Ian McNeill

For those of a similar name, see Ian MacNeil (disambiguation).

Ian McNeill

Personal information
Full name	John McKeand McNeill
Date of birth	(1932-02-24) 24 February 1932
Place of birth	Glasgow, Scotland
Position(s)	Inside forward
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1950–1956	Aberdeen	7	(1)
1956–1959	Leicester City	72	(26)
1959–1962	Brighton & Hove Albion	116	(12)
1962–1964	Southend United	41	(3)
Managerial career
1968–1970	Wigan Athletic
1976–1981	Wigan Athletic
1987–1990	Shrewsbury Town
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Ian McNeill (born 24 February 1932) is a former professional footballer and manager.

Playing at inside forward, McNeill's career included stints at Aberdeen, Leicester City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Southend United. Upon retiring, McNeill moved into management, taking charge of Wigan Athletic between 1968 and 1970. He returned to the club for a second spell six years later, leaving in 1981 to become assistant manager to John Neal at Chelsea.

While at Chelsea, McNeill was instrumental in signing players like Pat Nevin, Joe McLaughlin, David Speedie and Kerry Dixon, players who would drastically turn around the club's fortunes and win promotion in 1983–84. When Neal was sidelined with ill-health during the 1984–85 season, McNeill also took temporary charge of first team affairs.

He returned to management in 1987, this time with Shrewsbury Town and remained until 1990. He has since been a scout for Bolton Wanderers, Leeds United, Norwich City and Chelsea.

References

• IAN McNEILL, Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database

After leaving Southend United in 1964, McNeil joined Ross County FC, then a Scottish Highland Football League club as player/manager prior to joining Wigan Athletic, then a Northern Premier League club, four years later in 1968 as manager. Following Wigan Athletic, McNeill became manager of Salisbury FC in the Southern League, before returning for a second spell at Wigan Athletic, and taking Wigan into the Football League.