Spencer’s first book, ‘The Server’ (Pitch Publishing), was listed for the William Hill Sports Book Of The Year Award 2003. It’s the story of his 365-mile journey through England in a 1969 Morris Minor, challenging people as he goes to play him at tennis (including a drug addict, a man in a wheelchair, an 81-year old grandmother and a pregnant woman). 
 

Along the way he was assaulted by a Black Country drunk who took offence to his tennis clothes, had a falling out with the All England Club over his attempts to play at Wimbledon, gate-crashed Tony and Jane Henman’s back garden (and hit a serve on the court where their son Tim learned to play) and discovered Goran Ivanisevic could have Chris de Burgh in a bar-brawl.

‘The Server’ was inspired by the 1971 film ‘The Swimmer’ in which Burt Lancaster embarks on a crazy scheme to swim home via a ‘river of pools’ through the back gardens of suburban Connecticut.

“A sideways, exuberant and perceptive journey through the underachieving world that is English tennis.” – John Inverdale, BBC Sport

“Vignes plays everywhere from derelict inner-city courts to the upmarket surroundings of Queens Club, and amid the anecdotes makes points that British tennis needs to think hard about.” – Nick Szczepanik, The Times 

“Very funny, very English…a real road movie of a book.” – Ace magazine

Spencer’s second book, published by Stadia (an imprint of Tempus Publishing) in 2007, was ‘Lost In France – The Remarkable Life And Death Of Leigh Richmond Roose, Football’s First Playboy’. What’s it all about? Below is the blurb that appeared on the rear side of the cover, just to give you a taste.
 

‘In 1914 one of Britain’s most famous sportsmen went off to play his part in World War One. Like millions of others, he would die. Unlike millions of others, nobody knew how or where. Until now. ‘Lost In France is the true story of Leigh Richmond Roose. Playboy, soldier and the finest goalkeeper of his generation.

A man so good at his position on the field of play that the Football Association made one of the most significant rule changes in the game’s history just to keep him in check. Small wonder that when the Daily Mail put together a World XI fit to take on another planet, Leigh was the first name on its team sheet.'

‘The result of six years painstaking research, this new biography lifts the lid on Leigh’s remarkable life for the first time, documenting his colourful and frequently controversial career with a string of top clubs including Everton, Stoke City and Sunderland not to mention at international level with Wales. It highlights his superstar status among supporters, teammates, the opposite sex and the media plus his pivotal role in the game’s evolution. It also pieces together the events surrounding his tragic death and reveals how a simple administrative mistake prevented Leigh’s family from discovering his exact fate for 87 years.

 ‘Lost In France is the tale of an exceptional sportsman who became caught up in a global catastrophe – one that would cost him his life, his identity and his rightful place as one of football’s all-time legends.’

Sounds good, eh? By the way, the film rights are still available, should you be reading this in Los Angeles.

“This is a terrific biography that rescues a charismatic figure from undeserved obscurity.” – Andrew Baker, The Daily Telegraph

“A remarkable tale.” – Jonathan Wilson, Financial Times

Last but not least, is ‘A Few Good Men – The Brighton & Hove Albion Dream Team’, also published in 2007 (Breedon Books).
 

This book will probably only appeal should you be a fan of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club. It sees Spencer select his all-time Albion XI, with a chapter devoted to each player who made the team (all of whom willingly gave up their time to be interviewed by Spencer). Peter Ward, Steve Foster, Mark Lawrenson, Brian Horton, Bobby Zamora....if these names mean anything to you, then you’ll enjoy reading this.

“This book is truly brilliant. I have laughed and cried while reading it, plus read things I knew nothing about....and I was there at the time!” – Talk Sport pundit and former Albion player Gary Stevens

“Delightful. I can’t think of anyone better to put together a book like this.” – Roy Chuter writing in Seagull, Albion’s match day magazine

To order any of these books  go to the ‘Contact me’ section of this website and send Spencer a message.