THE UNTOLD GAME

Martyn Green

moved back to Ecuador and Barcelona SC. He helped them to the title in his first season, and added the final of his goals in the Copa. He finished his career with more than 500 goals, but only 17 caps because of Ecuador’s poor quality on the international stage. He did play five times for Uruguay, during which time he became the only Ecuadorian to score at Wembley against England, quite a feat consider Ecuador have never played England at Wembley.

His place in history seemingly secure, Alberto Spencer retired to the United States. His shock - and the anger of South American football - was provoked when he was left out of both FIFA and Pelè’s 100 greatest players of the twentieth century. Perhaps if he had been born in a better footballing nation, he would be held in similar regard to the great Brazilian.

Martyn Green edits The Untold Game.

A number of excellent articles telling the untold stories of the beautiful game can be found at www.theuntoldgame.co.uk or on social media @theuntoldgame