This nickname was acquired in the 1960's when Monty Python's second series, first episode included a sketch about Doug and Dinsdale Pirana - the Pirana brothers. These villains were chased by a giant hedgehog called Spiny Norman. Next day school friends applied the nickname to me. It has stuck, to the extent that some do not know my real name and is still used by all to this day.
Hope that answers some of the questions.
Spiny (aka) Alan Norman