I have to take back my statement that any recent compiler shout be able to build a working u-boot, spl combo. To be self contained I build u-boot, spl on my roc-pc and flashed the result to the spi flash and it doesn't work! Bummer.
I had to debrick the board with the version I have cross-compiled on my Arch Linux PC. At the moment on the distribution my board is a Manjaro Arm Linux.
I am baffled and have to think how to continue.