Neill Byrne
{{Short description|Irish footballer (born 1993)}}
{{for|the Irish musician|Neil Byrne}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Neill Byrne
| image = Byrne-01.jpg
| caption = Neill Byrne, Stockport County FC
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|02|02|df=y}}
| birth_place = Portmarnock, Ireland
| height =
| position = Defender
| currentclub = Bradford City
| clubnumber = 5
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Belvedere
| youthyears2 = 2007–2011
| youthclubs2 = Nottingham Forest
| years1 = 2011
| clubs1 = Nottingham Forest
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2012–2013
| clubs2 = Rochdale
| caps2 = 3
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2012
| clubs3 = → Barrow (loan)
| caps3 = 1
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2013
| clubs4 = → Southport (loan)
| caps4 = 10
| goals4 = 2
| years5 = 2013–2015
| clubs5 = AFC Telford United
| caps5 = 78
| goals5 = 6
| years6 = 2015–2017
| clubs6 = Macclesfield Town
| caps6 = 59
| goals6 = 4
| years7 = 2017–2018
| clubs7 = Gateshead
| caps7 = 39
| goals7 = 1
| years8 = 2018–2020
| clubs8 = AFC Fylde
| caps8 = 81
| goals8 = 4
| years9 = 2020–2021
| clubs9 = FC Halifax Town
| caps9 = 40
| goals9 = 1
| years10 = 2021–2022
| clubs10 = Hartlepool United
| caps10 = 40
| goals10 = 1
| years11 = 2022–2023
| clubs11 = Tranmere Rovers
| caps11 = 13
| goals11 = 0
| years12 = 2023–2024
| clubs12 = Stockport County
| caps12 = 35
| goals12 = 1
| years13 = 2024–
| clubs13 = Bradford City
| caps13 = 27
| goals13 = 2
| nationalyears1 = 2011–2012
| nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U19
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| club-update = 15:05, 4 May 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update =
}}
Neill Byrne (born 2 February 1993) is an Irish footballer who plays as a defender for {{English football updater|BradforC}} club Bradford City.
Career
= Early career =
Byrne was born in Portmarnock, Ireland. He started his career with Irish sides Portmarnock and Belvedere before joining the Nottingham Forest Youth Academy at the age of 14.{{cite web | url=http://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/page/AcademyNews/0,,10308~2127043,00.html | publisher=Nottingham Forest FC | title=Academy Players 2010-11 Season | date=4 May 2010 | accessdate=5 March 2012 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100929185446/http://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/page/AcademyNews/0%2C%2C10308~2127043%2C00.html | archivedate=29 September 2010 }} Despite interest from other clubs, two years later he signed apprentice terms with the club until 2011. Byrne was released by Forest in December 2011 and joined Rochdale on trial, scoring in a reserve game against Manchester City.{{cite web | url=http://www.thetrentend.co.uk/news/rochdale-net-young-defender-neill-byrne/ | publisher=Trent End | title=Rochdale net young defender Neill Byrne | date=1 January 2012 | accessdate=4 April 2012 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130421113314/http://www.thetrentend.co.uk/news/rochdale-net-young-defender-neill-byrne/ | archivedate=21 April 2013 }} After impressing on trial, Byrne signed an 18-month contract with the League One club on 1 January 2012.{{cite web| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16378473| publisher=BBC Sport | title=Rochdale net young defender Neill Byrne | date=1 January 2012 |accessdate=4 April 2012}} He made his debut for the Dale on 31 March 2012, in a 3–3 draw with relegation rivals Walsall.{{cite web| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17497403| publisher=BBC Sport | title=Rochdale 3-3 Walsall | date=1 January 2012 |accessdate=4 April 2012}} In November 2012, he joined Football Conference side Barrow on a one-month loan deal.{{cite web| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20462363| publisher=BBC Sport | title=Rochdale defender Neill Byrne makes Barrow loan switch | date=23 November 2012 |accessdate=28 November 2012}}
= AFC Telford United =
He joined AFC Telford United in June 2013 after being released by Rochdale.{{Cite web|title=AFC Telford complete capture of Neill Byrne|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/afc-telford-united/2013/06/20/afc-telford-complete-capture-of-neill-byrne/|access-date=16 July 2021|website=www.shropshirestar.com|date=20 June 2013 |language=en}} On 26 April 2014, he won promotion to the Conference Premier with Telford after they clinched the Conference North title on the final game of the season.{{Cite web|title=Football (Sky Sports)|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/competitions/vanarama-national-league-north/table/2013|access-date=16 July 2021|website=SkySports|language=en}}
= Macclesfield Town =
After his impressive season with Telford, he signed for Macclesfield Town.{{Cite web|title=Macclesfield Town Season Review 2015/2016 {{!}} FTN|url=https://www.footballteamnews.com/football-results-review/macclesfield-town-england-national-league-2015-2016#:~:text=But%20he%20still%20acquired%20some%20good%20quality%20in%20the%20squad%20as%20Neill%20Byrne%20and%20Tony%20Diane%20bolstered%20the%20defence%20and%20experienced%20keeper%20Shwan%20Halal%20was%20signed%20up%20too.|access-date=16 July 2021|website=Football Team News|language=en}} During his 2 year spell, he made 59 National League appearances and 3 FA Cup appearances. He scored 4 goals in the National League and started the majority of games, helping Macclesfield to 10th in the 2015–16 season.{{Cite web|title=Football (Sky Sports)|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/competitions/vanarama-national-league/table/2015|access-date=16 July 2021|website=SkySports|language=en}} In the 2016–17 season, Macclesfield finished 9th in the National League.{{Cite web|title=Football (Sky Sports)|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/competitions/vanarama-national-league/table/2016|access-date=16 July 2021|website=SkySports|language=en}} They also reached the final of the FA Trophy in 2016–17, however they lost 3–2 against York City.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}
=Gateshead=
Byrne agreed to join Gateshead on 26 May 2017 until the end of the season.{{cite web| url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gateshead-make-double-transfer-swoop-13097739 | publisher=Chronicle Live | title=Gateshead make double transfer swoop as Neil Aspin strengthens his squad| date=26 May 2017 |accessdate=6 August 2017}} He made his debut on the opening day of the season in a 1–2 defeat against Woking,{{cite web| url=https://www.gateshead-fc.com/match-report/woking-2-1-gateshead/ | publisher=Gateshead FC | title=Woking 2-1 Gateshead FC | date=5 August 2017 |accessdate=12 August 2017}} scoring his first, and only, goal for the club three days later in a 1–0 victory over Guiseley.{{cite web| url=https://www.gateshead-fc.com/match-report/gateshead-1-0-guiseley/ | publisher=Gateshead FC | title=Gateshead FC 1-0 Guiseley | date=8 August 2017 |accessdate=12 August 2017}}
= AFC Fylde =
In May 2018, Byrne signed for AFC Fylde on a two-year deal.{{Cite news|title=AFC Fylde sign Gateshead captain Byrne|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44241091|access-date=16 July 2021}} In his first year, he played 44 games in the National League and scored 2 goals as Fylde finished fifth in the table.{{Cite web|title=Football (Sky Sports)|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/competitions/vanarama-national-league/table/2018|access-date=16 July 2021|website=SkySports|language=en}} In the play-offs, Fylde reached the final, but lost 3–0 to Salford City.{{Cite web|title=Playoff 2018/2019 National League - Schedule|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/all_matches/eng-playoff-2018-2019-national-league/|access-date=16 July 2021|website=worldfootball.net|language=en}} Byrne also managed to help Fylde reach the final of the FA Trophy, while he did start the final, he was substituted off{{Cite web|title=Ex-Liverpool man helps his National League side to FA Trophy glory|url=https://tribuna.com/en/news/liverpoolfc-2020-03-06-exliverpool-man-helps-his-national-league-side-to-fa-trophy-glory/|access-date=16 July 2021|website=Tribuna.com}} due to a head injury. Fylde won 1–0 against Leyton Orient.
In Byrne's second season for Fylde, he played 37 games in the National League and scored 2 goals. Unfortunately, his contributions were not enough, as Fylde were relegated after finishing in 23rd.{{Cite web|title=Football (Sky Sports)|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/competitions/vanarama-national-league/table/2019|access-date=16 July 2021|website=SkySports|language=en}} Fylde managed to reach the third round of the FA Cup, before losing 2–1 to, then, Premier League side, Sheffield United.{{Cite news|title=Blades beat AFC Fylde in FA Cup|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50976180|access-date=16 July 2021}}
=FC Halifax Town=
On 23 September 2020, Byrne signed for National League side FC Halifax Town.{{cite news|title=National League News - September 2020 (23 September)|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53991166#:~:text=Halifax%20Town%20have%20signed%2027-year-old%20defender%20Neill%20Byrne%20after%20his%20departure%20from%20AFC%20Fylde.|accessdate=25 September 2020}} In Byrne's first, and only, year at Halifax, he played 40 games and scored 1 goal in the National League. Halifax finished the season in tenth position.{{Cite web|title=2020-2021 National League Table|url=https://thefishy.co.uk/leaguetable.php?table=5|access-date=16 July 2021|website=thefishy.co.uk}}
=Hartlepool United=
On 16 July 2021, Byrne signed for Hartlepool United for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news|url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/pools-sign-neill-byrne/ |title=Pools Sign Neill Byrne |publisher=Hartlepool United FC |accessdate=16 July 2021}} Byrne made his Hartlepool debut in a 1–0 victory against Crawley Town.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58036215 |title=Hartlepool United 1–0 Crawley Town |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 August 2021 |access-date=8 August 2021}} In 2021–22, Byrne played 51 times for Hartlepool, scoring once.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62000713 |title=Neill Byrne: Tranmere Rovers sign defender from Hartlepool United |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 July 2022 |access-date=1 July 2022}}
=Tranmere Rovers=
In July 2022, Byrne signed for League Two club Tranmere Rovers for an undisclosed fee.
=Stockport County=
On 6 January 2023, Byrne signed for League Two rivals Stockport County for an undisclosed fee on a deal until the end of the season. The move would see Byrne play under manager Dave Challinor for a third time having also worked with him at AFC Fylde and Hartlepool United.{{cite web|url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/welcome-to-county-neill-byrne/|title=Welcome to County, Neill Byrne!|website=www.stockportcounty.com|date=6 January 2023|accessdate=6 January 2023}} He was a member of the Stockport side that won the League Two title in 2023–24, making 22 appearances throughout the season.
=Bradford City=
On 20 May 2024, Byrne signed for League Two club Bradford City on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cw99ldl21ego|title=Neill Byrne: Bradford City sign Stockport County defender|date=20 May 2024|website=BBC Sport}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 3 May 2025}} {{soccerway|neil-byrne/212236|accessdate=4 June 2019}}
| 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="3"|Rochdale
|3 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2012–13
|0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| Barrow (loan)
|1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
| Southport (loan)
|Conference Premier |10 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | |||
| rowspan="3"|AFC Telford United
|40 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2Appearances in FA Trophy | 0 | 42 | 2 | ||
| 2014–15
|Conference Premier |38 | 4 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | 43 | 4 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!78 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 85 | 6 | |
| rowspan="3"|Macclesfield Town
|27 | 2 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 1 | 32 | 3 | ||
| 2016–17
|National League |32 | 2 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 9 | 0 | 44 | 2 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!60 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 76 | 5 | |
| Gateshead
|National League |39 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 41 | 1 | ||
| rowspan="3"|AFC Fylde
|National League |44 | 2 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 3 | 0 | 47 | 2 | |||
| 2019–20
|National League |37 | 2 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 1 | 44 | 3 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!81 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 91 | 5 | |
| Halifax Town
|National League |40 | 1 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 2 | 0 | 42 | 1 | |||
| Hartlepool United
|League Two |40 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 51 | 1 | |
| Tranmere Rovers
|League Two |13 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 19 | 2 | |
| rowspan="3"|Stockport County
|League Two |19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 21 | 0 | |
| 2023–24
|League Two |16 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 22 | 2 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!35 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 43 | 2 | |
| Bradford City
|League Two |27 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 34 | 2 | |
| colspan="3" |Career total
!427 | 22 | 23 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 43 | 3 | 497 | 27 |
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honours
Macclesfield Town
- FA Trophy runner-up: 2016–17{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39994737 |title=York beat Macclesfield to win FA Trophy |website=BBC Sport |date=21 May 2017 |access-date=13 February 2023}}
AFC Fylde
- FA Trophy: 2018–19{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48314552 |title=AFC Fylde 1–0 Leyton Orient |first=Rob |last=Stevens |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2019 |accessdate=26 May 2019}}
Stockport County
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
- {{UEFA player}}
{{Bradford City A.F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Byrne, Neill}}
Category:People from Portmarnock
Category:Association footballers from Fingal
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Nottingham Forest F.C. players
Category:Rochdale A.F.C. players
Category:Barrow A.F.C. players
Category:AFC Telford United players
Category:Macclesfield Town F.C. players
Category:Gateshead F.C. players
Category:FC Halifax Town players
Category:Hartlepool United F.C. players
Category:Tranmere Rovers F.C. players
Category:Stockport County F.C. players
Category:Bradford City A.F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players