Midfielder Michael
"Mickey" Spillane was a member of Norwich's Under-16
squad for the 2004/5 season. In January 2005, he was awarded
a scholarship with Norwich to commence at the start of the 2005/6
season. He is equally at home at centre-back or in central midfield.
Spillane attended a training camp with the Republic of Ireland
over the Christmas of 2004 and made his debut for the Republic's
Under-17 team against Slovenia at Home Park in Dublin on Thursday
February 18th 2005. Michael played all 90minutes as the Irish
won 2-0.
After accompanying the first team squad on a number of occassions
during the autumn and winter of 2005, Michael made his full debut
for the injury-plagued Canaries as substitute in their FA Cup
third round defeat at home to West Ham on 7th January 2006. he
is the yougnest player to represent Norwich in the FA Cup.
In February 2006, Michael and Academy newcomer Mark
O'Toole helped the Republic of Ireland Under-17s to second
place in the Algarve Tourament - Michael scoring the only goal
of the game between the Irish and hosts Portugal.
On 15th April 2006, Michael made his full debut for the Canaries
in their 1-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday. He kept his place
in the side for the 3-2 win over QPR two days later on Easter
Monday.
On 30th June 2006, Michael signed a three-year professional contract
with the Canaries.
Although out of the first team reckoning under Peter Grant during
2006/7, Michael was a regular for the Republic of ireland Under
18s, captaining them in a victorious international tournament
in Portugal against the host nation, Belgium and Georgia. Michael
scored the winner against Portugal and two goals in a 2-2 draw
with Belgium. He was described by Irish coach Sean McCaffrey as
"a key man for us in our Under-19s so he is captain of
the Under-18s and he's very crucial for us.. He's always been
terrific for us. He was brilliant against Holland recently and
he is a very good player with great potential."
On 7th August 2008, Spillane and Chris Martin were loaned to
Luton Town for the entirity of the 2008/9 season, days after they
were omitted from City's first team squad photograph. His agent
Paul Goddard believes his client's best interests are being served
by the move - especially as Spillane is in the final year of his
Norwich contract. He said: Michael's been out of the
picture for a little while now at City and this is a good opportunity
for him to show what he can do. He needs to play and needs to
develop. However it will not be easy at Kennilworth
Road. Luton lost their appeal against a 10-point deduction by
the FA for financial irregularities, involving payments to agents.
The decision means that Luton, who were also docked 20 points
by the Football League for failing to comply with its insolvency
policy, will start the 2008/9 season on minus 30 points.
Spillane was named the Football Association of Ireland's Under-19
Player of the Year in February 2009
Spillane however could not prevent Luton from being relegated
on 13th April 2009 into the Conference following a goalless draw
with Chesterfield. However he did play a key role as Luton won
the Full Members Cup with a 3-2 win over Scunthorpe at Wembley.
Returning to Norwich, Spillane made 16 appearances, scoring once
during 2009/10 as City went on to win the League One title. His
goal against Leyton Orient was voted the goal of the season.
Apparently second-choice to Russell
Martin, Spillane was allowed by Paul
Lambert to sign for Brentford for an undisclosed fee on 1st
July 2010
Out of favour at Brentford, Michael was allowed to train with
Cambridge during November 2011. On 17th November, Spillane and
West Ham striker Christian Montano joined Dagenham on loan until
3rd January 2012. Spillane made his debut, and was booked, in
the 3-2 home defeat to Southend on 19th November 2011.
In early January 2012, Spillane and Brentford ended his contract
by mutual consent and he signed permanently for Dagenham.