John McKeand "Ian" McNeill was a Scottish professional footballer and manager.
16 Facts About Ian McNeill
1.
2.
Ian McNeill returned to Scotland to join Ross County, then a Highland League club, initially as a player before taking over as manager the following season.
3.
Ian McNeill led the club to their first ever Highland League Championship in 1967.
4.
Ian McNeill then became manager of Wigan Athletic, then a Northern Premier League club, in 1968.
5.
Ian McNeill then managed Salisbury in the Southern League, before returning for a second spell at Ross County in 1971.
6.
Ian McNeill returned to management in 1987, this time with Shrewsbury Town and remained until 1990.
7.
Ian McNeill retired from the sport in 2006 and returned to Scotland.
8.
Ian McNeill was born on 24 February 1932, and grew up in the Baillieston area of Glasgow.
9.
Ian McNeill was scouted by Aberdeen whilst playing for Junior side Bridgeton Waverley and the Scotland under-18 youth team, and joined the club as a part-time player in 1949 while continuing his apprenticeship as a draughtsman.
10.
Ian McNeill's playing career at Aberdeen was interrupted by National Service, which he spent in Kenya for 18 months before returning to the club in 1955.
11.
Ian McNeill struggled to break into the first team, and in 1956 he moved to England to join Leicester City.
12.
Ian McNeill scored 18 goals in his first full season at Leicester, helping the club win promotion to the First Division.
13.
Ian McNeill went on to play for Southend United before finishing his playing career in Scotland with Highland League side Ross County.
14.
Ian McNeill was appointed as manager at Ross County while still playing for the club, and managed the team when they won the Highland League for the first time in 1967.
15.
Ian McNeill then had a couple of spells with English non-league clubs, first with Northern Premier League side Wigan Athletic, followed by Salisbury in the Southern League.
16.
Ian McNeill returned to Ross County before re-joining Wigan Athletic in 1976.