Dick Neal, Jr.

Life and career Neal was born in Dinnington, which was then in the West Riding of Yorkshire, and attended Dinnington Senior Boys' School. He came through Wolverhampton Wanderers' nursery club, Wath Wanderers, and then joined the junior ranks at the club. He turned professional in 1951, but failed to break through to the first team. In 1954, he moved to Second Division club Lincoln City, where he played more than 100 league games. and remains the only player to represent England above youth level while at the club. Financial difficulties caused in part by falling attendances forced Lincoln to accept the substantial offer of £15,000 plus player Bert Linnecor from First Division club Birmingham City, and in April 1957 Neal moved on. He made nearly 200 appearances in all competitions for Birmingham, including 165 top-flight League matches and the 1960 Fairs Cup Final,

Neal was married to Barbara and had three children, Debbie, Richard and Tim. He died in 2013 at the age of 79. His father, Dick Neal Sr., was a professional footballer who played as a winger for Blackpool, Derby County, Southampton, Bristol City and Accrington Stanley before the Second World War.