Christopher Michael Neal was born on 23 October 1985 and is an English former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper and is joint-interim manager at National League club AFC Fylde.
21 Facts About Chris Neal
1.
2.
Chris 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.
3.
Chris Neal joined Doncaster Rovers on loan in February 2016 and then Bury the following month.
4.
Chris Neal joined Fleetwood Town on a free transfer in May 2016 before joining Salford City in May 2018.
5.
Chris Neal began coaching at AFC Fylde in July 2024 and became joint-caretaker manager two months later.
6.
Chris Neal went on loan to Conference National club Tamworth in January 2005.
7.
Chris Neal was linked to a move to Oldham Athletic in July 2006, but again no move materialized.
8.
Chris Neal appeared on the Shrewsbury bench for six league matches but did not make it onto the pitch at Gay Meadow.
9.
In July 2009, Chris Neal moved permanently from Preston, rejoining Paul Simpson's Shrewsbury Town for a nominal fee.
10.
Chris Neal failed to agree fresh terms with Shrewsbury, having only been offered a one-year deal, 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.
11.
Chris Neal 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".
12.
Chris Neal 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.
13.
Chris Neal 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.
14.
Chris Neal was one of the most consistent performers of the season.
15.
Chris Neal stated that he joined "Donny" to play first-team football.
16.
On 17 May 2018, Chris Neal signed a two-year contract with newly promoted National League club Salford City.
17.
Chris Neal was a former teammate of "Ammies" manager Graham Alexander as Preston.
18.
On 15 August 2020, Chris 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".
19.
Chris Neal returned to his former club AFC Fylde as a goalkeeping coach in July 2024.
20.
Chris Neal's 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.
21.
Chris Neal raised money for the hospital later in the year.