even for the smallest amount of time. I’ll be taking the same approach there as I took with the Phoenix – to concentrate on my game and the match rather than the environment – and I’ll focus on what the coaching staff ask.”
He says he has familiarised himself with the J-League and the Japanese style of football since playing J-League representatives Kashiwa Reysol at the 2011 Club World Cup.
“I enjoy how they play – they’re fast, technical and good players – and we are learning more at the moment as a team.”

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