Chris Neal
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{for|the Darlington winger|Chris Neal (footballer, born 1947)}}
{{Similar names}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Chris Neal
| image = Chris Neal.png
| image_size = 180px
| caption = Neal with Port Vale in 2013
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|10|23|df=y}}{{cite web |title=FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2015/2016 |url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2015-2016/fltwo/portv.htm |website=footballsquads.co.uk |access-date=1 February 2021 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
| birth_place = St Albans, England
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}}{{cite web|title=Salford City sign goalkeeper Chris Neal|url=https://salfordcityfc.co.uk/salford-city-sign-goalkeeper-chris-neal/|website=Salford City Football Club|accessdate=18 May 2018|date=17 May 2018}}
| position = Goalkeeper
| currentclub = AFC Fylde (joint interim head coach)
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = |youthclubs1 =
| years1 = 2004–2009| clubs1 = Preston North End | caps1 = 1| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2005 | clubs2 = → Tamworth (loan) | caps2 = 5| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2006 | clubs3 = → Shrewsbury Town (loan) | caps3 = 0| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2007 | clubs4 = → Morecambe (loan) | caps4 = 0| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2009–2012| clubs5 = Shrewsbury Town | caps5 = 64| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2012–2016| clubs6 = Port Vale | caps6 = 123| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2016 | clubs7 = → Doncaster Rovers (loan)| caps7 = 2| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2016 | clubs8 = → Bury (loan) | caps8 = 10| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2016–2018| clubs9 = Fleetwood Town | caps9 = 25| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2018–2020| clubs10= Salford City | caps10= 61| goals10= 0
| years11 = 2020–2025| clubs11= AFC Fylde | caps11= 91| goals11= 0
| totalcaps = 379 | totalgoals = 0
| manageryears1 = 2024 | managerclubs1 = AFC Fylde (joint-caretaker)
| manageryears2 = 2025– | managerclubs2 = AFC Fylde (joint-interim)
}}
Christopher Michael Neal (born 23 October 1985) is an English former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper and is now joint-interim manager at {{English football updater|AFCFylde}} club AFC Fylde.
Neal began his career at Preston North End, making his English 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 before joining Salford City in May 2018. He dropped down to the National League North to sign with AFC Fylde in August 2020 and helped the club to the league title at the end of the 2022–23 season.
He began coaching at AFC Fylde in July 2024 and became joint-caretaker manager two months later.
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.{{cite news|title=Neal extends Tamworth loan spell|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tamworth/4244913.stm|accessdate=13 July 2012|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=7 February 2005}} He went on loan to Conference National club Tamworth in January 2005.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tamworth/4155523.stm|title=Keeper Neal in Tamworth loan move |date=7 January 2005|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=8 March 2011}} He made his debut for the "Lambs" on 8 January, in a 4–3 defeat to Aldershot Town at the Recreation Ground.{{cite news|title=Aldershot 4-3 Tamworth|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/4139511.stm|accessdate=13 July 2012|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=8 January 2005}} 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.{{cite news|title=Tamworth 1-0 Accrington|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/4175483.stm|accessdate=13 July 2012|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=22 January 2005}} He played a total of six games for Mark Cooper's team, 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.{{cite news|title=Preston vs Ipswich Town|url=http://www.pnefc.net/page/MatchReport/0,,10362~27565,00.html|accessdate=13 July 2012|newspaper=pnefc.net|date=18 February 2005}}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} At the end of the season Chester City and Tamworth attempted to sign him on loan,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chester/4653525.stm|title=Chester move in for keeper Neal |date=5 July 2005|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=8 March 2011}}{{cite news|title=Tamworth net veteran goalkeeper|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tamworth/4111904.stm|accessdate=13 July 2012|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=20 June 2005}} but both clubs were unsuccessful. He was linked to a move to Oldham Athletic in July 2006,{{cite news|title=Preston keeper has Oldham spell|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/o/oldham_athletic/5190716.stm|accessdate=13 July 2012|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=18 July 2006}} 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 club Shrewsbury Town, providing cover for Chris Mackenzie after an injury to Ryan Esson.{{cite news|title=Preston keeper leaves after loan|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/shrewsbury/5359946.stm|accessdate=13 July 2012|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=25 October 2006}} Neal appeared on the Shrewsbury bench for six league matches but did not make it onto the pitch at Gay Meadow. However, 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 2007 Conference National play-off final at Wembley.{{cite news|title=Morecambe bring in keeper on loan|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/morecambe/6654503.stm|accessdate=13 July 2012|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=14 May 2007}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/6649837.stm |title=Exeter 1–2 Morecambe |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 May 2007 |accessdate=11 May 2019}} 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.{{cite news|title=Preston goalkeeper leaves on loan|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/preston/7049021.stm|accessdate=13 July 2012|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=17 October 2007}}
=Shrewsbury Town=
In July 2009, Neal moved permanently from Preston, rejoining Paul Simpson's Shrewsbury Town for a nominal fee.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/shrewsbury/8130990.stm|title=Keeper Neal signs for Shrewsbury |date=2 July 2009|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=8 March 2011}} He started the first four games of the 2009–10 season, but lost his place to loanee David Button due to a groin injury,{{cite news|title=Neal ready for Shrewsbury return|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/shrewsbury/8337578.stm|accessdate=13 July 2012|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=2 November 2009}} 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,{{cite news|title=Chris Neal strives to be first choice for Shrewsbury|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/shrewsbury/9005027.stm|accessdate=13 July 2012|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=16 September 2010}} 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.{{cite news|title=Ben Smith surprised by Shrewsbury Town start|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/shrewsbury/9367903.stm|accessdate=13 July 2012|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=20 January 2011}} 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.{{cite news|title=Shrewsbury Town keeper Chris Neal has double dream|url=http://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/shrewsbury-town-fc/2012/04/25/shrewsbury-town-keeper-chris-neal-has-double-dream/|accessdate=13 July 2012|newspaper=Shropshire Star|date=25 April 2005}}
=Port Vale=
He failed to agree fresh terms with Shrewsbury, having only been offered a one-year deal,{{cite news|title=Fate decrees that Neil is gearing up for League Two promotion challenge again|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Fate-decrees-Neil-gearing-League/story-16497174-detail/story.html|accessdate=13 July 2012|newspaper=The Sentinel|date=7 July 2012}} 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.{{cite news|title=Port Vale sign Richard Duffy, Chris Neal and David Artell|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18737694|accessdate=12 July 2012|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=6 July 2012}} 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".{{cite news|title=Port Vale keeper Chris Neal did not expect move|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18799615|accessdate=12 July 2012|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=11 July 2012}} 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.{{cite news|title=Micky Adams backs keeper Chris Neal after Dagenham and Redbridge howler|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Micky-Adams-backs-keeper-Chris-Neal/story-17026403-detail/story.html|accessdate=3 October 2012|newspaper=The Sentinel|date=3 October 2012}} However, three days later he dropped a "clanger" at Vale Park as a weak {{convert|25|yd}} 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.{{cite news|title=Keeper's jeepers robs Vale of crucial victory|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Vale-target-Dickinson-season/story-17026408-detail/story.html|accessdate=3 October 2012|newspaper=The Sentinel|date=3 October 2012}} 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{{cite news|title=Neal says players are up for Cheltenham clash|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Neal-says-players-Cheltenham-clash/story-17594490-detail/story.html|accessdate=15 December 2012|newspaper=The Sentinel|date=15 December 2012}}).{{cite news|title=Neal doesn't mind making a spectacle of himself ... as long as Vale keep winning|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Neal-doesn-t-mind-making-spectacle-long/story-17246173-detail/story.html|accessdate=6 November 2012|newspaper=The Sentinel|date=6 November 2012}} 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.{{cite news|title=Post-match stats for Port Vale's FA Cup clash with Sheffield United|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Post-match-stats-Port-Vale-s-FA-Cup/story-17485467-detail/story.html|accessdate=3 December 2012|newspaper=The Sentinel|date=3 December 2012}} 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.{{cite news|title=Tom Pope wins player-of-the-year award|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Tom-Pope-wins-player-year-award/story-18830131-detail/story.html#axzz2R69ywP7J|accessdate=29 April 2013|newspaper=The Sentinel|date=29 April 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518055415/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Tom-Pope-wins-player-year-award/story-18830131-detail/story.html#axzz2R69ywP7J|archivedate=18 May 2013}}
Neal made a strong start to the 2013–14 season before injuring his wrist at the end of November.{{cite news|last=Baggaley|first=Mike|title=Adams set to stick with 'terrific' Johnson while Neal is out for at least a month.|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Adams-set-stick-terrific-Johnson-Neal-month/story-20244863-detail/story.html|accessdate=1 December 2013|newspaper=The Sentinel|date=30 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203080023/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Adams-set-stick-terrific-Johnson-Neal-month/story-20244863-detail/story.html|archive-date=3 December 2013|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite news|last=Baggaley|first=Mike|title=Goalkeeper Chris Neal set to miss rest of season|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Goalkeeper-Chris-Neal-set-miss-rest/story-20846052-detail/story.html|accessdate=24 March 2014|newspaper=The Sentinel|date=24 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324202859/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Goalkeeper-Chris-Neal-set-miss-rest/story-20846052-detail/story.html|archive-date=24 March 2014|url-status=dead}} 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,{{cite news|last=Baggaley|first=Mike|title=Tom Pope named Port Vale player of the year|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Tom-Pope-named-Port-Vale-player-year/story-21056123-detail/story.html|accessdate=5 May 2014|newspaper=The Sentinel|date=5 May 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505201838/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Tom-Pope-named-Port-Vale-player-year/story-21056123-detail/story.html|archivedate=5 May 2014}} and signed a new two-year contract in the summer.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Chris Neal signs new Port Vale deal|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Chris-Neal-signs-new-Port-Vale-deal/story-21208013-detail/story.html|accessdate=9 June 2014|work=The Sentinel|date=9 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715041931/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Chris-Neal-signs-new-Port-Vale-deal/story-21208013-detail/story.html|archive-date=15 July 2014|url-status=dead}}
Neal started the 2014–15 season on the bench, as Johnson was selected for the season opener.{{cite news|title=Sam Johnson says he faces huge challenge from Chris Neal|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Sam-Johnson-says-faces-huge-challenge/story-22300877-detail/story.html|accessdate=12 August 2014|work=The Sentinel|date=11 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814223432/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Sam-Johnson-says-faces-huge-challenge/story-22300877-detail/story.html|archive-date=14 August 2014|url-status=dead}} After returning to the starting line-up in September he won praise for his performances.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Why Bearded Wonder Chris Neal is star man|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Fleetwood-1-0-Port-Vale-Bearded-Wonder-man-match/story-23044690-detail/story.html|accessdate=5 October 2014|work=The Sentinel|date=5 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006061138/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Fleetwood-1-0-Port-Vale-Bearded-Wonder-man-match/story-23044690-detail/story.html|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=dead}} He again earned praise in December for a series of consistent performances and impressive saves in close games.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Why this Valiant was Mike Baggaley's player of the month for December|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-player-Mike-Baggaley-s-player-month/story-25793299-detail/story.html|accessdate=2 January 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=1 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102123645/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-player-Mike-Baggaley-s-player-month/story-25793299-detail/story.html|archive-date=2 January 2015|url-status=dead}} He remain the first choice goalkeeper until he was suspending after being sent off in a 3–1 defeat at Leyton Orient.{{cite news|title=Leyton Orient 3 - 1 Port Vale|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31996709|accessdate=28 March 2015|date=28 March 2015}} He returned to the first-team following his suspension. He was one of the most consistent performers of the season.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Carl Dickinson says 'Chris Neal saved my backside'|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Carl-Dickinson-says-Chris-Neal-saved/story-26425875-detail/story.html|accessdate=18 May 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=1 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520154050/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Carl-Dickinson-says-Chris-Neal-saved/story-26425875-detail/story.html|archive-date=20 May 2015|url-status=dead}}
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.{{cite news|last1=Travers|first1=Chris|title=Port Vale 2, Burton Albion 3: Goalkeeper Chris Neal returns to action in reserve-team defeat|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-2-Burton-Albion-3-Goalkeeper-Chris-Neal/story-28056898-detail/story.html|accessdate=27 October 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=26 October 2015}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} 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.{{cite news|title=Chris Neal: Doncaster Rovers sign Port Vale goalkeeper on loan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35460891|accessdate=1 February 2016|work=BBC Sport|date=1 February 2016}} Neal stated that he joined "Donny" to play first-team football.{{cite news|title=Chris Neal seeks game time after loan move|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35471051|accessdate=2 February 2016|date=2 February 2016}} He played two games at Keepmoat Stadium before Port Vale ended his loan spell on 20 February as injury to Jak Alnwick restored Neal to the Vale first-team.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Sheffield United v Port Vale TEAM NEWS: Chris Neal plays for Vale after Jak Alnwick injury|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Sheffield-United-v-Port-Vale/story-28774614-detail/story.html|accessdate=20 February 2016|work=The Sentinel|date=20 February 2016}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He retained his first-team place at Vale until on 18 March, when he joined Bury on loan until the end of the season.{{cite news|title=Bury: Nathan Delfouneso, Cian Bolger and Chris Neal join on loan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35847220|accessdate=18 March 2016|work=BBC Sport|date=18 March 2016}} 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.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Chris Neal hoping for free transfer move to Bury|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Chris-Neal-hoping-free-transfer-Bury/story-29157630-detail/story.html|accessdate=22 April 2016|work=The Sentinel|date=22 April 2016}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Port Vale released him upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Port Vale reveal retained list as nine players are released|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-reveal-retained-list-players-released/story-29268714-detail/story.html|accessdate=13 May 2016|work=The Sentinel|date=13 May 2016}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In December 2019, local newspaper The Sentinel ran a poll of fans to debate Port Vale's best goalkeeper of the 2010s; Neal finished in second place with 30% of the vote, behind Scott Brown (44%) and ahead of Jak Alnwick (26%).{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Results revealed as Port Vale fans select keeper of the decade |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/results-revealed-port-vale-fans-3675675 |accessdate=24 December 2019 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=23 December 2019}}
=Fleetwood Town=
Neal signed a two-year contract with League One club Fleetwood Town in May 2016, and joined the club shortly after the departure of Chris Maxwell.{{cite news|title=Fleetwood swoop for experienced keeper|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/fleetwood-town-fc/fleetwood-swoop-for-experienced-keeper-1-7930888|accessdate=25 May 2016|work=Blackpool Gazette|date=25 May 2016}} He was named in the EFL Team of the Week after keeping a second-successive clean sheet in a 2–0 win over Coventry City on 3 September.{{cite news |last1=Hannah |first1=Alex |title=Sky Bet EFL: Team of the Week |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2016/september/sky-bet-efl-team-of-the-week/ |accessdate=9 October 2019 |work=efl.com |date=5 September 2016 |language=en-gb}} However, he lost his first-team place to Alex Cairns in November; manager Uwe Rösler admitted that the situation was a "little bit harsh on Chris Neal because Chris Neal did nothing wrong" and it was Cairns's strong form that made him undroppable.{{cite news|title=Cairns' rise coincides with mass unbeaten run|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/fleetwood-town-fc/cairns-rise-coincides-with-mass-unbeaten-run-1-8394187|accessdate=14 May 2017|work=Blackpool Gazette|date=17 February 2017|language=en}} On 6 January 2018, he kept a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw with Leicester City in the Third Round of the FA Cup, and was rewarded with a year's supply of pizza from sponsors Papa John's Pizza.{{cite news|last1=Burton|first1=Chris|title=FA Cup heroics deliver Fleetwood star Chris Neal free pizzas for a year! {{!}} Goal.com|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/fa-cup-heroics-deliver-fleetwood-star-neal-free-pizzas-for-a/13hxc4n9s2oj41bd6a0phqclrr|accessdate=7 January 2018|work=goal.com|date=7 January 2018|language=en}} He was released by manager John Sheridan upon the expiry of his contract at Highbury Stadium at the end of the 2017–18 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44040875|title=Fleetwood: George Glendon, Chris Neal and Ricardo Kip released|date=8 May 2018|accessdate=9 May 2018|work=BBC Sport}}
=Salford City=
On 17 May 2018, Neal signed a two-year contract with newly promoted National League club Salford City.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Michael|title=Former Port Vale keeper Chris Neal joins Salford City|url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/chris-neal-salford-port-vale-1580584|accessdate=18 May 2018|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=17 May 2018}} He was a former teammate of "Ammies" manager Graham Alexander as Preston.{{cite news |title="I'll throw myself into it!" says Alexander |url=https://salfordcityfc.co.uk/ill-throw-myself-into-it-graham-alexander/ |accessdate=17 May 2019 |work=Salford City Football Club |date=25 May 2018}} He made his debut in the opening match of the 2018–19 season as Salford recorded a 1–1 draw with Leyton Orient at Moor Lane on 4 August.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44989672 |title=Salford City 1–1 Leyton Orient |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 August 2018 |accessdate=4 August 2018}} He made a total of 51 appearances throughout the campaign as Salford qualified for the play-off semi-finals with a third-place finish, and he saved two penalties in the shoot-out following a 1–1 draw with Eastleigh to secure a place in the final.{{cite news |title=Salford City 1-1 Eastleigh (Salford win 4-3 on penalties) |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48123408 |accessdate=17 May 2019 |work=BBC Sport |date=5 May 2019}} A 3–0 victory over AFC Fylde in the final won Salford a place in the English Football League for the first time.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48158693 |title=AFC Fylde 0–3 Salford City |first=Josef |last=Rindl |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 May 2019 |accessdate=11 May 2019}} He shared the first-team goalkeeping spot with new signing Kyle Letheren during the 2019–20 season, though both players were released at the end of the campaign.{{Soccerbase season|id=44247|season=2019|accessdate=5 March 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Two Port Vale players of the year among 11 released by Salford |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/two-port-vale-players-year-4140376 |accessdate=17 May 2020 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=17 May 2020}}
=AFC Fylde=
On 15 August 2020, Neal signed with National League North club AFC Fylde; he said that after speaking with manager Jim Bentley that "what happened last year with relegation we are hoping was just a blip, for some reason it was a bit of an off-season but hopefully we can rectify that this season".{{cite news |title=Chris Neal Joins The Coasters! |url=https://www.afcfylde.co.uk/chris-neal-joins-the-coasters/ |accessdate=15 August 2020 |work=AFC Fylde |date=15 August 2020}} He made 17 appearances before the 2020–21 season was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England.{{cite news|url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/national-league-statement-outcome-of-written-resol-65151|title=National League Statement {{!}} Outcome Of Written Resolutions|last=Osborn|first=Oliver|website=Vanarama National League|date=18 February 2021|access-date=18 February 2021}} Fylde exercised an option to extend his contract beyond the summer.{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Andy |title=Captain Nathan Pond among six to leave AFC Fylde as retained list is confirmed |url=https://www.lythamstannesexpress.co.uk/sport/football/captain-nathan-pond-among-six-to-leave-afc-fylde-as-retained-list-is-confirmed-3236079 |access-date=13 May 2021 |work=www.lythamstannesexpress.co.uk |date=13 May 2021 |language=en}} He played 29 games in the 2021–22 season, missing November through February due to family reasons.{{cite news |title=Club Update {{!}} Chris Neal |url=https://www.afcfylde.co.uk/club-update-chris-neal/ |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=AFC Fylde |date=11 May 2022}} Manager James Rowe described him as an "outstanding individual".{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Andy |title=James Rowe: Fylde team selection so tough ahead of intense play-off semi-final with Boston United |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/james-rowe-fylde-team-selection-so-tough-ahead-of-intense-play-off-semi-final-with-boston-united-3694144 |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=Blackpool Gazette |date=14 May 2022 |language=en}} Fylde were beaten 2–0 by Boston United in the play-off semi-finals at Mill Farm.{{cite news |last1=Singleton |first1=Craig |title=AFC Fylde 0-2 Boston United |url=https://www.bostonunited.co.uk/teams/24809/match-centre/0-5324220/report |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=www.bostonunited.co.uk |language=en}} Neal signed a new one-year contract in May 2022.{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Andy |title=Chris Neal and Luke Conlan sign new AFC Fylde contracts |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/chris-neal-and-luke-conlan-sign-new-afc-fylde-contracts-3703188 |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=Blackpool Gazette |date=20 May 2022 |language=en}} He was an ever-present throughout the 2022–23 campaign as manager Adam Murray led Fylde to promotion as champions of the National League North. He then became the back-up goalkeeper to new signing Theo Richardson and departed the club at the end of the 2023–24 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.afcfylde.co.uk/2024-2025-retained-list/|title=2024/2025 Retained List|website=www.afcfylde.co.uk|date=25 April 2024|accessdate=26 April 2024}}
Coaching career
Neal returned to his former club AFC Fylde as a goalkeeping coach in July 2024.{{cite news |last1=Reardon |first1=Ben |title=Chris Neal appointed as first-team goalkeeper coach! |url=https://www.afcfylde.co.uk/chris-neal-appointed-as-first-team-goalkeeper-coach/ |access-date=18 July 2024 |work=AFC Fylde |date=16 July 2024}} Following the sacking of Chris Beech in September 2024, Neal was appointed joint-caretaker manager, alongside Nathan Delfouneso.{{cite news |last1=Knowles |first1=Josh |title=Chris Beech leaves AFC Fylde |url=https://www.afcfylde.co.uk/chris-beech-leaves-afc-fylde/ |access-date=16 September 2024 |work=AFC Fylde |date=15 September 2024}} Kevin Phillips was appointed as the club's new manager on 8 October.{{cite news |last1=Knowles |first1=Josh |title=Kevin Phillips Appointed New Head Coach |url=https://www.afcfylde.co.uk/kevin-phillips-appointed-new-head-coach/ |access-date=16 October 2024 |work=AFC Fylde |date=8 October 2024}} On 25 February 2025, following Phillips' departure, Neal was appointed joint-interim manager, alongside David Longwell, until the end of the 2024–25 season.{{cite web|url=https://afcfylde.co.uk/david-longwell-chris-neal-to-take-charge-until-end-of-the-season/|title=David Longwell & Chris Neal to Take Charge Until End of the Season|website=afcfylde.co.uk|date=25 February 2025|accessdate=27 February 2025}} Fylde were relegated on 18 April.{{cite news |title=Fylde 0-1 Halifax Town: Match report |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c5ygk1kkjdkt |access-date=15 May 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=18 April 2025}}
Personal life
His partner, Emma, gave birth to a baby boy, Zachary Christopher Neal, on 5 December 2021, at Arrowe Park Hospital; Zach was born prematurely and placed in intensive care and died on 15 April 2022. Neal raised money for the hospital later in the year.{{cite news |last1=Durkin |first1=Tony |title=AFC Fylde goalkeeper launches charity appeal after baby son dies aged just four months |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/people/afc-fylde-keeper-chris-neal-aiming-to-raise-funds-for-three-good-causes-in-memory-of-his-baby-son-who-died-at-just-four-months-3692942 |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=Blackpool Gazette |date=14 May 2022 |language=en}}
Career statistics
=Playing statistics=
{{updated|match played 28 January 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="6"|Preston North End
|2004–05{{Soccerbase season|id=40510|season=2004|accessdate=1 January 2017}} |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2005–06{{Soccerbase season|id=40510|season=2005|accessdate=1 January 2017}}
|Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2006–07{{Soccerbase season|id=40510|season=2006|accessdate=1 January 2017}}
|Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2007–08{{Soccerbase season|id=40510|season=2007|accessdate=1 January 2017}}
|Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2008–09{{Soccerbase season|id=40510|season=2008|accessdate=1 January 2017}}
|Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Tamworth (loan)
|5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1{{efn|name=fat|Appearances in the FA Trophy}} | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||
| Shrewsbury Town (loan)
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=flt|Appearances in the Football League Trophy}} | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Morecambe (loan)
|Conference National |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="4"|Shrewsbury Town
|2009–10{{Soccerbase season|id=40510|season=2009|accessdate=1 January 2017}} |League Two |7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=flt}} | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2010–11{{Soccerbase season|id=40510|season=2010|accessdate=1 January 2017}}
|League Two |22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=flt}} | 0 | 25 | 0 | |
| 2011–12{{Soccerbase season|id=40510|season=2011|accessdate=1 January 2017}}
|League Two |35 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=flt}} | 0 | 39 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!64 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 74 | 0 | |
| rowspan="5"|Port Vale
|2012–13{{Soccerbase season|id=40510|season=2012|accessdate=1 January 2017}} |League Two |46 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=flt}} | 0 | 51 | 0 | |
| 2013–14{{Soccerbase season|id=40510|season=2013|accessdate=1 January 2017}}
|31 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=flt}} | 0 | 38 | 0 | |
| 2014–15{{Soccerbase season|id=40510|season=2014|accessdate=1 January 2017}}
|League One |40 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=flt}} | 0 | 43 | 0 | |
| 2015–16{{Soccerbase season|id=40510|season=2015|accessdate=1 January 2017}}
|League One |6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!128 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 143 | 0 | |
| Doncaster Rovers (loan)
|League One |2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Bury (loan)
|League One |10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| rowspan="3"|Fleetwood Town
|2016–17{{Soccerbase season|id=40510|season=2016|accessdate=1 January 2017}} |League One |17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=eft|Appearances in the EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 21 | 0 | |
| 2017–18{{Soccerbase season|id=40510|season=2017|accessdate=1 January 2017}}
|League One |8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4{{efn|name=eft}} | 0 | 15 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!25 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 36 | 0 | |
| rowspan="3"|Salford City
|2018–19{{Soccerway|chris-neal/15628}} |National League |46 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 2{{efn|name=nlp|Appearances in the National League play-offs}} | 0 | 51 | 0 | ||
| 2019–20{{Soccerbase season|id=40510|season=2019|accessdate=5 March 2020}}
|League Two |15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=eft}} | 0 | 21 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!61 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 72 | 0 | |
| rowspan="6"|AFC Fylde
|15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | ||
| 2021–22
|National League North |29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | 29 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23
|National League North |46 | 0 | 4 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 2{{efn|name=fat}} | 0 | 52 | 0 | ||
| 2023–24
|National League |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 2{{efn|name=fat}} | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2024–25
|National League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!93 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 101 | 0 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!379 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 441 | 0 |
{{notelist}}
=Managerial statistics=
{{updated|match played 5 October 2024}}
| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure | ||||
| rowspan=2|Team
!rowspan=2|From !rowspan=2|To !colspan=5|Record !rowspan=2|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{abbr|P|Matches played}} | {{abbr|W|Matches won}} | {{abbr|D|Matches drawn}} | {{abbr|L|Matches lost}} | {{abbr|Win %|Win percentage}} |
| align=left|AFC Fylde (caretaker)
|align=left|15 September 2024 |align=left|8 October 2024 {{WDL|5|2|1|2|decimals=1}} | | ||||
| align=left|AFC Fylde (interim)
|align=left|25 February 2025 |align=left|present {{WDL|0|0|0|0|decimals=1}} | | ||||
| colspan=3|Total
{{WDLtot|5|2|1|2|decimals=1}} ! |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Morecambe
- Conference National play-offs: 2007
Shrewsbury Town
- Football League Two second-place promotion: 2011–12{{cite book |editor1-first=Glenda |editor1-last=Rollin |editor2-first=Jack |editor2-last=Rollin |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 |year=2012 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-0-7553-6356-8 |pages=37, 342–343}}
Port Vale
- Football League Two third-place promotion: 2012–13{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2013–2014 |year=2013 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-0-7553-6413-8 |pages=282–283}}
Salford City
- National League play-offs: 2019
AFC Fylde
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Neal, Chris}}
Category:Footballers from St Albans
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:Preston North End F.C. players
Category:Tamworth F.C. players
Category:Shrewsbury Town F.C. players
Category:Morecambe F.C. players
Category:Port Vale F.C. players
Category:Doncaster Rovers F.C. players
Category:Fleetwood Town F.C. players
Category:Salford City F.C. players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:English Football League players
Category:AFC Fylde non-playing staff
Category:English football managers