Neil MacFarlane (footballer)

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Neil MacFarlane
Neil MacFarlane outside Palmerston Park, Dumfries
Personal information
Full name Neil MacFarlane
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Queen of the South

Neil MacFarlane (born 10 October 1977 in Dunoon) is a Scottish professional footballer currently playing for Scottish First Division club Queen of the South. He is a defensive central midfielder. He is often confused with The Northern Echo reporter, Neil Macfarlane.

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.[1] MacFarlane made his debut at the end of November[2] and was awarded a new, full-time deal two months later.[3]

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.[4] Instead, MacFarlane was allowed to leave in the following window in January, where he secured a short-term move to Aberdeen.[5] After starting only two matches for the Dons, MacFarlane was told in late April he could leave at the end of the season[6] and he subsequently joined Gretna a month later.[7] After injuries restricted him to just eight appearances in his first season at Raydale Park, MacFarlane was released halfway through his two-year contract,[8] leaving him free to join Queens of the South in June 2007.[9]

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.[10] 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.

References

  1. ^ "MacFarlane hobbles to Hearts". BBC Sport website. 2002-07-04. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  2. ^ "Hearts go for Oueifio". BBC Sport website. 2002-11-23. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  3. ^ "MacFarlane wins Hearts deal". BBC Sport website. 2003-01-10. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  4. ^ "Hearts board halt MacFarlane move". BBC Sport website. 2005-09-01. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  5. ^ "MacFarlane completes Dons switch". BBC Sport website. 2006-01-26. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  6. ^ "Aberdeen duo free to leave club". BBC Sport website. 2006-04-26. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  7. ^ "Gretna grab MacFarlane and McGill". BBC Sport website. 2006-05-25. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  8. ^ "Gretna cut short MacFarlane stay". BBC Sport website. 2007-05-14. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  9. ^ "MacFarlane joins up at Palmerston". BBC Sport website. 2007-06-08. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  10. ^ "Club History" on the official Queen of the South website

External links

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