FORMER Crystal Palace footballer Oliver Spedding, boyfriend of adult film star Sophie Anderson, has died aged 34.
Team-mates paid tribute to a player described as “a warrior on the pitch” and “a madman with a massive heart”, while a minute’s silence was held before his old team Croydon FC’s latest game.
Spedding had previously spoken about his regrets over going into porn after starting at Premier League side Palace.
He told of starring in X-rated films for just £150 per movie, as well as a stint in prison after leaving the Eagles.
Croydon FC announced his death in a tribute shared online.
The non-league club said: “Croydon FC are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former player, Oliver Spedding.
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“Oliver played for the club over a couple of spells and was a much-loved individual who always gave his utmost for the team.
“Oliver will be hugely missed by everyone at the club and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”
Referring to the club’s nickname, Croydon FC added: “Rest in Peace, Ollie. Once a Tram, always a Tram.”
Friends and ex-colleagues also paid their respects online.
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The club’s manager Liam Giles called Oliver’s death “such heartbreaking news”.
He added on X, formerly Twitter: “Ollie was a warrior on the pitch and gave 100 per cent every time he represented Croydon FC.
“We spoke a couple of weeks ago about him getting back into football.
“I hope you find your peace, mate – sleep tight.”
Another online tribute said: “RIP Ollie. A madman with a massive heart. Who was always genuine.”
And a fan posted: “Croydon FC was always a better place when this guy was around. Great player and a really nice guy.”
A lovely guy I can only say good things about
Former team-mate Kieran Rufus
Another wrote: “Very sad news indeed.
“Rest easy Ollie – always enjoyed his honesty and passion when playing for the club.”
Kieran Rufus, who used to play alongside Spedding in central defence for Croydon, posted: “I don’t really know what to say but I’m genuinely so hurt by the news of the passing of Ollie.
“For a time was my CB partner at Croydon FC and a lovely guy who I can only say good things about.
“RIP my bro and my heart goes out to his family.”
Spedding spoke on a podcast last year about his time as a budding young footballer hoping for top-flight success with Palace – before his time in jail saw him fall out of the game.
He then took up painting and decorating before going into porn, receiving £150 for his first X-rated movie job.
He recalled: “That was terrifying, being on my first set.
“People used to say to me, ‘You’re doing it all anyway’, because they knew I used to sleep with girls, I was a player – and they said, ‘You might as well get paid for it’.
“But it wasn’t until I had the confidence to actually do it – it was a whole different ball game.”
He did welcome how he met his girlfriend Sophie, a fellow adult entertainer, after getting involved in the porn industry.
But he added: “When I was at Crystal Palace, if I’d have stayed with them, then I could have been earning a lot more playing football.
“I used to fight as well, maybe that could have gone somewhere.
“I was good at both of those things, but being a porn star, I thought that would be just as good – but it’s not as good as people think.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
