 His first two seasons at Carrow Road saw Spearing in the reserves and also spent time out on loan in 1984–85 at Stoke City (making nine appearances) and Oxford United (making five appearances).Spearing played 10 times for Norwich in 1985–86 as they won the Second Division.Spearing was a regular under Dave Stringer in 1986–87 playing in 48 matches before losing his place to Mark Bowen and in 1988 he joined Leicester City for a fee of £100,000.