Andy Feeley

Andrew James Feeley (born 30 September 1961) is an English retired professional footballer who played in the Football League for Leicester City, Brentford, Bury and Hereford United as a right back. He later became manager of North West Counties League club Ramsbottom United and also worked as scout.

Playing career

Hereford United A right back, Feeley joined hometown club Hereford United as an apprentice and made his first team debut in a Fourth Division match versus Bournemouth on 14 October 1978, at the age of just 17 years and 14 days. He became a regular pick throughout the rest of the 1978–79 season, making 25 appearances and even captaining the club, the youngest player ever to do so. After signing a professional contract, he was again a first team regular during the 1979–80 season, making 29 appearances and scoring three goals. He enjoyed a good season with the club, which finished third and was the only club from the division to win promotion to the Alliance Premier League. Feeley averaged 28 games per season in the Alliance Premier League for struggling Trowbridge, before departing Frome Road in January 1984.

Leicester City In a surprise move, Feeley signed for First Division club Leicester City in January 1984. He had to wait until 10 March to make his debut, which came with a baptism of fire against Manchester United at Old Trafford. He made two further appearances during what remained of the 1983–84 season. Knee injuries reduced his appearance-count over the next two seasons and he departed the club in June 1987, Though never fully fit during his two years at Griffin Park, going out 4–0 to eventual winners Liverpool.

Bury Feeley joined Third Division club Bury in July 1989.

Northwich Victoria Feeley dropped back into non-League football in 1991 to sign for Conference club Northwich Victoria. He celebrated promotion to the Northern Premier League First Division as champions at the end of the 1993–94 season and remained with the club until 1996.

Highfield United Feeley had a spell with Manchester League Premier Division club Highfield United in 1996.

Seedfield Sports Feeley joined Bolton Combination club Seedfield Sports during the 1996 off-season. He scored with a 30-yard strike to send the club through to the last 16 of the Lancashire Amateur Shield.

Managerial and coaching career

Seedfield Sports While with Seedfield Sports, Feeley served as the club's assistant manager. He later returned to the football club, serving as Director of Youth, overseeing the club's Centre of Excellence and managing the club's youth and reserve teams. He oversaw the development of future international players David Nugent and Colin Kazim-Richards. He coached the U19 team to the semi-finals of the 1999–00 Youth Alliance Cup, losing 2–0 to Scunthorpe United to be denied a chance of a place in the final at Wembley Stadium. For a time Feeley served as first team coach, before being replaced by Billy Ayre in December 2000. While Ayre was receiving treatment for cancer in July 2001, Feeley again stepped into the role.

Ramsbottom United Feeley was appointed manager of North West Counties League Premier Division club Ramsbottom United in June 2008. Despite having to virtually rebuild the playing squad from scratch, he led the Rams to the top of the table early in the 2008–09 season. Feeley departed the club in February 2009.

Personal life After leaving professional football, Feeley was employed as a psychiatric nurse at Prestwich Hospital.

Career statistics