FORMER Aston Villa goalkeeper Nigel Spink who helped the side lift the European Cup in 1982 now works as a courier.
The Villa legend spent 19 years at the Midlands club featuring in 460 games between 1977 and 1996.
No doubt the highlight of his footie career was winning a European Cup winners’ medal after the Villans defeated Bayern Munich.
After seeing out his playing career with Forest Green Rovers in 2001 he then managed the side for two years helping them get to the FA Trophy Final that year.
He then worked under Steve Bruce at Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and Sunderland as a goalkeeping coach.
Spink though left Sunderland in December 2011 a few days after Bruce had been dismissed.
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Being considered a safe pair of hands has probably helped after he took a career change delivering parcels and setting up his own courier business, S&M Couriers.
The Sutton Coalfield firm offers deliveries nationwide, house and office removals and transports parts for the motor industry.
Spink, 64, said: “I had a rented apartment up at Sunderland which belong to Mick McCarthy when he was manager there.
“When Steve lost his job at the Stadium of Light, I had to get all my stuff and move back to the Midlands.
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“One of my best friends from my Villa days, Paul Munro, came up and helped me and we had a load of fun loading up the van and bringing it all back.
“It was then that we talked and came up with the idea of running our own business and so S&M Courier launched after a lot of research and planning in 2012.”
Spink added: “I enjoy every minute of it. We have some wonderful clients we work with all the time – and we’re open to anything.
“Both of us have had our vans in Villa colours – the club is still a big favourite for both of us.
“We work Monday to Friday, which is perfect because after years working every weekend and Bank Holiday as a footballer, I now get to have quality time with my family at the weekends.”
He said: “With Steve Bruce at Wigan we were always in his big Merc going back up and down.
“At Sunderland we had apartments, but I’d go home on my day off, so I’ve always driven.
“I love driving and I’m loving it now just as much.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
