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Aston Villa legend Nigel Spink swapped football for a career working as a courier. The goalkeeping hero represented the Villans between 1977 and 1996. Spink, now 67, is permanently enshrined in the club's folklore for his heroics in the 1982 European Cup final against Bayern Munich in Rotterdam - something the present squad will be hoping to replicate in the Europa League final on Wednesday evening.

The goalkeeper had just one senior appearance to his name when first-choice Jimmy Rimmer was compelled to withdraw with an injury 10 minutes into the encounter. The replacement produced an unforgettable performance for the ages as Villa triumphed 1-0 on a momentous night. Following 460 appearances for the club, Spink concluded his playing days with Forest Green Rovers in 2001. He subsequently managed the outfit for two years, guiding them to the FA Trophy Final.

He later worked as a goalkeeping coach under Steve Bruce at Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic, Sunderland and Bristol City, until his spell in football concluded in the summer of 2013. His period in the North East laid the groundwork for his subsequent career as a courier.

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Spink established his own enterprise, S&M Couriers, with a friend. The Sutton Coalfield firm provides deliveries nationwide, house and office removals and the transportation of parts for the motor industry.

Spink told Birmingham Live: "I had a rented apartment up at Sunderland which belonged to Mick McCarthy when he was manager there. One of my best friends from my Villa days, Paul Munro, came up and helped me and we had a load of fun loading up the van and bringing it all back.

"It was then that we talked and came up with the idea of running our own business and so SandM Courier launched after a lot of research and planning in 2012. When Steve lost his job at the Stadium of Light, I had to get all my stuff and move back to the Midlands.

"That November, we were actually driving back with the van loaded up, and we thought, what a great job this has been. We spent the best part of 18 months researching it. We've done a lot of homework and preparation.

"I enjoy every minute of it. We have some wonderful clients we work with all the time, and we're open to anything. Both of us have had our vans in Villa colours - the club is still a big favourite for both of us.

"We work Monday to Friday, which is perfect because after years working every weekend and Bank Holiday as a footballer, I now get to have quality time with my family at the weekends."

Villa now have the opportunity to secure their first European honour since that memorable evening when Spink helped the Villans lift the European Cup.

Unai Emery's squad will face Bundesliga side Freiburg in Turkey, and while it may not match the prestige of the Champions League, it remains an opportunity for those wearing claret and blue to etch their names into history forever like Spink.