Neil MacFarlane (footballer)

Neil MacFarlane

Personal information
Full name	Neil MacFarlane
Date of birth	10 October 1977 (1977-10-10)
Place of birth	Dunoon, Scotland
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Playing position	Central defensive Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Annan Athletic
Youth career
–1999	Glasgow Amateurs u21
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1999–2000	Queen's Park	36	(0)
2000–2001	Kilmarnock	0	(0)
2000–2001	→ Queen's Park (loan)	8	(0)
2001	→ Clyde (loan)	7	(0)
2001–2002	Airdrieonians	28	(3)
2002–2006	Heart of Midlothian	73	(0)
2006	Aberdeen	6	(0)
2006–2007	Gretna	5	(0)
2007–2009	Queen of the South	61	(1)
2009–2010	Greenock Morton	16	(0)
2010	Airdrie United (trial)	1	(0)
2010-	Annan Athletic	9	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 10 March 2011. † Appearances (Goals).

Neil MacFarlane (born 10 October 1977 in Dunoon) is a Scottish professional Association footballer who position is defensive midfield. He currently plays for Annan Athletic.

Career

MacFarlane began his senior career in 1999 with Queen's Park before moving to Kilmarnock in 2000. Failing to play a first team match for Killie, MacFarlane spent most of his single season at Rugby Park on loan with a spell back at Queen's Park and then another at Clyde. Following his release in 2001, MacFarlane joined Airdrieonians, where he played nearly thirty league matches before a knee injury ended his season prematurely. Despite being injured,, MacFarlane joined Hearts in July 2002, with manager Craig Levein signing the player on a part-time deal due to his injury problems. MacFarlane made his debut at the end of November. and was awarded a new, full-time deal two months later.

On transfer deadline day in August 2005, MacFarlane was on the verge of joining fellow SPL side Dundee United when the Hearts board cancelled the transfer, despite the player having already travelled to Tannadice to agree personal terms and undertake a medical. Instead, MacFarlane was allowed to leave in the following window in January, where he secured a short-term move to Aberdeen. After starting only two matches for the Dons, MacFarlane was told in late April he could leave at the end of the season and he subsequently joined Gretna a month later. After injuries restricted him to just eight appearances in his first season at Raydale Park, MacFarlane was released halfway through his two-year contract, leaving him free to join Queens of the South in June 2007.

McFarlane was a mainstay of the Queens run to the final of the 2008 Scottish Cup beating Aberdeen 4–3 in the semi final. The final was against Rangers at Hampden Park, Glasgow. As the underdogs QoS put up an excellent showing only losing by the odd goal in five. MacFarlane, a lifelong Rangers supporter described it as the biggest match of his career and typically gave a committed and hard working performance.

In June 2009, MacFarlane signed for Greenock Morton, under freedom of contract.

He was released by Morton on 31 August 2010. After his release he played in one trial match for Airdrie United but failed to earn a contract at New Broomfield.

On November 19, 2010, Neil MacFarlane joined Annan Athletic.

In August 2011, he was appointed first team coach at Falkirk

Personal

MacFarlane has worked as a golf caddy over the years, most notably carrying the bag of Craig Scott in two pro-ams. They remain friends.

Honours

Queen's Park

• Scottish Football League Third Division 1999-00 - winner

Hearts

• Scottish Cup 2005–06 - winner

Queen of the South

• Scottish Cup 2007–08 - runner up

External links

• Neil MacFarlane career stats at Soccerbase
• Neil McFarlane career stats at Soccerbase (Spelling error, Morton stats)
• Profile at londonhearts.com

See also

• Greenock Morton F.C. season 2009-10