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Ex-Imp
Awarded The O.B.E
31st December 2005
Phil Neale, a popular former Lincoln City player of the
1970's and 1980's, has been awarded the O.B.E. in the New
Year's Honour lists.
Neale made 335 appearances for Lincoln City between 1974
and 1985, and also scored 22 goals for The Imps. He would
have made many more appearances for Lincoln but for two
aspects that interrupted his footballing career.
First, Neale was also a successful cricketer with
Worcestershire, which meant that he missed the opening
matches of the football season. The second interruption
came during Willie Bell's spell as Lincoln City manager,
as Bell refused to select Neale for the first team. Neale
was tempted to leave Lincoln but Bell's departure came
first, with Bell being replaced by Colin Murphy, who
immediately restored Neale to the Lincoln City first
team.
Neale released his autobiography - entitled "A Double
Life" -
in June 1990, which is a fascinating read for anyone who
can remember Neale and his team-mates, as he writes
in-depth about his time at Lincoln City.
Neale is now the tour manager for the England cricket
team, and his O.B.E. is in recognition of helping England
win the 2005 Ashes against Australia.
For a review of books about Lincoln City or their
players, please click here.
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