FORMER Crystal Palace footballer Oliver Spedding, boyfriend of adult film star Sophie Anderson, has died aged 34.
Team-mates paid tribute to the player who was described as a “warrior on the pitch” and “a madman with a big heart”, as a minute’s silence was held before his old team Croydon FC’s final game.
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Footballer Oliver Spedding met girlfriend Sophie Anderson in the porn industryCredit: Instagram @amianoliverofficial
Spedding has previously spoken of how he regrets dabbling in pornography after starting at Premier League side Palace.
He told how he starred in X-rated films for just £150 a film, as well as a stint in prison after leaving the Eagles.
Croydon FC announced his death in a tribute shared online.
The Welsh club said: “Croydon FC is deeply saddened to learn of the death of our former player, Oliver Spedding.
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“Oliver played for the club for several periods and was a well-loved individual who always gave his all for the team.
“Oliver will be greatly 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 former colleagues also paid tribute to him online.
Club manager Liam Giles called Oliver’s death “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 talked a few weeks ago about his return to football.
“I hope you find your peace my friend – sleep tight.”
Another online tribute read: “RIP Ollie. A madman with a huge heart. Who was always honest.”
And a fan posted: “Croydon FC was always a better place when this guy was around. Great player and a really nice guy.”
A wonderful guy that I can only say good things about
Former teammate Kieran Rufus
Another wrote: “Very sad news indeed.
“Rest Ollie – I always enjoyed his honesty and passion when he played for the club.”
Kieran Rufus, who played alongside Spedding in central defense at Croydon, posted: “I don’t know what to say but I’m really saddened by the news of Ollie’s death.
“He was my CB partner at Croydon FC for a while and a lovely guy who I can only say good things about.
“RIP my brother and my heart goes out to his family.”
Spedding spoke on a podcast last year about his time as a promising young footballer with Palace – before he fell out of the game in prison.
He then took up painting and decorating before moving into pornography, receiving £150 for his first X-rated film job.
He recalled, “It was terrifying, being on my first set.
“People told me ‘You’re doing all that anyway’, because they knew I slept with girls, I was a player – and they said ‘Maybe you’ll get paid for it.’
“But it wasn’t until I got the confidence to actually do it – it was a whole different game.”
He welcomed meeting his girlfriend Sophie, a fellow adult entertainer, after becoming involved in the porn industry.
But he added: “When I was at Crystal Palace, if I had stayed with them, I could have earned a lot more playing football.
“I used to fight too, maybe it could have gone somewhere.
“I was good at both of those things, but being a porn star, I thought it would be just as good – but not as good as people think.”
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The death of Oliver Spedding was announced by former club Croydon FCCredit: Croydon FC
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Tributes have been paid to the former Crystal Palace player Credit: Facebook /@Oliver Spedding
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He spent several spells at Croydon FC after starting at Palace Credits: Twitter /@Croydon_FC
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His death at the age of 34 was described as “heartbreaking news” Credit: Instagram /@oliverspedding
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Former teammates and fans shared his pictures onlineCredit: Twitter /@Croydon_FC
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