Neil Thompson

Neil is new to the After Dinner Circuit, giving an insight into his football career with a humorous and entertaining talk. Suitable for Sportsmans Dinners, Gents evenings and mixed audiences.

Neil is a Beverley born (East Yorkshire) ex footballer. He played chiefly as a left back, playing in all Divisions from the Conference through to the Premiership. Upon leaving school Neil joined Nottingham Forest as an Apprentice. Forest where European Champions at the time under the guidance of Brian Clough.

Neil's playing career spanned 24 years from 1980 to 2004, playing his last competitive game at the age of 40 years of age for Boston United. With a career playing record of 590 games and 69 goals, is a record which he is rightly proud of. Playing at Nottingham Forest, Hull City, Scarborough, Ipswich Town, Barnsley, Oldham (loan), York City, Scarborough (again) and Boston United. Neil played under a varied set of much revered managers including Brian Clough, John Duncan, Neil Warnock, John Lyall, George Burley and Danny Wilson. Promotion was gained on five occasions with two of the promotions to the Premiership through Ipswich Town and Barnsley.

When Neil's playing career was coming to an end the natural progression was to move into the coaching side of the game. He became UEFA A Licence qualified at the age of 26, and moved onto become UEFA PRO Licence qualified after his retirement. Managing and coaching at York City, Scarborough and Boston United, Neil them moved inti Youth Development as Academy Manager at Leeds United. Spending nearly eight highly successful years at Leeds United helping develop a whole group of young players who have gone onto have playing careers themselves.

Neil joined Sheffield Wednesday in February 2011 as first team coach under Gary Megson, and went on to gain promotion into the Championship in the 2011/2012 season. A change of manager saw Neil move to become Head of Coaching in the clubs Academy before becoming the clubs Under 21's manager. Neil has the unenviable honour of been involved in the heaviest Premiership defeat for Ipswich Town against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday 4th March 1995.

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