Neal James Eardley was born on 6 November 1988 and is a former Wales international footballer who last played for Cymru Premier champions Connah's Quay Nomads.
25 Facts About Neal Eardley
2.
Neal Eardley represented Wales at under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels, before winning the first of his 16 senior caps in August 2007.
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Neal Eardley began his career at Oldham Athletic, and made his first team debut in May 2006.
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Neal Eardley spent a further two seasons at Blackpool, before he moved on to Birmingham City in July 2013.
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Neal Eardley struggled with injuries throughout his three-year stay at Birmingham, playing just 21 matches, as well as one appearance on loan at Leyton Orient in January 2015.
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Neal Eardley joined Scottish club Hibernian on a short-term deal in September 2016, and then returned to England to play for Northampton Town in January 2017.
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Neal Eardley signed a short-term contract with Lincoln City in August 2017.
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On 4 August 2020, Eardley signed for League One Burton Albion.
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Neal Eardley signed a one-year extension to his contract in October, extending it until 2010.
10.
However he was disciplined by Holloway the following month, along with Barry Bannan and Ishmel Demontagnac, when they were seen out at a nightclub in Blackpool following a home defeat to Leicester City, even though Neal Eardley had a knee problem and was due to undergo treatment the next day.
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Neal Eardley was named in the Premier League Team of the Week, alongside teammate and fellow goalscorer David Vaughan.
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Neal Eardley started at right-back in the play-off final defeat against West Ham United, taking his appearance total to 33 for the season.
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In September 2012, Holloway suggested that Neal Eardley had matured over the previous year, during which his first child, a girl, had been born.
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In May 2013, Neal Eardley agreed a three-year deal with Birmingham City, to begin on 1 July after his contract with Blackpool expired.
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Neal Eardley finally returned to Birmingham's first team for the League Cup win at Bristol Rovers in August 2015.
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Neal Eardley was released by Birmingham when his contract expired at the end of the season.
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On 28 September 2016, Neal Eardley signed for Scottish Championship club Hibernian on a short-term deal, due to run until January 2017.
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Neal Eardley had impressed Hibs manager Neil Lennon on trial, winning a contract ahead of Poland international Filip Modelski.
19.
Neal Eardley had originally been signed by Rob Page, who was sacked before Eardley's international clearance came through, leaving Paul Wilkinson as caretaker-manager.
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Neal Eardley had a bright start to his Cobblers career and established himself in the first team under new manager Justin Edinburgh.
21.
Neal Eardley later extended his deal until the end of the season, and after he was voted Player of the Season he then re-signed until 2020.
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On 28 May 2020, it was announced Neal Eardley will leave the club at the end of his current contract.
23.
Neal Eardley joined Burton Albion on 4 August 2020 on a one-year deal.
24.
Neal Eardley failed to win a cap following Chris Coleman's appointment as manager in January 2012; he had been called up by Coleman in 2013 but was forced to pull out due to the first of one of the numerous injuries that afflicted him during his time at Birmingham.
25.
Neal Eardley played alongside his brother at Oldham Athletic, who went on to coach at hometown club Llandudno.