Walter Speggiorin was born in Camisano Vicentino (Vicenza), on December 16, 1952.
His early football was played with the Vicenza youth setup and in 1968-69 he joined the first team squad but did not make his league debut.
In 1969 he joined Genoa where he stayed three seasons. The Rossoblu were in Serie B but got relegated. They came straight back up again and then finished 8th. Speggiorin played 52 league games with 14 goals. His promotion manager was Arturo Silvestri who also stayed the following year. In his third year his teammates included future Lazio manager, Gigi Simoni (1985-86).
In 1972-73 he returned to Vicenza for a season. The "Lane" were in Serie A and finished 13th under, first former Lazio player Gianni Seghedoni (1-8) and then Héctor Puricelli (9-30). Speggiorin played 14 league games with 1 goal (Lazio).
In 1973 he joined Fiorntina where he stayed three seasons. The Viola finished 6th, 8th and 9th and won the Coppa Italia in 1975. Speggiorin played 52 league games with 8 goals, 19 games in Coppa Italia with 2 goals, 2 in the UEFA Cup, 3 in the Cup Winners Cup with 1 goal and 4 in the Mitropa Cup. He also scored the winner in the Italo-English league final against West Ham United. His managers were Gigi Radice, Nereo Rocco and Carlo Mazzone. His teammates included Lazio connections Mauro Della Martira (1983-84), Domenico Caso (1985-88), Pietro Ghedin briefly (1974-79, 1980-81).
In 1976 he joined Napoli for a season. The Partenopei finished 7th in Serie A and reached the semi-finals of the Cup Winners Cup. Speggiorin played 19 league games with 4 goals (Lazio, Milan, Cesena and Bologna), 5 games in Coppa Italia and 3 in Europe. He again scored in the Italo-English league cup final getting a brace against Southampton. The manager was Bruno Pesaola while one of his teammates was future Lazio Claudio Vinazzani.
In 1977 he joined Perugia where he had his best years. He stayed two seasons and the Biancorossi finished 7th and 2nd, under Ilario Castagner. It was the "Perugia dei Miracoli" that finished unbeaten in 1978-79. Speggiorin played 44 league games and was top scorer both seasons with 8 and 9 goals.
In 1979 he returned to Napoli but was not as successful. The Azzurri finished 10th and 3rd in the two seasons he was there but Speggiorin only scored 3 league goals (Udinese, Roma, Bologna) in 38 appearances plus 1 goal in Coppa Italia. His managers were Luis Vinicio and Angelo Sormani the first year and Rino Marchesi in the second. His teammates included Lazio connections; Raimondo Marino (1986-89), Andrea Agostinelli (1975-79), Roberto Badiani (1974-79, 1981-83) and Oscar Damiani (1985-86).
In 1981 Speggiorin joined Lazio in Serie B where he was reunited with manager Ilario Castagner. It was a disappointing season. Castagner was sacked in February and Lazio finished 11th. Speggiorin played 21 league games with 2 goals (Pescara and spectacular bicycle kick against Pisa) and 3 games in Coppa Italia. He was not a success and the following year with the return of Bruno Giordano he moved on.
His last club was Massese where he spent his last two years of career. The zebras were in the 5th tier and won promotion. The Apuani then finished 12th in C2. Speggiorin played 20 league games with 1 goal.
He then retired at 31.
Speggiorin was a forward. He was a physical player at 1.82 and 76 kilos but well known for his acrobatic skills. He played 167 games in Serie A with 33 goals and 49 in B with 7 goals. He also played 1 game for Italy U21's, scoring in a game against France
In the late 1970's he was a respected striker, especially after his Perugia days and there was a certain excitement when he arrived at Lazio. It was thought that in Serie B and with Castagner he could make a positive impact. He did not and, apart from an incredible bicycle kick goal against Pisa, he was a failure in Rome. In his defence the whole team had a poor year.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie B | Coppa Italia |
1981-82 | 24 (2) | 21 (2) | 3 |
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