Hubbry Logo
Phil NealPhil NealMain
Open search
Phil Neal
Community hub
Phil Neal
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Phil Neal
Phil Neal
Phil Neal
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Philip George Neal (born 20 February 1951) is an English retired footballer who played for Northampton Town, Liverpool and Bolton Wanderers as a full-back. He is regarded as one of the most successful English players of all time,[3] having won eight First Division titles, four League Cups, five FA Charity Shields, four European Cups, one UEFA Cup and one UEFA Super Cup during his eleven years at Liverpool. He later returned to Bolton Wanderers as manager, leading them to victory in the Football League Trophy before spells managing Coventry City, Cardiff City and Manchester City.

Key Information

Neal also had a long career with the England national team, winning 50 caps and playing in the 1982 World Cup. He would go on to be England's assistant manager under Graham Taylor.[4]

Neal's nickname whilst at Liverpool was Zico – a reference to the Brazilian play maker and a compliment to Neal, who was known for scoring important goals throughout the club's history. His son, Ashley Neal, also became a footballer.

Playing career

[edit]
Neal (top right) playing in 1981

Neal began his playing career at Wellingborough Town, before he joined Northampton Town in 1967. He went on to make 187 appearances for the club before being signed on 9 October 1974 for £66,000 by Liverpool manager Bob Paisley. Paisley had intended to break Neal in as a replacement for the ageing Chris Lawler, meaning that he initially played as a left-back. It would be, however, his industrious and energetic performances at right-back where he made his name.

Neal made his Liverpool debut in the Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park on 16 November 1974, a game which ended 0–0. Neal made his debut alongside midfielder Terry McDermott. Neal's first goal for the club came almost exactly one year later on 4 November 1975, during the 6–0 defeat of Real Sociedad in a UEFA Cup game at Anfield.

Neal scored from the penalty spot late in the 1977 European Cup Final, when the Anfield club beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 3–1 in Rome to win the European Cup for the first time. Neal subsequently played in the winning 1978 and 1981 finals, Liverpool beating Club Brugge and Real Madrid respectively. He scored in the first half of the 1984 final against A.S. Roma, which ended 1–1 and was decided on penalty kicks, won by Liverpool (with Neal scoring Liverpool's first goal of the shootout, from its second shot). Neal was the only player to appear in all four of Liverpool's European Cup wins of the 1970s and 1980s.

In total, Neal won eight First Divisions, four League Cups, five FA Charity Shields, four European Cups, one UEFA Cup and one UEFA Super Cup during his eleven years at Liverpool, making him one of the most successful Englishmen ever to play the game. During his Liverpool career, Neal was ever-present in the starting line-up for several seasons. He played 366 consecutive league matches (a club record and among the highest in English football history)[5] from 14 December 1974 until 24 September 1983, when he suffered an injury against Manchester United that forced him to miss the following week's match against Sunderland.

Neal departed Anfield after 11 years in 1985, joining Bolton Wanderers as player-manager. He retired from playing in 1989 after more than 700 league appearances and 50 caps for England.

Managerial career

[edit]

In December 1985, Neal was appointed player-manager of Bolton Wanderers and managed the club for seven years. During this period, Neal led the club to win the Football League Trophy in 1989, although the club would later suffer relegation to the Fourth Division for the first time in their history. They won promotion back to the Third Division the following season, reaching the Third Division play-offs in 1990 and 1991 but failed to win promotion on either occasion. In 1991, they had been pipped to automatic promotion by Grimsby Town on goal difference, and lost to Tranmere Rovers in the playoff final. A year later, they finished 13th in the Third Division and Neal was sacked on 8 May 1992. His successor was Bruce Rioch, who guided Bolton to promotion from the newly named Division Two (rebranded as part of a reorganisation prompted by the creation of the FA Premier League) in 1993 and to the top flight in 1995.[6]

Neal returned to club management on 23 October 1993 with Coventry City, beginning his spell at Highfield Road on that day with a 5–1 defeat against QPR that left them 12th in the Premier League.[7][8] Despite a shaky start to his time as Sky Blues manager, they did well in the second half of the season and finished 11th in the league – their highest finish since coming seventh in 1989.[9] Perhaps the most impressive result that season after Neal's arrival was a 4–0 home win over Manchester City on 19 February 1994.[10] However, Coventry struggled in 1994–95 despite the £2million arrival of striker Dion Dublin from Manchester United on 10 September, and Neal was sacked on 14 February 1995[11] despite a 2–0 away win over fellow strugglers Crystal Palace three days earlier, which saw them 17th in the Premier League and two places above the relegation zone.[12] Neal's successor Ron Atkinson ensured City's survival.[13]

He was appointed manager of Cardiff City in Division Three in February 1996, but in October that year he left Ninian Park to become assistant manager to Steve Coppell at Manchester City who were struggling in Division One after relegation from the Premier League. However, Coppell resigned on 8 November 1996 and Neal became caretaker manager until the arrival of Frank Clark on 29 December.[7]

For the 1997–98 season, Neal was recruited as assistant manager to chairman-manager Barry Fry at Peterborough United after their relegation to Division Three, but he was axed by Fry on 15 March 1998.[14]

He has also played for and coached the Liverpool masters side which dominated the Sky Sports Masters series.

Media

[edit]

In recent years, Neal has worked as a football pundit for various television and radio organisations.

He has written two autobiographies, Attack from the Back in 1981 and Life at the Kop in 1986.

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Northampton Town 1968–69 Third Division 21 4 1 0 0 0 – – 22 4
1969–70 Fourth Division 13 1 3 1 1 0 – – 17 2
1970–71 18 2 0 0 2 0 – – 20 2
1971–72 41 1 4 0 1 0 – – 46 1
1972–73 38 9 1 0 1 0 – – 40 9
1973–74 46 9 3 0 1 0 – – 50 9
1974–75 10 2 0 0 3 1 – – 13 3
Total 187 28 12 1 9 1 0 0 0 0 208 30
Liverpool 1974–75 First Division 23 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 – 25 0
1975–76 42 6 2 0 3 0 12 1 – 59 7
1976–77 42 7 8 2 2 0 8 4 1[a] 0 61 13
1977–78 42 4 1 0 9 1 9 2 1[a] 0 62 7
1978–79 42 5 7 0 1 0 4 0 – 54 5
1979–80 42 1 8 0 7 0 2 0 1[a] 0 60 1
1980–81 42 2 2 0 9 0 9 1 1[a] 0 63 3
1981–82 42 2 3 0 10 1 6 0 622 3
1982–83 42 8 3 0 8 1 6 2 1[a] 0 60 11
1983–84 41 1 2 0 12 1 8 1 1[a] 0 64 3
1984–85 42 4 7 1 3 0 10 0 2[b] 0 64 5
1985–86 13 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 1[c] 0 16 1
Total 455 41 45 3 66 4 74 11 650 59
Bolton Wanderers 1985–86 Third Division 20 2 – – – – 20 2
1986–87 28 1 – – – – 28 1
1987–88 Fourth Division 8 0 – – – – 8 0
1988–89 Third Division 8 0 – – – – 8 0
Total 64 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 64 3
Career total 706 72 57 4 75 5 74 11 922 92
  1. ^ a b c d e f Appearance in FA Charity Shield
  2. ^ One appearance in FA Charity Shield, one appearance in Intercontinental Cup
  3. ^ Appearance in Football League Super Cup

International

[edit]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
England 1976 2 0
1977 7 0
1978 6 3
1979 7 0
1980 7 0
1981 5 0
1982 8 1
1983 8 1
Total 50 5

Honours

[edit]

Player

[edit]

Liverpool

Manager

[edit]

Bolton Wanderers

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Phil Neal

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Philip George Neal (born 20 February 1951) is an English former professional footballer who played primarily as a right-back, renowned for his 11-year tenure at , where he became the club's most decorated player by winning 23 major trophies. Neal began his career at Town, making over 180 appearances before joining for £66,000 in October 1974, where he quickly established himself as a reliable defender and occasional goalscorer from penalties and set pieces. During his time at Anfield, he made 650 appearances and scored 59 goals, contributing to an extraordinary period of success under managers and , including eight First Division titles (1975–76, 1976–77, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1985–86), four European Cups (1977, 1978, 1981, 1984), four League Cups (1981, 1982, 1983, 1984), one UEFA Cup (1976), one European Super Cup (1977), and five FA Charity Shields (1976, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1986). Internationally, Neal earned 50 caps for between 1976 and 1983, scoring five goals, and featured in major tournaments such as the . After leaving in 1985, he spent four seasons at Wanderers, making 110 appearances before retiring in 1989, and later pursued coaching roles, including a brief caretaker stint as manager of Manchester City.

Early life

Family and upbringing

Philip George Neal was born on 20 February 1951 in Irchester, a small village in , . Growing up in the local area during the post-war era, Neal developed an early interest in football, reflecting the sport's prominence in working-class communities of the . He began his youth involvement in the game with non-league club Wellingborough Town, a team based near his hometown, where he honed his skills as a versatile player before turning professional. This local foundation laid the groundwork for his progression to Town as an apprentice in July 1967, marking the start of his structured football development amid modest beginnings far from the professional spotlight. Neal married Susan (Sue) in the early 1970s, and the couple raised two children: son Ashley, born in 1974, who followed in his father's footsteps as a professional footballer, making appearances for clubs including , & Albion, and ; and daughter . The family resided in the area during Neal's successful tenure at , where domestic life provided balance to his high-profile career. Neal also has a sister who has been wheelchair-bound due to ; in 2000, he auctioned several of his European Cup winner's medals to fund support for her care and contribute to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Youth career

He began playing football locally with Irchester FC, a community side in his hometown, marking his initial foray into organized amateur football. Neal progressed to Wellingborough Town, a non-league club, where he honed his skills as a defender during his youth. This period represented his primary amateur experience before attracting professional interest. At the age of 16, Neal signed as an apprentice with in July 1967, transitioning from to a professional club's youth setup. He turned professional with the club in December 1968, shortly after making his first-team debut at 17 under manager . During his apprenticeship, Neal trained across multiple positions, including forward and defender, demonstrating early versatility that would define his career.

Professional playing career

Northampton Town

Phil Neal, born in the nearby village of Irchester on 20 February 1951, began his professional football journey with after playing for local non-league side . He joined the Cobblers as an apprentice in July 1967 and turned professional in December 1968, making his league debut during the 1968–69 season in the Third Division. Neal quickly established himself as a versatile at , capable of filling multiple roles across the pitch due to the squad's limited depth in the lower divisions. Predominantly a right-back, he also featured at left-back, in midfield, and even as a stand-in goalkeeper during one match when injuries forced the team to improvise— an instance notably observed by manager during scouting. This adaptability was crucial for , who relied on his reliability in a challenging period that saw the club relegated to the Fourth Division at the end of the 1968–69 season. Over his six full seasons with the Cobblers, Neal became a regular starter, contributing offensively as well as defensively with his goal-scoring ability from set pieces and open play. He amassed 187 league appearances and 28 goals, with his most prolific campaign coming in 1973–74 when he scored 9 goals in 46 outings. His performances in the lower tiers highlighted his potential, particularly in the 1972–73 and 1973–74 seasons where Northampton stabilized in Division Four, though the team struggled to mount a promotion challenge. Neal's time at Northampton ended on 9 October 1974 when he transferred to First Division Liverpool for a fee of £66,000, a significant sum reflecting his growing reputation as a promising full-back. This move marked the end of his apprenticeship in the Football League's lower echelons and the beginning of his ascent to elite-level success.

Liverpool

Phil Neal joined Liverpool from Town on 9 October 1974 for a transfer fee of £66,000, marking Bob Paisley's first signing as manager. He made his debut in a against Everton on 16 November 1974, playing as a left-back in a 0-0 draw at . Initially deployed on the left to cover for an injured Lindsay, Neal quickly established himself as a versatile full-back, capable of playing on either flank and occasionally in midfield or even goal during emergencies. His attacking prowess from the right-back position became a hallmark, adding an "extra " to the team through surging forward runs and precise crosses, as noted by teammate . Over his 11-year tenure at , Neal appeared in 650 matches, scoring 59 goals, and formed part of Liverpool's legendary back four alongside , , and later . He holds the club record for consecutive league appearances with 365 from 1974 to 1983, underscoring his reliability and endurance. Neal contributed significantly to Liverpool's dominance in English and European football, winning eight First Division titles (1975–76, 1976–77, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1985–86), four European Cups (1977, 1978, 1981, 1984), four League Cups (1981, 1982, 1983, 1984), one Cup (1976), and one European (1977). As the only player to feature in all four of Liverpool's first European Cup triumphs, he scored crucial goals in two finals: a penalty in the 3–1 victory over in 1977 and both a goal and a penalty in the 1–1 draw (4–2 on penalties) against Roma in 1984. These achievements cemented his status as Liverpool's most decorated player, amassing 23 major trophies in total. Neal assumed the captaincy during the 1984–85 season following Graeme Souness's departure to Rangers, leading the team through a challenging period marked by the in May 1985, which resulted in the banning of English clubs from European competitions. His time at ended in December 1985 when he departed on a free transfer to join Bolton Wanderers as player-manager.

Bolton Wanderers

Neal joined Bolton Wanderers on 18 December 1985 as a player-manager on a free transfer from , taking over from amid the club's struggles in the Second Division. In his debut season of 1985–86, Neal played 17 league matches as Bolton finished 18th, avoiding relegation by a narrow margin. He remained a regular in the right-back position during the 1986–87 campaign, appearing in 34 league games and scoring twice, but the team was relegated to Division after finishing 22nd. Neal's playing involvement decreased from 1987–88 onward as he prioritized managerial duties, though he still contributed 13 appearances and one goal that season, helping Bolton secure promotion back to the Second Division via a third-place finish. Over his four years as a player at Bolton, he made 64 league appearances and netted three goals in total, providing defensive stability and leadership during a turbulent period for the club that included further relegation in 1988–89. Neal retired from playing in 1989 at age 38, having added 24 cup appearances to his tally without scoring, to fully concentrate on guiding the team through the lower divisions.

International career

Senior team debut and caps

Phil Neal made his senior debut for the national team on 24 March 1976, in a friendly match against at the in , which won 2–1. At the age of 25 years and one month, Neal started at right-back and played the full 90 minutes, marking the beginning of a seven-year international during which he established himself as a reliable defender. Over the course of his England tenure, Neal accumulated 50 caps, scoring 5 goals, with appearances spanning from 1976 to 1983. He primarily operated as a right-back but demonstrated versatility by also playing on the left side of defense when required, contributing to 's defensive solidity in various competitions including friendlies, qualifiers, and qualifiers. His international goals came against opponents such as (1978), (1978), and (1978), often from set-piece situations that highlighted his attacking contributions from deep positions. Neal's final cap arrived on 21 September 1983, in a qualifying match against at , where suffered a 1–0 defeat; he was 32 years old and substituted off in the 72nd minute. Despite not always being an undisputed starter under managers like and , his 50 appearances underscored his consistency and importance to the squad, particularly during the qualification campaigns for the 1978 and 1982 World Cups.

Major tournaments

Neal's international career with England included participation in two major tournaments: the 1980 UEFA European Championship and the . In the 1980 European Championship held in , Neal was selected for the England squad under manager . He started both of England's group stage matches in Group B. On 12 June 1980, Neal played the full 90 minutes in a 1–1 draw against at in , where scored England's goal. Three days later, on 15 June, he again featured for the full match against hosts at the same venue, but England lost 1–0 to a header, finishing second in the group behind the and failing to advance to the semi-finals. Neal did not score in the tournament and provided defensive solidity on the right flank during England's disappointing campaign. Neal was also part of England's squad for the in , again under Greenwood. He made two appearances during the tournament. In the opening group match on 16 June against at Estadio San Mamés in , Neal entered as a 90th-minute substitute for , helping secure a 3–1 victory with goals from (twice) and . England then lost 1–0 to on 20 June, where Neal remained an unused substitute. He started the final group game on 25 June against , playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 win sealed by a late goal, which ensured England's progression to the second group stage. However, Neal did not feature in the subsequent matches—a 0–0 draw with and another 0–0 against —leading to England's elimination. Neal recorded no goals in the tournament and contributed to the team's defensive efforts in limited minutes.

Coaching and managerial career

Bolton Wanderers manager

Phil Neal joined Wanderers as player-manager on 18 December 1985, departing Liverpool after 11 successful years to take on the at the Second Division club. In his first full season, Neal continued to feature regularly on the pitch while guiding the team, but suffered relegation to the Fourth Division in 1986–87, marking the club's first-ever drop to that level. Neal responded by securing immediate promotion back to the Third Division the following season, 1987–88, through a strong league performance that saw finish second in the Fourth Division. By this point, his playing involvement had diminished, and he retired from competitive football in 1989 after making 64 league appearances for . That year, under Neal's management, achieved their most notable success by winning the (now known as the ), defeating Torquay United 4–1 in the final at on 28 May 1989. The 1990–91 season brought further promise as Bolton reached the play-off final for promotion to the Second Division, only to lose 1–0 to Tranmere Rovers at . Neal's tenure concluded at the end of the 1991–92 season, with Bolton finishing 13th in the Third Division; he was relieved of his duties in May 1992 and replaced by . Over his seven-year stint, Neal's leadership stabilized the club post-relegation and delivered a Wembley triumph, though overall league progress remained modest.

Assistant manager roles

During his time managing Bolton Wanderers, Phil Neal also took on a role as assistant manager with the national team under , beginning in 1990. Neal served as Taylor's assistant through the qualification campaigns for the 1992 European Championships and the , contributing to team preparation and tactical planning during a challenging period marked by high expectations and eventual failure to qualify for the . This tenure, which ended with Taylor's resignation in 1993, was documented in the 1994 fly-on-the-wall film , where Neal was portrayed as a supportive figure in the amid intense media scrutiny. Following his England role, Neal managed Coventry City from October 1993 to February 1995, succeeding John Gorman and overseeing 68 matches, during which the team avoided relegation in 1993–94 but suffered a poor start leading to his dismissal in 1995. After leaving Coventry, Neal had a brief spell as manager of Cardiff City from February to October 1996. He then joined Manchester City as assistant to in October of that year. His time in this role lasted only a few weeks, as Coppell departed shortly after, leading Neal to step up as from November to December 1996; during this interim period, he oversaw ten league matches, securing just two victories. Neal's final assistant manager position was at Peterborough United for the 1997–98 season, where he worked under following the club's relegation to Division Three. In this role, Neal focused on squad development and match preparation for the lower-tier campaign, though the partnership was short-lived and did not lead to promotion. These assistant roles highlighted Neal's adaptability in coaching but were overshadowed by the more prominent demands of his earlier managerial experiences.

Media and broadcasting

Punditry and commentary

Following his retirement from professional football in 1989, Phil Neal established a career in media as a football pundit and commentator, leveraging his extensive experience as Liverpool's most decorated player. He became a regular contributor to , the club's official television channel, where he provided expert analysis and pre- and post-match commentary on Liverpool fixtures. Neal frequently served as a co-commentator for broadcasts, particularly in the channel's early years, often teaming up with former teammate to form a popular noted for its enthusiasm and insightful recollections of the club's golden era. Their partnership added a layer of historical context and passion to the coverage, enhancing the viewing experience for fans. Over time, Neal extended his media presence to other television and radio outlets, offering commentary on broader football topics while maintaining a focus on Liverpool-related content.

Other media appearances

Neal has made notable appearances in television documentaries highlighting key aspects of his career. In 1994, he featured prominently in the production An Impossible Job, a fly-on-the-wall that followed manager Graham Taylor's tenure and the team's unsuccessful qualification campaign for the , during which Neal served as Taylor's assistant. The film captured behind-the-scenes moments, including Neal's interactions with players and staff, and became infamous for its portrayal of the managerial pressures involved. In 2018, Neal contributed interviews to the ITV mini-series When English Football Ruled Europe, specifically the episode covering 1977–1980, where he reflected on 's dominance in European competitions, including four European Cup triumphs. His insights provided personal anecdotes from the era when English clubs won seven of eight European Cups between 1977 and 1984. Additionally, Neal appeared as a guest on the BBC's This Is Your Life in 1979, during the episode dedicated to his teammate , sharing stories from their shared successes at .

Personal life

Family

Phil Neal has been married to his wife, Sue, since 1971. The couple has two children: a daughter, , born around 1973, and a son, Ashley, born around 1975. Ashley pursued a professional football career as a defender, playing for clubs including Brighton & Hove Albion and Northampton Town. In 2000, Neal auctioned a collection of his football memorabilia, including international caps and match-worn shirts, raising over £94,000; the proceeds were primarily allocated to secure the financial futures of and Ashley, with additional donations to the Society and the Fund for cancer research. Neal and his family later established a trust fund for his grandchildren by selling his 1977 and 1978 European Cup winner's medals at auction in 2017 for a combined £18,212; he consulted his children on the decision, noting they did not wish to retain the items themselves.

Later years and interests

Following his retirement from management in 1997, Phil Neal has maintained an active involvement in football-related community initiatives. As of 2018, he regularly participated in sessions at Sports and , a Liverpool FC-supported program designed for men over 50 to promote physical health and social engagement among former players. Neal was described as a leading figure in these weekly gatherings, alongside peers like , emphasizing the modified rules—no running, headers, or tackling—to make the game accessible and enjoyable in later life. Neal also stays connected to Liverpool FC through stadium tours at Anfield, where he guides visitors and recounts stories from his playing days, often interacting with fans for autographs and photographs; as of 2025, he continues to participate in Legends Q&A sessions. Additionally, he has taken up as a prominent hobby, joining events such as the Liverpool FC Golf Day on championship courses, where he teams up with other club legends to support fundraising efforts. Neal and his family established a trust fund for his grandchildren by selling his 1977 and 1978 European Cup winners' medals in 2017. He has also appeared on the after-dinner speaking circuit, sharing insights from his career in a more relaxed, anecdotal format. These pursuits highlight Neal's transition to a balanced focused on , legacy, and personal fulfillment.

Career statistics

Club statistics

Phil Neal's club career spanned three teams, where he primarily played as a right-back, contributing defensively while also providing goals from set pieces and open play. At Northampton Town, Neal made his professional debut in the lower divisions, accumulating 187 league appearances and scoring 28 goals between 1969 and 1974. His most prolific period came at , where from 1974 to 1985 he featured in 455 First Division matches, scoring 41 goals, and amassed 650 appearances with 59 goals across all competitions. Neal concluded his playing career at Bolton Wanderers from 1985 to 1989, recording 64 league appearances and 3 goals. The following table summarizes his league statistics by club:
ClubYearsLeague AppearancesGoals
Northampton Town1969–197418728
1974–198545541
Bolton Wanderers1985–1989643
For Liverpool, a breakdown of appearances and goals by competition includes:
CompetitionAppearancesGoals
First Division45541
453
664
European Cup5711
UEFA Cup121
Other (Shields, etc.)150
Total65059

International statistics

Phil Neal represented the national team from 1976 to 1983, accumulating 50 caps and scoring 5 goals during his international career. His debut came on 24 March 1976 in a 2–1 friendly victory over at the in , where he played the full 90 minutes as a right-back. Neal's final appearance was on 21 September 1983, a 1–0 defeat to in a qualifier at . Over this period, he established himself as a dependable defender, contributing to England's qualification campaigns and major tournaments, including the in , where he featured in two group stage matches against and . Neal's goals were scored in British Home Championship matches (two), European Championship qualifiers (two), and friendlies (one). His first came on 16 May 1978 in a 4–2 win against at . These strikes underscored his occasional attacking threat from set pieces and overlaps, though his primary role remained defensive solidity. The following table summarizes Neal's international appearances by competition:
CompetitionAppearancesGoals
Friendlies161
112
European Championship Qualifiers122
World Cup Qualifiers60
World Cup Finals20
European Championship Finals20
Total505
Note: The two appearances in European Championship Finals refer to matches in the 1980 UEFA European Championship against and . Neal's international record reflects a win rate of approximately 57% across his caps, with notable contributions in home internationals and qualifiers that helped England secure spots in major events.

Honours

As a player

Liverpool

  • Football League First Division: 1975–76, 1976–77, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1985–86
  • European Cup: 1976–77, 1977–78, 1980–81, 1983–84
  • UEFA Cup: 1975–76
  • Football League Cup: 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84
  • European Super Cup: 1977
  • FA Charity Shield: 1976, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1986
Neal is Liverpool's most decorated player, with 23 major honours.

As a manager

Bolton Wanderers

  • Football League Trophy: 1988–89

References

  1. https://www.lfchistory.net/players/player/profile/387
  2. https://www.liverpoolfc.com/info/phil-neal
  3. https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/50-years-ago-story-begins-liverpool-fcs-most-decorated-player
  4. https://www.thisisanfield.com/2023/04/the-most-decorated-liverpool-fc-player-in-history-23-honours/
  5. https://www.englandstats.com/player.php?pid=910
  6. https://www.transfermarkt.com/neal-phil/profil/trainer/24184
  7. https://thesefootballtimes.co/2020/02/11/phil-neal-the-most-decorated-yet-understated-player-in-liverpool-history/
  8. http://englandfootballonline.com/TeamPlyrsBios/PlayersN/BioNealPJ.html
  9. https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/football-liverpool-and-england-defender-phil-neal-playing-news-photo/79031538
  10. https://wearebrighton.com/albiondatabase/the-liverpool-loanee-who-was-brightons-worst-ever-player/
  11. https://shop.memorylane.co.uk/mirror/1000to1099-01088/liverpool-footballer-phil-neal-wife-sue-children-21795161.html
  12. https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/6073891.phil-sells-his-soccer-jewels-to-help-his-sick-sister/
  13. https://www.transfermarkt.us/phil-neal/profil/spieler/130308
  14. https://www.cwn.org.uk/skyblues/jim-brown/2001/011008-managers-phil-neal.htm
  15. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cprg52e3201o
  16. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/phil-neal/transfers/spieler/130308
  17. https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2020/may/from-player-to-manager-phil-neal
  18. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/liverpool-fc/phil-neal-9748/league-appearances_a16942/
  19. https://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/england/phil-neal-9748/biography-part-1-1976-77_a11989/
  20. http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamPlyrsBios/PlayersN/BioNealPJ.html
  21. https://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/england/phil-neal-9748/biography-part-3-1982-world-cup-83_a11991/
  22. https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/18030/Phil_Neal.html
  23. https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/11238946.sherpa-van-trophy-memories-how-the-bolton-evening-news-reported-the-match-at-the-time/
  24. https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/making-impossible-job-ffts-inside-story-men-involved
  25. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/24354888
  26. http://www.englandfootballonline.com/teammgr/Mgr_TaylorG.html
  27. https://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/2019/august/supremos-a-profile-of-former-manager-phil-neal/
  28. https://bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/History/Managers/Manager.aspx?id=31
  29. https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/96425-class-of-81-where-are-they-now
  30. https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/features/391934-steve-hunter-s-guide-to-his-lfc-co-commentators-through-the-years
  31. https://champions-speakers.co.uk/speaker-agent/phil-neal
  32. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3823528/
  33. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8215330/
  34. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8214438/
  35. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0721775/
  36. https://www.nowjakarta.co.id/liverpool-england-football-legend-phil-neal-back-in-jakarta/
  37. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/949244.stm
  38. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ashley-neal/profil/spieler/5790
  39. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5401353/Phil-Neal-winning-23-trophies-Liverpool.html
  40. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/may/20/phil-neal-leads-the-way-in-liverpools-walking-football-team
  41. https://www.alamy.com/former-professional-footballer-phil-neal-taking-part-in-a-session-of-walking-football-at-anfield-sports-and-community-centre-in-liverpool-the-initiative-for-men-over-the-age-of-50-years-of-age-is-supported-by-liverpool-football-club-former-liverpool-players-such-as-phil-neal-and-alan-kennedy-regularly-take-part-in-the-weekly-sessions-image234172145.html
  42. https://www.liverpooltheatres.com/event/liverpool-fc-stadium-tour-&-legends-q&a
  43. https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/announcements/291710-lfc-golf-day
  44. https://soccerspeaker.co.uk/guest-speakers/football-speakers/phil-neal/
  45. https://www.transfermarkt.us/phil-neal/erfolge/spieler/130308
  46. https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/1230079.phil-neals-bolton-highs-and-lows/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.