FORMER Premier League footballer Oliver Spedding has died at the age of 34.
His former club announced the heartbreaking news on November 17, 2023.
After giving a career as a footballer a try and a stint in jail, Oliver became a painter and decorator before going into adult entertainment.
He was known in the adult industry as Damian Oliver.
In July 2022, he opened up on his experiences on the Anything Goes with James English podcast – expressing some regret about his career choice.
He revealed he was paid just £150 per movie and often regretted turning his back on a potential career at Selhurst Park.
He recalled: “That was terrifying, being on my first set.
“People used to say to me, ‘You’re doing it all anyway’, because they knew I used to sleep with girls, I was a player – and they said, ‘You might as well get paid for it’.
“But it wasn’t until I had the confidence to actually do it – it was a whole different ball game.”
He added: “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.”
Oliver was a prospect in Crystal Palace’s academy as a teenager.
However, he didn’t make it into the professional game before his time behind bars.
After his release, he continued to play non-league football with Croydon FC.
Oliver met partner Sophie while on set of an adult film, striking up a romance with her.
Sophie has been working as an adult actress since 2017 and became a big name in the industry after a video with fellow actress Rebecca More went viral the following year.
Since 2022, Sophie has appeared on various podcasts discussing her life and has been a team captain on the Canadian OutTV sex education quiz show F**king Smart.
Oliver’s former club Croydon FC announced his passing and held a minute’s silence before their match on Saturday, November 18, 2023.
A statement read: “Oliver played for the club over a couple of spells and was a much loved individual who always gave his utmost effort for the team.
“Oliver will be hugely 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, the club added: “Rest in Peace, Ollie. Once a Tram, always a Tram.”
As of November 21, 2023, his cause of death has not been confirmed.
