Neal Eardley

Neal James Eardley (born 6 November 1988) is a former Wales international footballer who last played for Cymru Premier champions Connah’s Quay Nomads.

He began his career at Oldham Athletic, and made his first team debut in May 2006.

Born in Llandudno, Eardley graduated from the youth system at Oldham Athletic to make his first team debut under Ronnie Moore in a 1–1 draw with Scunthorpe United at Boundary Park on 6 May 2006.

In the 2006–07 season, Eardley became a regular starter under new manager John Sheridan, initially starting in a more attacking role before being shifted to defence.

However, his season got off to a rough start, when he was sent off in the opening game on 5 August shortly after teammate Chris Taylor was also red carded, as Oldham lost 1–0 to Tranmere Rovers.

He represented Wales at under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels, before winning the first of his 16 senior caps in August 2007.

Eardley is now a coach for former club Blackpool.

He turned professional four months later and quickly became a regular first team player before he was named in the 2008–09 League One PFA Team of the Year.

He was signed by Blackpool in August 2009 for a reported fee of £350,000.

In September he was given his first professional contract, which was due to run until June 2009.

He scored his first goal with a free kick in a 2–1 loss at Chesterfield on 9 December.

In his first season as a regular starter, Eardley made 41 appearances, scoring twice, as the "Latics" qualified for the League One play-offs, but were beaten by Blackpool at the semi-final stage.

The following season Eardley cemented his place as an integral member of the Oldham defence and was named captain during Sean Gregan's absence.

Eardley earned praise from manager Joe Royle in April 2009, but despite missing matches through international call-ups was named in the League One Team of the Year for his performances across his 34 league appearances during the 2008–09 campaign, alongside teammate Chris Taylor.

However Royle left the club and his successor, Dave Penney, signed cover at right-back in apparent anticipation at losing Eardley during the transfer window.

Blackpool manager, Ian Holloway signed Eardley on 7 August 2009 for an undisclosed fee – reported to be about £350,000; Eardley signed a two-year contract, with an option for a further 12 months.

On 18 August, Eardley made his debut for the "Seasiders" in a 0–0 draw with Derby County at Bloomfield Road.

The 2009–10 season ended on a high note though as Blackpool far exceeded their 52 points target to instead qualify for the play-offs with 70 points; they went on to beat Cardiff City 3–2 in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium, though Eardley was not in the matchday squad.

Blackpool were promoted out of the Championship via the play-offs in 2010, and he played 31 Premier League matches in their 2010–11 relegation campaign.

He signed a one-year extension to his contract in October, extending it until 2010.

On 11 March, he scored a brace from penalty kicks in a 2–0 win over AFC Bournemouth.

Almost two months later, he again scored a brace in a 4–1 victory over Crewe Alexandra.

In total, he made 49 appearances and scored six goals as Oldham posted an eighth-place finish.

He and teammate Charlie Adam were named in the Championship Team of the Week following their performance in the 3–2 home victory over Watford on 23 January 2010.

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 Eardley had a knee problem and was due to undergo treatment the next day.

Holloway explained: "I'm disappointed – we'll have a party once we've got 52 points".

All three were dropped from the squad for the next game, away to Sheffield Wednesday.

Eardley scored his first goal for the Tangerines with a free kick in a 2–2 draw with Everton in the Premier League at Bloomfield Road on 6 November 2010 – the day of his 21st birthday.

He was subsequently named in the Premier League Team of the Week, alongside teammate and fellow goalscorer David Vaughan.

He played 33 games across the 2010–11 campaign, but could not prevent Blackpool from being relegated with a 4–2 defeat to champions Manchester United at Old Trafford on 22 May.

After Blackpool's relegation from the Premier League, Eardley's pay was cut by 50%: Holloway suggested he was "so messed up by the whole thing" that he would be left out of the squad for the opening game of the 2011–12 season.

For the following game, a League Cup first-round tie at Sheffield Wednesday, Eardley, playing in central midfield, captained a weakened side and missed a penalty.

He made his first appearance in the league on 20 August; within two minutes of coming on as a second-half substitute with Blackpool 2–0 down to Brighton & Hove Albion; he set up a goal for Kevin Phillips and went on to produce a "brilliant display" that "helped Pool grab the unlikeliest of draws".

He signed a new one-year contract with the club on 26 August, but injuries disrupted his first-team appearances in the early part of the season.

He spent a further two seasons at Blackpool, before he moved on to Birmingham City in July 2013.

He 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.

He 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.

He signed a short-term contract with Lincoln City in August 2017.

On 4 August 2020, Eardley signed for League One Burton Albion.

He was released at the end of the 2020–21 season.