Neil Cox

Neil James Cox (born 8 October 1971) is an English former professional footballer and manager who is the assistant manager of National League club York City. A defender capable of playing at centre or right-back, he made over 500 appearances in the Football League during his career and was capped at Under-21 level by England. He began his career at Scunthorpe United as a youth player and was eventually offered a professional contract by the club, breaking into the first-team soon after. In 1991, Cox joined First Division side Aston Villa for a fee of £400,000, going on to make over 50 appearances for the side in all competitions, including playing in the club's victory over Manchester United in the 1994 Football League Cup Final, but struggled to establish himself in the first-team.

In 1994, he joined Middlesbrough, becoming the first player to break the £1 million transfer fee mark for the club. He made over 100 appearances for Middlesbrough, including playing in his second League Cup final in 1997, before moving to Bolton Wanderers in 1997 for £1.5 million. After two seasons at Bolton, Cox joined Watford. After a difficult start with the Hornets, which included being placed on the transfer list, Cox went on to captain the side and made over 200 appearances in all competitions for the club.

His final Football League club was then League One outfit Crewe Alexandra. Cox retired from professional football in 2008, going on to become a property developer in Portugal. Cox subsequently returned to the game in 2010 after being appointed manager of Leek Town. When the club had injury concerns Cox registered himself as a player with the league, making 4 appearances. Cox was in charge just one season before resigning for personal reasons. In October 2012, Cox joined Football League Two club AFC Wimbledon as assistant manager to former Watford teammate Neal Ardley. He left with Ardley on 12 November 2018. On 7 August 2020, Cox was appointed first team manager of Scunthorpe United. On 8 September 2023, he was confirmed as assistant manager of York City.

Early life Born in Scunthorpe, as a child, Cox attended Crosby Juniors School and later High Ridge Comprehensive now known as St Lawrence Academy.

Playing career Scunthorpe United Cox began his career at his hometown club, the team he supported as a child, Scunthorpe United. Cox was involved with the team from an early age, being allowed to join in pre-season training sessions with the squad at the age of just 11. He was later allowed to train with the first-team by manager Frank Barlow at the age of 13 and was allowed to travel to an away game with the senior players. He gradually progressed through the youth ranks at the club before signing his first professional deal with the club in 1990, being handed a two-year deal, along with fellow youth graduates Graham Alexander and Richard Hall. Cox later revealed that he had been offered deals by other clubs but had remained with Scunthorpe as he was " a local lad and I just wanted to play for my local team." a club record for Scunthorpe at the time, as well as the installation of 2000 new seats at Glanford Park, Cox later stated that his biggest regret over the incident was "that I never played in an FA Cup final". Defeat for the side in the final completed a disastrous end to the season for the club as they also suffered defeat in the League Cup final and were relegated from the Premier League following a three-point deduction for failing to fulfil a fixture following a flu outbreak in the squad.

Bolton Wanderers

Cox played in the 1999 Football League First Division play-off final for Bolton, where they suffered a 2–0 defeat to Watford. In 2001, Italian Gianluca Vialli was appointed manager of the club and Cox was one of a handful of first-team players left in England to train with the reserves as the squad traveled to Italy for a pre-season tour. Cox later stated that he was dropped by Vialli as outgoing manager Graham Taylor had expressed concern to him that Cox was a bad influence on the dressing room. In April 2006, with his contract ending on 30 June, Cox expressed his desire to stay at the club, stating "I'd love to stay at the club. I've enjoyed my year".

Crewe Alexandra Cox scored twice for The Railwaymen. His first goal came in a 3–1 win over Cheltenham Town on 12 September 2006. He also scored against MK Dons in the FA Cup the following season. Cox signed for Crewe in June 2006 after being released by Cardiff City.

Cox retired at the end of the 2007–08 season; the home game against Oldham Athletic was the last of his career.

Managerial career

Leek Town In October 2010 he returned to the game after being appointed as the new manager of Leek Town.

AFC Wimbledon On 10 October 2012, it was announced that Cox would reunite with former Watford and Cardiff teammate Neal Ardley, a friend of Cox's for over 20 years, Both Neal Ardley and Neil Cox left AFC Wimbledon on 12 November 2018 by mutual consent after a long stretch of defeats and poor team performances.

Scunthorpe United On 7 August 2020, Cox was confirmed as first team manager of EFL League Two side Scunthorpe United. Following a disappointing start to the 2021–22 season, Cox was sacked on 1 November 2021 with his side sat bottom of the Football League with just eleven points from the first fifteen matches.

York City On 8 September 2023, Cox was confirmed as assistant manager of York City.

Managerial statistics

Honours Aston Villa Football League Cup: 1993–94

Middlesbrough Football League First Division: 1994–95 Football League Cup runner-up: 1996–97

Individual PFA Team of the Year: 1994–95 First Division