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David Wotherspoon (footballer, born 1990)

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David Wotherspoon
Personal information
Full name David Wallace Wotherspoon[1]
Date of birth (1990-01-16) 16 January 1990 (age 34)[2]
Place of birth Perth, Scotland
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Midfielder[2]
Team information
Current team
 Dunfermline Athletic
Number 19
Youth career
Abernethy Cubs
Bridge of Earn AFC
St Johnstone
0000–2007 Celtic
2007–2009 Hibernian
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2013 Hibernian 132 (7)
2013–2023 St Johnstone 295 (23)
2023–2024 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 10 (3)
2024 Dundee United 6 (0)
2024– Dunfermline Athletic 2 (0)
International career‡
2007 Scotland U18 3 (0)
2008–2009 Scotland U19 5 (0)
2009–2012 Scotland U21 16 (2)
2018– Canada 13 (1)
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Men's soccer
CONCACAF Nations League
Runner-up 2023
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10 August 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 9 July 2023

David Wallace Wotherspoon (born 16 January 1990) is a professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Scottish Championship club Dunfermline Athletic. Born in Scotland, he represents the Canada national team.

Club career

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Early career

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He played at the youth level with Abernethy Cubs, Bridge of Earn AFC, and the St Johnstone Academy.[3]

Wotherspoon was part of Celtic's youth setup, but moved to Hibernian in the belief that he would have more opportunity to break into senior football.[4][5]

Hibernian

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He was part of the Hibernian youth side that won both the Scottish Youth Cup and the Scottish league in the 2008–09 season, with Wotherspoon contributing eight goals from midfield.[6][7]

Wotherspoon made his senior debut in the 2–1 home win over St Mirren at the start of the 2009–10 season, scoring Hibs' first goal.[8] After establishing himself in the Hibs first team as a right back, Wotherspoon signed a contract with Hibs until 2013.[9]

During the 2010–11 season Wotherspoon was more often used as a right midfielder, and in early 2011 he scored two goals against St Mirren and St Johnstone to help his team go on a six-match unbeaten run. He had previously not scored in 63 matches and said that he wanted to start scoring more goals for Hibs.[10]

Wotherspoon's form improved in the early part of the 2012–13 season. He scored a late winning goal in the Scottish Cup tie against holders and Edinburgh derby rivals Hearts.[11] A decline in Hibs' fortunes during the season was mirrored by Wotherspoon personally, who lost his place in the side.[12] He left Hibs at the end of his contract in the 2013 close season.

St Johnstone

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Wotherspoon signed a two-year contract with his hometown club St Johnstone on 2 July 2013.[12] On 10 July 2013, Wotherspoon scored a goal from a free-kick from 21 yards in a pre-season friendly against Cowdenbeath. This was his first appearance and his first goal for St Johnstone.[13] He scored his first league goal for the club with a free kick in a 4–0 win against Ross County on 17 August, and had a penalty kick saved in the same game.[14] Wotherspoon helped the club win the 2013–14 Scottish Cup.[15] He signed a new two-year contract with St Johnstone in January 2015.[15]

In February 2019, Wotherspoon extended his contract with St Johnstone for another two years.[16] On 26 October 2019, he made his 250th appearance for the club, and marked the occasion by scoring twice as St Johnstone won 3–2 against Hamilton Academical.[17] In 2021 Wotherspoon played a critical role in helping St Johnstone achieve the cup double, winning both the Scottish Cup and the Scottish League Cup. In the Scottish Cup Final, Wotherspoon had an assist on Shaun Rooney's goal and was named Man of the Match for his efforts.[18]

In November 2021 Wotherspoon suffered an ACL injury during St Johnstone's Scottish League Cup semi-final against Celtic, ruling him out for eight months.[19] He returned to training in August 2022.[20] Two months later Wotherspoon made his first appearance for St Johnstone since his injury on 15 October, subbing into their league match against Livingston which ended in a 1-0 defeat.[21] At the end of the season, St Johnstone announced Wotherspoon would not be offered a new contract, ending his time with his hometown club after a decade.[22]

Inverness Caledonian Thistle

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In October 2023, Wotherspoon joined Scottish Championship side Inverness Caledonian Thistle on a deal until January 2024.[23] He made his debut for his new club on October 28 against Airdrieonians, and scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory.[24]

Dundee United

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After leaving Inverness at the end of a short-term contract, Wotherspoon signed with Dundee United for the rest of the 2023–24 season.[25]

Dunfermline Athletic

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Wotherspoon was signed by Dunfermline Athletic F.C. in July 2024, after his six-month contract with Dundee expired.[26]

International career

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Youth

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Wotherspoon represented Scotland at under-18[27] and under-19[28][29] levels before he made his first team debut for Hibs. He was called into the under-21 squad soon after he made his senior club debut,[29][30] and he made his first appearance at that level in a 4–0 win against Azerbaijan in November 2009.[31] He scored his first goal for the team, a late equaliser in a 1–1 draw against Sweden, in August 2010.[32] His second goal was the match-winner in a 2–1 victory against the Netherlands in November 2011.[33]

Senior

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Wotherspoon was eligible to play for Canada as his mother was born there.[34] He was selected for the Canada squad in March 2018 for a friendly against New Zealand without ever having been to Canada.[35] He was again called up for a pair of CONCACAF Nations League A matches against Cuba in September 2019.[36] In May 2019 Wotherspoon was named to the provisional squad for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup,[37] but was excluded from the final squad. Wotherspoon scored his first goal for Canada against the Cayman Islands in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying match on 29 March 2021.[38] On 18 June he was named to the 60-man provisional squad for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup,[39] but it was decided due to his heavy club schedule, he would not be a part of the final 23-man team.[40][41]

In November 2022, Wotherspoon was named to Canada's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[42] He made his only appearance at the World Cup in Canada's third match against Morocco on December 1, as a substitute for Junior Hoilett.[43] This marked the first time a St Johnstone player took the field in a World Cup match.[44]

In June 2023, Wotherspoon was named to the 23-man Canadian squad contesting the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals.[45] On June 19 he was named to the squad for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, his first participation at the tournament.[46]

Style of play

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Although he started out as a right back for Hibs, Wotherspoon has also played as a right-sided or attacking midfielder. His primary position is as a central midfielder and at the start of the 2011–12 season he expressed his desire to play there more often.[47] Although he also said that he was willing to play anywhere to be in the first team.[47] Manager Pat Fenlon experimented with a 4–2–3–1 formation, using Wotherspoon as a central creative player, during the 2012–13 pre-season.[48] These tactics were abandoned after a 3–0 defeat against Dundee United, with Wotherspoon then being used as a right midfielder in a more orthodox 4–4–2 shape.[48]

In recent years, Wotherspoon has become known for his regular use of the "Spoony chop".[49]

Personal life

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Wotherspoon, who is from Bridge of Earn, was a St Johnstone supporter in his childhood.[50] His mother was born in Canada.[51]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 10 August 2024[52]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Scottish Cup League Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Hibernian 2009–10[53] Scottish Premier League 33 1 4[i] 0 2 0 — 39 1
2010–11[54] 35 2 2 0 1 0 2[a] 0 40 2
2011–12[55] 30 0 4 1 3 0 — 37 1
2012–13[56] 34 4 3 0 1 0 — 38 4
Total 132 7 13 1 7 0 2 0 154 8
St Johnstone 2013–14[57] Scottish Premiership 38 1 5 0 3 0 4[a] 0 50 1
2014–15[58] 35 1 2 0 1 0 4[a] 0 42 1
2015–16[59] 35 9 1 0 3 0 1[a] 0 40 9
2016–17[60] 33 1 2 0 3 1 — 38 2
2017–18[61] 35 3 2 0 1 0 2[a] 0 40 3
2018–19[62] 29 2 2 0 4 0 — 35 2
2019–20[63] 21 3 3 0 1 0 — 25 3
2020–21[64] 37 3 5 0 7 3 — 49 6
2021–22[65] 10 0 0 0 2 0 2[b] 0 14 0
2022–23[66] 22 0 1 0 0 0 — 23 0
Total 295 23 23 0 25 4 13 0 356 27
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2023–24 Scottish Championship 10 3 1 0 0 0 — 11 3
Dundee United 2023–24 Scottish Championship 6 0 0 0 0 0 — 6 0
Dunfermline Athletic 2024–25 Scottish Championship 2 0 0 0 4 0 — 6 0
Career total 445 33 37 1 36 4 15 0 533 38
  1. ^ a b c d e Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  2. ^ One appearance in UEFA Europa League, one appearance in UEFA Europa Conference League
  1. ^ Soccerbase did not record an appearance made by Wotherspoon against Brechin City on 26 August 2009.

International

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As of match played 9 July 2023[67]
Canada
Year Apps Goals
2018 1 0
2019 1 0
2020 0 0
2021 8 1
2022 1 0
2023 2 0
Total 13 1

International goals

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As of 29 March 2021
Scores and results list Canada's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Wotherspoon goal.
List of international goals scored by David Wotherspoon
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 29 March 2021 IMG Academy, Bradenton, United States  Cayman Islands 3–0 11–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

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St Johnstone

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Squad list: Canada (CAN)" (PDF). FIFA. 15 November 2022. p. 6. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b "David Wotherspoon". Hibernian F.C. official we6site. Archived from the original on 4 November 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  3. ^ "Canada Soccer announces squad for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022". Canadian Soccer Association. 12 November 2022.
  4. ^ "Hibs hand first team chance to seven starlets". Daily Record. Glasgow. 18 March 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  5. ^ Cameron, Neil (8 October 2009). "I had to quit Celtic to live my football dream, admits Hibs star David Wotherspoon". Daily Record. Glasgow. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  6. ^ Hardie, David (29 April 2009). "Wotherspoon has a Hibs double on his mind". Edinburgh Evening News. Johnston Press. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  7. ^ "Hibs Lift Scottish FA Youth Cup". scottishfa.co.uk. Scottish Football Association. 29 April 2009. Archived from the original on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  8. ^ Hardie, David (15 August 2009). "Hibernian 2 – 1 St Mirren: Late Benjelloun strike gets Hibs off to winning SPL start". Edinburgh Evening News. Johnston Press. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  9. ^ "Wotherspoon extends stay at Hibs". BBC Sport. 18 December 2009.
  10. ^ "Hibs: David Wotherspoon hopeful two goals in six matches will lead to further net gains". Edinburgh Evening News. Johnston Press. 7 March 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  11. ^ Moffat, Colin (2 December 2012). "Hibernian 1–0 Hearts". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  12. ^ a b "St Johnstone sign David Wotherspoon from Hibernian". BBC Sport. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  13. ^ "Wotherspoon goal enough to secure win at Cowdenbeath". St Johnstone FC. 11 July 2013. Archived from the original on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  14. ^ Crawford, Kenny (17 August 2013). "Tommy Wright wants clarity over Stevie May's future". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  15. ^ a b "St Johnstone: David Wotherspoon commits to club until 2017". BBC Sport. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  16. ^ "St Johnstone: David Wotherspoon signs contract extension". BBC Sport. 18 February 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  17. ^ "St Johnstone 3 Hamilton 2 as Callum Hendry hits late winner to break Saints' Premiership duck". Daily Record. Glasgow. 26 October 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  18. ^ "Canada's David Wotherspoon helps St. Johnstone capture Scottish Cup". CBC. 22 May 2021.
  19. ^ Gallagher, Matthew (13 December 2021). "St Johnstone midfielder David Wotherspoon out for eight months with ACL injury". Daily Record. Glasgow.
  20. ^ Nicolson, Eric (22 August 2022). "St Johnstone duo David Wotherspoon and Tony Gallacher just two weeks away from comeback".
  21. ^ "Livingston 1-0 Saints". 15 October 2022.
  22. ^ "Squad Update". 30 May 2023.
  23. ^ "David Wotherspoon Signs For ICTFC". Inverness Caledonian Thistle. 17 October 2023.
  24. ^ "David Wotherspoon's debut goal seals Caley win against Airdrieonians". Keep Up. 28 October 2023.
  25. ^ Cassidy, Peter (15 January 2024). "Dundee United sign former Hibs and St Johnstone player David Wotherspoon". STV News. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  26. ^ Hart, Ross (1 July 2024). "Dunfermline: Ex St Johnstone star David Wotherspoon signs". Dunfermline Press. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  27. ^ "David Wotherspoon – U18 Squad". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  28. ^ "David Wotherspoon – U19 Squad". scottishfa.co.uk. Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  29. ^ a b Dempster, Martin (7 October 2009). "Young gun David is in with more than a shout". Edinburgh Evening News. Johnston Press. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  30. ^ "Scots call Forbes and Wotherspoon". BBC Sport. 29 September 2009.
  31. ^ "David Wotherspoon – U21 Squad". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  32. ^ Wright, Angus (12 August 2010). "Late strike draws better picture for Scotland Under-21s". The Scotsman. Johnston Press. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  33. ^ Lindsay, Clive (14 November 2011). "Netherlands U21 1–2 Scotland U21". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
  34. ^ Nicolson, Eric (22 September 2018). "David Wotherspoon fighting to get back into the St Johnstone first team". The Courier.
  35. ^ "St Johnstone's David Wotherspoon is called up by Canada after switch from Scotland". BBC Sport. 17 March 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  36. ^ Davidson, Neal (28 August 2019). "TFC's Richie Laryea, Cavalry FC's Marco Carducci called up for Canada games against Cuba". Hamilton Spectator.
  37. ^ "CANADA SOCCER ANNOUNCES PROVISIONAL ROSTER FOR THE 2019 CONCACAF GOLD CUP". Canada Soccer. 20 May 2021.
  38. ^ Jacques, John (29 March 2021). "Canada Coasts Past Cayman Islands in Historic Eleven-Goal Win".
  39. ^ "CONCACAF GOLD CUP PROVISIONAL ROSTERS CONFIRMED". Canada Soccer. 18 June 2021.
  40. ^ Lindsay, Ryan (1 July 2021). "Canada announces strong roster ahead of 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup". Waking the Red.
  41. ^ "Episode 18 – David Wotherspoon on making history (twice!), the Gold Cup and more!". Northern Fútbol Podcast. 29 June 2021.
  42. ^ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (13 November 2022). "Canada announces 26-man squad for 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar". Canadian Premier League.
  43. ^ "Proud moment as Wotherspoon makes World Cup debut". 1 December 2022.
  44. ^ Nicolson, Eric (1 December 2022). "David Wotherspoon makes St Johnstone history with World Cup appearance – and there was cameo for 'Spoony Chop'".
  45. ^ Tierney, Mitchell (7 June 2023). "Former CPLers Loturi, Zator called up by Canada for 2023 Concacaf Nations League Finals". Canadian Premier League.
  46. ^ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (19 June 2023). "CanMNT announces final 23-man squad for Concacaf Gold Cup". Canadian Premier League.
  47. ^ a b "David Wotherspoon wants central Hibs role". BBC Sport. 10 June 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  48. ^ a b McLauchlin, Brian (27 August 2012). "David Wotherspoon eyes regular run for Hibs". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  49. ^ Nicolson, Eric (11 June 2021). "The 'Spoony Chop' could be seen at the World Cup as St Johnstone cup hero continues on road to Qatar with Canada". The Courier.
  50. ^ Hardie, David (18 September 2009). "Hibs' Wotherspoon aims to beat boyhood heroes Saints". Edinburgh Evening News. Johnston Press. Archived from the original on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  51. ^ Nicolson, Eric. "David Wotherspoon fighting to get back into the St Johnstone first team". The Courier. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  52. ^ "David Wotherspoon". fitbastats.com. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  53. ^ "Games played by David Wotherspoon in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  54. ^ "Games played by David Wotherspoon in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  55. ^ "Games played by David Wotherspoon in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  56. ^ "Games played by David Wotherspoon in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  57. ^ "Games played by David Wotherspoon in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  58. ^ "Games played by David Wotherspoon in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  59. ^ "Games played by David Wotherspoon in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  60. ^ "Games played by David Wotherspoon in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  61. ^ "Games played by David Wotherspoon in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  62. ^ "Games played by David Wotherspoon in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  63. ^ "Games played by David Wotherspoon in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  64. ^ "Games played by David Wotherspoon in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  65. ^ "Games played by David Wotherspoon in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  66. ^ "Games played by David Wotherspoon in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  67. ^ David Wotherspoon at the Canadian Soccer Association
  68. ^ Lindsay, Clive (22 May 2021). "Perth side complete domestic cup double". BBC. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
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