Chris Spears
From Tekken City
| Chris Spears | |
|---|---|
| |
| Birthplace | Amstelveen, Netherlands 
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| Squad Number | 9 |
| Birth Date | April 9, 1980 (31) |
| Position | Striker |
| Previous Clubs | FC Utrecht (NED) Ajax Amsterdam (NED) FC Barcelona (ESP) S.S. Lazio (ITA) |
| W.A.G | N/A |
Christijan Mikael Glieuwen Bauer (Spears) (born April 9, 1980 in Amstelveen, Netherlands) is a Dutch football player who plays as a striker. He is currently the captain for both Tekken City in the FA Barclays Premiership and also the for the Holland National Football Team. He is regarded by many football journalists as one of the greatest forwards in the game, and also the best Dutch footballer since Marco van Basten and Johan Cruijff. He was the first player in world football to be given the FIFA World Player of the Year award for three years running, between 2005 and 2008.
Spears is also the longest serving player of Tekken City's history, completing 14 whole years with the club. He has been at Tekken City since July 1997.
Biography
Spears was born and raised with his grandparents who both originated from Germany, Frederich Albert Glieuwen, who worked as a farmer and part-time windmill worker, and Beatrix Ingrid Bauer (grandmother), and and his mother, Martha in Amstelveen, located in Northen Holland. However, his family moved out of the area because their area was constantly threatened by bomb scares. Spears and his family then moved to a small town in Utrecht known as "Driebergen-Rijsenberg". The house was situated in the rural-heritage areas of Driebergen, a typical countryside cottage. Before Spears was born, his Grandparents lived in Leipzig for 24 years before they decided to move across to the Netherlands. Martha was born and raised in the town. Spears because of this is a third of German descent, but has full Dutch citizenship.
Spears is hugely multi-lingual, meaning he is able to speak Dutch, German, English, Spanish and Italian all fluently.
Spears has a younger brother Sébastian, who plays in the Dutch Eredivisie, currently for AZ Alkmaar.
Early Career in The Netherlands
Spears has become one of the most famous players to date that has come through the ranks at professional level under the age of 11. Football scout, Erijn Paeters, who was currently working as one of the main scout workers at Spears' local team FC Utrecht watched Spears play a number of matches for his school team. After these series of matches, and even a number of seasons passing, Paeters found talent straight away from the youngster, and opted him for a series of trials at FC Utrecht...at just 8 years of age.
He did not dissappoint during his trials at Utrecht and so the club agreed to offer him a professional contract with the club. Spears from here on got better as a player every game for his new team. He hit the net 18 times, playing 32 games.
After two successful years with Utrecht, he had a bigger task. In 1988 Spears signed for Ajax Amsterdam for £4 million. Over a pan of three seasons with the Dutch giants he scored 38 times in over 74 appearances. He was only just 11, and the Ajax Current manager at the time, Leo Beenhakker was bewildered that this footballing kid at such a low age would be scoring for fun professionally in the game.
Career in Spain and Italy
Chris Spears then moved on from his native Holland and joined FC Barcelona at the age of 13 in 1992. Many reckoned however that because he was at such a young age, It would be difficult for him to settle to both the style of play, and more importantly, the language. Barcelona however had one player in their squad, Portuguese frontman Eusebio, who was to change Spears' football career completely. He was to form a deady strike duo between the two, and during that season, he won his first official league title during the 1992-1993 season in La Liga.
Three years in Spain would then see him move on again. This time for Italian side, S.S. Lazio in the summer of 1996. At 17, he was to once again conjure a show of great goalscoring ability, and shoot the team up to better league status. Last season in Serie Lazio had finished 12th, and wanted a decent striker badly. Once Spears had signed, their wait was over, and managed to embark a top-5 finish. The Dutch wonderkid scored a total of 23 goals both domestically and in the league.
Tekken City
Then Tekken City manager Roy Rook, (1998-2000) signed Spears from S.S. Lazio for a fee of £10.5 million in the summer of 1997, which got recorded as Spears' highest ever paid move to a club. Spears in an official press conference told the club about the ongoing Rashidi Yekini that he would be good enough to replace the Nigerian legend.
1998 and beyond
Because of the switching of Allegiance away from the Premiership, the Kins Cup and the European Cup Leagues were both introduced, and Tekken City entered in both of them. Chris Spears' debut for Tekken City during the tournament came in a match against Derby County when he was brought on by Roy Rook to replace Marshall Law. He then played a whole 90 minutes the following week against Manchester United, where he would score his first ever Tekken City goal in a 2-0 win. Both he and the club's other signing, Jun Kazama, would begin a deadly strike partnership for two years until she later claimed she would become a central midfielder.
During the second Kins Cup season, Spears suffered a horrific injury to the hamstring that also involved opposing striker Chris Sutton, who, at the time, played for Blackburn Rovers. Sutton appeared to have kicked Spears in the hamstring area, causing the muscles to react vigorously on contact. The muscles in the hamstring began to epilept, and Tekken City physios immediately removed him from the pitch. He was out for 2 months with the injury.
During the Cup Leagues, it was this that really sparked off the Dutchman's career as a professional footballer with Tekken City. He would obliterate any defence that stood in his way, with of course Jun Kazama up front alongside him. He would send the club to 5 consecutive victories in the competition until it was officially cancelled, at which point the club were automatically entered into the Champions League despite the club finishing 7th in the Premier League during the 2001-2002 season.
Spears has also been famous for his Champions League goals, particularly in a final. His most famous goal was against his former club Lazio in a 1-0 victory on the 10th July 2002 when Swedish midfielder Kasumi Gudjohansson (now of Ajax) drove a hard and low free kick into the penalty area, the shot was blocked by the foot of defender Paolo Negro before Spears lashed onto the ball and followed it into the net. It was virtually the last kick of the game, and hence, it being one of Chris Spears' most famous goals.
2004-2005
In the 2004-2005 season, whilst Tekken City fan and then-girlfriend (now wife) JoJo was present for a majority of games having ordered herself a season ticket, Spears notched a perfect 50 goals in the Premiership alone, which was his highest total in a season with Tekken City at that time. In 2005-2006 season though, he was ever present, whilst scoring another 50 in a season.
2007-2008
At the beginning of the 2007-08 Premiership season, Spears was awarded the captain armband following the departure of James True to Bayern Munich. Tekken's first game under Spears as captain was a 3-1 victory over Sunderland. Spears scored two goals in the game. A few pundits however had criticised the club's decision to make Spears captain, as they believed that he wasn't the right outfit to lead the club throughout a whole campaign. Chairman, Christopher Lacey then released a statement before the next Premership game against Everton, that they had made the right decision, and that Spears had been at the club long enough to realise the understanding of the team's strengths and weaknesses. He then went on to say that the board and manager had every faith in Spears to lead Tekken for the next couple of years wearing the armband. Numerous fans on forums and fanclubs had also endured the same arguement.
International Career
For the Netherlands national team, he has won 91 caps, scoring over 30 goals, meaning has scored a goal every other game. he scored two goals during the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. His first came against Serbia and Montenegro turning out to be the only goal in a 1-0 win, and then he scored a free kick against the Ivory Coast the following game, to which the Netherlands won 2-1.
On September 2, 2006, Spears was given the biggest opportunity to captain the Netherlands during both the Euro 2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He was given the captain armband by his coach, Marco van Basten after leading the team superbly in a 1-0 win over Luxembourg in a qualifier. Spears then captained his country for the first time on Dutch home soil against Belarus. Netherlands won 3-0. Manchester United keeper, Edwin Van der Sar stepped down as captain before the Luxembourg match. A majority of Dutch supporters have labelled Spears as "Der Kaptein" (The Captain) or "De Konig" (The King).
Euro 2008 Finals Story
Spears captained Van Basten's Netherlands side through the Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland. He scored 4 goals during the tournament. Two against Italy in a 3-0 victory in their opening group game on June 9, and two against France in a 4-1 victory on June 13, winning his 100th cap at the same time. However, he did not play in the match against Romania, as many of the Netherlands' players were rested following their assured 1st place finish in their group. However, on June 22, the Netherlands were beaten 3-1 in the Quarter Finals by Russia, but it was Spears who provided a vital free kick for Ruud van Nistelrooy to score an equalising goal just before the final whistle while it was currently 1-0 to Russia. Spears had stated after the game that the Netherlands were outclassed by the better side and that he was disapponted at how his team mates failed to capitalise after going down 1-0 during the second half.
2010 FIFA World Cup
Spears helped The Netherlands get to the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final in South Africa, where they faced Spain in Soccer City, Johannesburg. Spain won the match 1-0. He was also the top scorer of the tournament with 6 goals. His first goal came against Denmark where he tapped in the rebound after Dirk Kuyt had hit the post with an effort. The second goal came against Japan where he rifled in an effort into the top corner of the net. Probably the next two goals were more memorable, both goals came against Brazil where he scored his first ever two headed for Holland. In that particular game, he was awarded man of the match for his "forward general" approach to the game, spurring on the other players to perform, and not let Holland's precious lead slip. Holland beat Brazil 2-1, and progressed to the semi-finals.
His two other goals in the tournament game in a 3-2 win over Uruguay in the Semi-Finals. Former Tekken City midfielder and Holland's vice-captain, Giovanni van Bronckhorst scored a screamer in the game, which was followed by backward flick, and yet another header for Spears' two goals in the game.
Advertising Career
Spears currently sponsors the the famous sunglasses brands, Oakley and Police. He is also a famous underwear model for Calvin Klein alongside Swedish football players, Frederik Ljungberg and Olof Mellberg. He is also a common freestyle footballer, and has featured in a host of nike commercials, most adverts currently involve Eric Cantona's commercials, Joga Bonito. His most recent, which aired on British TV in mid-August, was of a freestyle stunt which also starrs RnB singer, Rihanna. Spears is also a fashion icon for a number of fragrances and designer clothes manufactured by the famous brand, Georgio Armani.
Personal Life
Chris Spears now lives in a huge country house in Stannington, on the outskirts of Newcastle-upon-tyne, England. About 15 minutes away from Tekken City's training ground in Meldon. he has lived there since he joined the English club in 1997. Spears is also a social golf player and has also grown fond of Tennis.
On March 31, 2011, The Daily Star mentioned that Spears had started dating actress Vanessa Hudgens. It wrote that they had been seen together in an Italian restaurant in London. Hudgens had told the media previously that she was planning a dinner date with an anonymous football player. Chris Spears had planned a press conference the following Friday to confirm if himself and Hudgens really were dating. About a fortnight later however, Hudgens called off the relationship with Spears because she felt she wasn't ready for an immediate relationship, "and a long-term one at that", she said in her own words.
Relationship with JoJo
Spears dated young American singer, Joanna Levesque (JoJo) and had done so for a good 5 years. The two met at the Riverside Stadium when JoJo went to see her first game as a celebrity season ticket holder as a Tekken City fan. Spears played as Tekken City drew 0-0 with Middlesbrough in a Premiership game in October 2004.
On September 8, 2005, Chris Spears split up with JoJo because of huge Paparazzi death threats, accusing Spears of Pedophilia. It however, prevented Spears from losing any kind of form he had been building with Tekken City. December 2, 2006 however, saw the two revive their relationship.
On February 6, 2009, Spears called a press conference at Tekken City headquarters to confirm that he had split up with JoJo for a second and final time, after the two had severe relationship issues that was affecting Spears' recent performances, particularly during a sending off during a heavy 3-0 defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. The two have vowed never to date again, but to remain close friends.
Spears since 2005, is particularly close friends with fellow Tekken City and Holland team-mate Wesley Sneijder. He also bonds well, with Holland legends Clarence Seedorf, Jaap Stam and second cousin, Andre Ooijer. Spears' friendship with Sneijder has shown a resemblence when the two are performing during League and Cup games, and has even caused confusion to players, particularly during training sessions as they are baffled who is who due to their almost identical appearance.
Spears is blood-related to Hollywood actress and singer, Minnie Driver.
