Many players who start their PSL careers do so like a house on fire. They move from smaller clubs and make a name for themselves in the top flight of South African soccer almost immediately. Suddenly their careers take a downward spiral and they are heard of less and less in the months following their first arrival on the big stage of PSL soccer.

For other players this is not the case. One such player is Derrick

Spencer who, unlike most other players, was well known before he had

started playing in the PSL.

That was many months ago and since making his debut with Kaizer Chiefs

in February, he has become a regular in the team that won the League and

Coca-Cola Cup. Soccer fans throughout the country have now recognised

Spencer's contribution to Chiefs and have overwhelmingly voted for him as

the June JET CLUB ROOKIE OF THE MONTH.

"This was my second nomination for the JET CLUB ROOKIE OF THE MONTH award

and I feel motivated and encourage with the thought that the fans have put

their faith in my abilities and voted for me. I wish to thank my

brothers, sister and especially my mother who has always encouraged me to

achieve the best in life," said Spencer on hearing he had won the award.

"My team has also played a major role in helping me develop my skills and

I thank them as well."

As the June JET CLUB ROOKIE OF THE MONTH Spencer wins R5 000 from Jet Club

to spend at any Jet Store.

This award honours players who are embarking on their first steps as

professional soccer players in South Africa. Every month a panel of judges

chooses a group of players who are not yet seasoned PSL campaigners. The

five players become the finalists of the JET CLUB ROOKIE OF THE MONTH

competition.

Soccer fans throughout the country are then given an opportunity to vote

for their winner and the player with the most votes become the JET CLUB

ROOKIE OF THE MONTH and automatically qualify for the grand prize of R50

000 as the JET CLUB ROOKIE OF THE YEAR. Five fans that nominate the

correct winner receive a prize from Jet Club in the form of a R500

shopping Voucher.

The Spencer story began in Eshowe, KwaZulu/Natal, where he started

playing soccer at school. Even at that time his talent came through and he

was recruited to play for Stella United, with whom he stayed for two

seasons before joining APN FC, a Portuguese side from the same area.

Again, his talent was soon spotted and he was included in the SA Schools

side that played in a tournament in Swaziland in 2000.

At the end of 2000, the then 18-year old Spencer decided to embark on a

professional career and signed for Santos, who at the time was coached by

Clive Barker. Unluckily for Spencer though, the former Bafana coach left

Santos within a few weeks of him joining the club and when new coach

Gordon Igesund took over, there was no space for Spencer.

"Like most coaches normally do when joining new teams, Igesund brought a

couple of players with him and I was dropped to the reserve side and later

loaned to First Division side, Newtons," said Spencer.

He was later recalled from Newtons, but by then another coaching change

had taken place and Spencer was on the move again, this time back to

KwaZulu/Natal, where he joined Maritzburg City.

As most South African soccer fans know, the trip from City into the PLS is

a very short one - one which numerous other players have already

undertaken. For Spencer too, City was the beginning of bigger things to

come and he soon was called up to the South African under-23 side.

Kaizer Chiefs then approached him, but as they did not follow through,

Spencer signed with Hellenic. A tug-of-war for the player then developed,

with Chiefs claiming that they had signed him and were entitled to his

services. A lengthy layoff period followed, before the PSL ruled that

Spencer was a Hellenic player. He played a handful of games (4) for the

Greek Gods under Neil Tovey before being transferred to Kaizer Chiefs when

Hellenic was sold earlier in the year.

"Joining Amakhosi was the best thing ever for me. I think this symbolizes

the beginning of greater things to come", he said. "My favourite player

and role model is Lucas Radebe and like him I hope to one day play

overseas and also represent Bafana Bafana - even play in the 2010 World

Cup."

Spencer impressed Tovey during his coaching stint at Hellenic. "He is an

excellent player with great potential. He has a good head on his shoulders

and I believe he will very shortly be included in the Bafana Bafana

squad."