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Ex-Crystal Palace footballer Oliver Spedding - boyfriend of adult film star Sophie Anderson - dies a

Former Crystal Palace youth player Oliver Spedding, who left football to go into the porn industry, has died at the age of 34. 

Spedding, who also played for Croydon, was the boyfriend of adult film star Sophie Anderson.

A minute's silence was held before Croydon's latest game, while there manager, Liam Giles, paid tribute to a 'warrior on the pitch'.


The non-league club confirmed his death in a tweet which read: 'Croydon FC are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former player, Oliver Spedding.

'Oliver played for the club over a couple of spells and was a much-loved individual who always gave his utmost for the team.

Former Crystal Palace footballer Oliver Spedding (right - pictured with adult film star girlfriend Sophie Anderson) has died at the age of 34

Former Crystal Palace footballer Oliver Spedding (right - pictured with adult film star girlfriend Sophie Anderson) has died at the age of 34

The news was confirmed by non-league side Croydon where he played during multiple spells

The news was confirmed by non-league side Croydon where he played during multiple spells

'He will be hugely missed by everyone at the club and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. Rest in Peace, Ollie. Once a Tram (the club's nickname), always a Tram.'

The cause of Spedding's death has not yet been confirmed.  

As reported by The Mirror, Spedding fell out of love for the game of football after serving time in prison. 

He continued playing at non-league level though with Croydon, having moved into porn - where he went under the name Damian Oliver. 

In an appearance on the Anything Goes with James English podcast, he revealed his regrets over going into porn, as well of how he starred in X-rated films for just £150 a movie.  

He went on to say: 'When I was at Crystal Palace, if I'd have stayed with them, then I could have been earning a lot more playing football.

'I used to fight as well, maybe that could have gone somewhere. I was good at both of those things, but being a porn star, I thought that would be just as good - but it's not as good as people think.'

However, he met his partner Anderson - who has been working as an adult actress since 2017 - while on set of a film.

Croydon manager Liam Giles described Spedding (pictured) as a 'warrior on the pitch'

Croydon manager Liam Giles described Spedding (pictured) as a 'warrior on the pitch'

Spedding turned to porn from football and met his girlfriend Anderson on the set of an adult film

Spedding turned to porn from football and met his girlfriend Anderson on the set of an adult film

It's hard enough for some of a lot of us. Let alone the brave father of our dear friend Ollie passing away. Mr and Mrs Spedding your son is loved by us all at Croydon. Once a tram always a tram pic.twitter.com/PpBijYeJbP

— Jason Campbell (@Bestkeepercoach) November 19, 2023

Croydon manager Giles revealed in a post on X that they had held talks about him returning to football.

He wrote on Friday: 'Such heartbreaking news, Ollie was a warrior on the pitch and gave 100% every time he represented Croydon

'We spoke a couple of weeks ago about him getting back into football. I hope you find your peace mate. Sleep Tight.'

Tributes have also poured in from former team-mates with his former centre-back partner Kieran Rufus tweeting: 'I don't really know what to say but I'm genuinely so hurt by the news of the passing of Ollie.

Croydon manager Liam Giles and Spedding's former centre-back partner Kieran Rufus both paid tributes in messages on social media

Croydon manager Liam Giles and Spedding's former centre-back partner Kieran Rufus both paid tributes in messages on social media 

'For a time was my CB partner at Croydon FC and a lovely guy who I can only say good things about.

'RIP my bro and my heart goes out to his family.'

Croydon beat Meridan FC in the London Senior Trophy at the weekend, to which Rufus added after the match: 'That win and that clean sheet were for Ollie today.'

IT'S ALL KICKING OFF! 

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Larita Shotwell

Update: 2024-09-02