Chris Neal

For the Australian musician and songwriter, see Chris Neal (songwriter). For the screenwriter with the pseudonym "Chris Neal", see Daniel Knauf. For the ice hockey player, see Chris Neil.
Chris Neal

Neal as a Port Vale player in April 2013.
Personal information
Full name Christopher Michael Neal[1]
Date of birth (1985-10-23) 23 October 1985
Place of birth St Albans, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Playing position Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Fleetwood Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2009 Preston North End 1 (0)
2005 → Tamworth (loan) 5 (0)
2006 → Shrewsbury Town (loan) 0 (0)
2007 → Morecambe (loan) 0 (0)
2009–2012 Shrewsbury Town 64 (0)
2012–2016 Port Vale 123 (0)
2016 → Doncaster Rovers (loan) 2 (0)
2016 → Bury (loan) 10 (0)
2016– Fleetwood Town 0 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 00:00, 10 May 2016 (UTC).


Christopher Michael Neal (born 23 October 1985) is an English football goalkeeper who plays for League One club Fleetwood Town.

He began his career at Preston North End, making his Football League debut in February 2005, having previously impressed in a brief loan spell at Conference club Tamworth. He had short loan spells at Shrewsbury Town and Morecambe in the 2006–07 season as a covering player, before he was signed by Shrewsbury Town permanently in July 2009. He was the club's regular custodian as promotion to League One was achieved in 2011–12. He joined Port Vale in July 2012, and helped the club to secure promotion out of League Two in 2012–13. He joined Doncaster Rovers on loan in February 2016, and then Bury the following month. He joined Fleetwood Town on a free transfer in May 2016.

Playing career

Preston North End

Neal began his career at Preston North End, signing professional forms under Billy Davies at the start of the 2004–05 season.[2] He went on loan to Conference club Tamworth in January 2005.[3] He made his debut for the "Lambs" on 8 January, in a 4–3 defeat to Aldershot Town at the Recreation Ground.[4] He kept a clean sheet on his debut at The Lamb Ground 16 days later, as Tamworth recorded a 1–0 win over Accrington Stanley; during the game he was credited with making a "brilliant" save.[5] He played a total of six games for Mark Cooper's side, before returning to Preston in February. He made his first and only appearance for the "Lilywhites" on 18 February, as Gavin Ward was forced to leave the field 83 minutes into a 1–1 draw with Ipswich Town in a Championship fixture at Deepdale.[6] At the end of the season Chester City and Tamworth attempted to sign him on loan,[7][8] but both clubs were unsuccessful. He was linked to a move to Oldham Athletic in July 2006,[9] but again no move materialized.

Neal had to wait until September 2006 for another loan move, as he spent one month at Gary Peters' League Two side Shrewsbury Town, providing cover for Chris Mackenzie after an injury to Ryan Esson.[10] Neal appeared on the Shrewsbury bench for six league matches but did not make it onto the pitch at Gay Meadow, though he did play the full 90 minutes of the Football League Trophy match at Hereford United. At the end of the season he was signed by Morecambe as an emergency loan after the club's regular custodian Steven Drench dislocated an elbow, leaving manager Sammy McIlroy to choose between Davies and Neal for the Conference National play-off final at Wembley.[11] Despite being awarded a winners medal he did not spend any time on the pitch for the Lancashire club as the club's rookie goalkeeper, Scott Davies, proved up to the task of keeping goal in the club's successful promotion bid. Neal did not make a senior appearance in 2007–08 or 2008–09 under either Paul Simpson or Alan Irvine. During this time he shook off a bout of conjunctivitis.[12]

Shrewsbury Town

In July 2009, Neal made a permanent move from Preston, rejoining Paul Simpson's Shrewsbury Town for a nominal fee.[13] He started the first four games of the 2009–10 season, but lost his place to loanee David Button due to a groin injury,[14] and played just six further games that season. He began the 2010–11 campaign as the "Shrews" preferred keeper following an injury to rival Ben Smith,[15] but lost his first team place in November after 20 appearances, and only played a handful of games thereafter as a fit again Smith was preferred by manager Graham Turner.[16] He made his first League Two appearance of the 2011–12 season on 8 October, but remained between the sticks for the rest of the season, as Shrewsbury won promotion as the division's runners-up.[17]

Port Vale

He failed to agree fresh terms with Shrewsbury, having only been offered a one-year deal,[18] and instead signed a two-year contract with Port Vale in July 2012, having impressed manager Micky Adams in a match between the two clubs some months earlier.[19] He admitted that he had expected to stay at the New Meadow, but that he was happy to switch clubs in an attempt to win promotion out of League Two for a second successive season with the "Valiants".[20] He began the 2012–13 season in excellent form, and was named as man of the match after saving eleven shots in a 1–0 win over Bradford City at Valley Parade on 29 September.[21] However three days later he dropped a "clanger" at Vale Park as a weak 25 yard shot from Dagenham & Redbridge midfielder Luke Howell "somehow squirmed beneath the embarrassed keeper and trickled into the Vale net" in a disappointing 1–1 draw.[22] He began wearing protective face gear after bruising his cheekbone against Dagenham, and then continued to wear the gear as he superstitiously believed they were essential to the team's run of good results (however he stopped this practice after a run of defeats in December[23]).[24] He made "a string of flying stops during a man-of-the-match display" in an FA Cup defeat to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on 1 December.[25] He remained a near ever-present, playing 51 games as Vale were promoted at the end of the season in third-place, and was voted as both the Port Vale's players' player of the season and away fan's player of the season.[26]

Neal made a strong start to the 2013–14 season before injuring his wrist at the end of November.[27] After returning to fitness he displaced deputy goalkeeper Sam Johnson and retained his first team spot until he damaged his ankle ligaments in a challenge with Tranmere Rovers defender Ian Goodison on 22 March; the resulting injury kept him out of action for the rest of the season.[28] Despite his injuries he was again voted as both the Port Vale's players' player of the season and away fan's player of the season,[29] and signed a new two-year contract in the summer.[30]

Neal started the 2014–15 season on the bench, as Johnson was selected for the season opener.[31] After returning to the starting line-up in September he won praise for his performances.[32] He again earned praise in December for a series of consistent performances and impressive saves in close games.[33] He remain the first choice goalkeeper until he was suspending after being sent off in a 3–1 defeat at Leyton Orient.[34] He returned to the first team following his suspension, and was one of the most consistent performers of the season.[35]

He missed the start of the 2015–16 season after picking up an ankle injury in pre-season, and only returned to match fitness at the end of October.[36] He joined league rivals Doncaster Rovers on a 28-day loan on 1 February as manager Darren Ferguson looked to provide competition for Thorsten Stuckmann and Marko Maroši.[37] Neal stated that he joined "Donny" in order to play first team football.[38] He played two games at Keepmoat Stadium before his loan spell was ended by Port Vale on 20 February as injury to Jak Alnwick restored Neal to the Vale first team.[39] He retained his first team place at Vale until on 18 March, when he joined Bury on loan until the end of the season.[40] After making a good start to his time at Gigg Lane, he told the Bury Times that he hoped to join the club permanently on a free transfer.[41] He was released by Port Vale upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season.[42]

Fleetwood Town

Neal signed a two-year contract with League One side Fleetwood Town in May 2016, and joined the club shortly after the departure of Chris Maxwell.[43]

Statistics

As of 13 May 2016.
Club Season Division League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Tamworth (loan)2004–05[44]Conference National5000001[lower-alpha 1]060
Shrewsbury Town (loan)2006–07[45]League Two0000001[lower-alpha 2]010
Morecambe (loan)2006–07[45]Conference National0000000000
Preston North End2004–05[44]Championship1000000010
2005–06[46]Championship0000000000
2006–07[45]Championship0000000000
2007–08[47]Championship0000000000
2008–09[48]Championship0000000000
Total 1000000010
Shrewsbury Town2009–10[49]League Two7010101[lower-alpha 2]0100
2010–11[50]League Two22010101[lower-alpha 2]0250
2011–12[51]League Two35030001[lower-alpha 2]0390
Total 640502030740
Doncaster Rovers (loan)2015–16[52]League One2000000020
Bury (loan)2015–16[52]League One100000000100
Port Vale2012–13[53]League Two46020102[lower-alpha 2]0510
2013–14[54]League One31040102[lower-alpha 2]0380
2014–15[55]League One40010101[lower-alpha 2]0430
2015–16[52]League One6000000060
Total 12807030501430
Fleetwood Town2016–17[56]League One0000000000
Career total 2050120501002320
  1. ↑ Appearance/s in the FA Trophy.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Appearance/s in the EFL Trophy.

Honours

with Morecambe
with Shrewsbury Town
with Port Vale

References

  1. ↑ "The Football League Limited: Club list of registered players as at 16th May 2015" (PDF). The Football League. 16 May 2015. p. 55. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  2. ↑ "Neal extends Tamworth loan spell". BBC Sport. 7 February 2005. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  3. ↑ "Keeper Neal in Tamworth loan move". BBC Sport. 7 January 2005. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
  4. ↑ "Aldershot 4-3 Tamworth". BBC Sport. 8 January 2005. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  5. ↑ "Tamworth 1-0 Accrington". BBC Sport. 22 January 2005. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  6. ↑ "Preston vs Ipswich Town". pnefc.net. 18 February 2005. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  7. ↑ "Chester move in for keeper Neal". BBC Sport. 5 July 2005. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
  8. ↑ "Tamworth net veteran goalkeeper". BBC Sport. 20 June 2005. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  9. ↑ "Preston keeper has Oldham spell". BBC Sport. 18 July 2006. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  10. ↑ "Preston keeper leaves after loan". BBC Sport. 25 October 2006. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  11. ↑ "Morecambe bring in keeper on loan". BBC Sport. 14 May 2007. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  12. ↑ "Preston goalkeeper leaves on loan". BBC Sport. 17 October 2007. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  13. ↑ "Keeper Neal signs for Shrewsbury". BBC Sport. 2 July 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
  14. ↑ "Neal ready for Shrewsbury return". BBC Sport. 2 November 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  15. ↑ "Chris Neal strives to be first choice for Shrewsbury". BBC Sport. 16 September 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  16. ↑ "Ben Smith surprised by Shrewsbury Town start". BBC Sport. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  17. ↑ "Shrewsbury Town keeper Chris Neal has double dream". Shropshire Star. 25 April 2005. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  18. ↑ "Fate decrees that Neil is gearing up for League Two promotion challenge again". The Sentinel. 7 July 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  19. ↑ "Port Vale sign Richard Duffy, Chris Neal and David Artell". BBC Sport. 6 July 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  20. ↑ "Port Vale keeper Chris Neal did not expect move". BBC Sport. 11 July 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  21. ↑ "Micky Adams backs keeper Chris Neal after Dagenham and Redbridge howler". The Sentinel. 3 October 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  22. ↑ "Keeper's jeepers robs Vale of crucial victory". The Sentinel. 3 October 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  23. ↑ "Neal says players are up for Cheltenham clash". The Sentinel. 15 December 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  24. ↑ "Neal doesn't mind making a spectacle of himself ... as long as Vale keep winning". The Sentinel. 6 November 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  25. ↑ "Post-match stats for Port Vale's FA Cup clash with Sheffield United". The Sentinel. 3 December 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
  26. ↑ "Tom Pope wins player-of-the-year award". The Sentinel. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  27. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (30 November 2013). "Adams set to stick with 'terrific' Johnson while Neal is out for at least a month.". The Sentinel. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  28. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (24 March 2014). "Goalkeeper Chris Neal set to miss rest of season". The Sentinel. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  29. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (5 May 2014). "Tom Pope named Port Vale player of the year". The Sentinel. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  30. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (9 June 2014). "Chris Neal signs new Port Vale deal". The Sentinel. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  31. ↑ "Sam Johnson says he faces huge challenge from Chris Neal". The Sentinel. 11 August 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  32. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (5 October 2014). "Why Bearded Wonder Chris Neal is star man". The Sentinel. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  33. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (1 January 2015). "Why this Valiant was Mike Baggaley's player of the month for December". The Sentinel. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  34. ↑ "Leyton Orient 3 - 1 Port Vale". 28 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  35. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (1 May 2015). "Carl Dickinson says 'Chris Neal saved my backside'". The Sentinel. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  36. ↑ Travers, Chris (26 October 2015). "Port Vale 2, Burton Albion 3: Goalkeeper Chris Neal returns to action in reserve-team defeat". The Sentinel. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  37. ↑ "Chris Neal: Doncaster Rovers sign Port Vale goalkeeper on loan". BBC Sport. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  38. ↑ "Chris Neal seeks game time after loan move". 2 February 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  39. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (20 February 2016). "Sheffield United v Port Vale TEAM NEWS: Chris Neal plays for Vale after Jak Alnwick injury". The Sentinel. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  40. ↑ "Bury: Nathan Delfouneso, Cian Bolger and Chris Neal join on loan". BBC Sport. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  41. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (22 April 2016). "Chris Neal hoping for free transfer move to Bury". The Sentinel. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  42. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (13 May 2016). "Port Vale reveal retained list as nine players are released". The Sentinel. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  43. ↑ "Fleetwood swoop for experienced keeper". Blackpool Gazette. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  44. 1 2 "Games played by Chris Neal in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  45. 1 2 3 "Games played by Chris Neal in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  46. ↑ "Games played by Chris Neal in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  47. ↑ "Games played by Chris Neal in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  48. ↑ "Games played by Chris Neal in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  49. ↑ "Games played by Chris Neal in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  50. ↑ "Games played by Chris Neal in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  51. ↑ "Games played by Chris Neal in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  52. 1 2 3 "Games played by Chris Neal in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  53. ↑ "Games played by Chris Neal in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  54. ↑ "Games played by Chris Neal in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  55. ↑ "Games played by Chris Neal in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  56. ↑ "Games played by Chris Neal in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  57. ↑ Sherwin, Phil; Johnson, Dave (2013), Port Vale This Side Up: 2012-2013 Promotion Celebration, BGL, ISBN 978-0-9926579-0-1
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