Ian McNeill

Aberdeen FC were saddened to learn of the death of former player Ian McNeill. He passed away at the age of 85.

Ian played for the Dons on ten occasions and was part of the squad that won Aberdeen’s first ever League Championship in 1955. Although he made a name for himself more in England, Ian was a good friend of AFC for many years – he took part in the Centenary celebrations in 2003 and until recently was still a regular visitor at Pittodrie, attending the Football Memories Group session. The group would meet to help people suffering from Dementia. Ian would come along and recall just a few of his many stories from a career in the game that spanned an incredible seven decades.

Ian, who was best man to Teddy Scott, also had a distinguished career as a manager, assistant manager and scout. His son also worked at Pittodrie for a while in a scouting role.

Our thoughts are with Ian’s family. His funeral will take place on Monday (16th October) at 1:15pm at the Aberdeen Crematorium.

Here is a look back at Ian’s career:

Ian McNeill | Aberdeen FC Heritage Trust profile | click here

Ian played for a West of Scotland youth team in 1948 and was talented enough to be selected to play for the Scotland U-18 team on five occasions at that level. It was while playing for his country that he attracted the attention of Dons legendary scout Bobby Calder and then manager Dave Halliday.

The inside forward signed a provisional form for Aberdeen shortly after. He was then farmed out to Bridgeton Waverley before being called up by the Dons and started playing for them in August 1950. His first appearance was at Pittodrie that month in the usual pre-season practice match when the first team played the reserves.  

He was still only a part-time player at that point and then had to do his national service. Ian was stationed for 18 months in Kenya. He returned to Pittodrie as a full time player in February 1955, just as Aberdeen were sitting top of the league and about to clinch their first title.

Shortly after that Ian decided to move south after struggling to break into the Aberdeen first team, but speaking to RedMatchday Magazine in 2005, it was a decision he made slightly too early:

“It was a situation I often wonder about and what might have been.

“First of all I had no knowledge whatsoever that Harry Yorston was going to retire from the game at only 28 years old. If I knew that I would have waited but it all came as a massive shock to everyone at the club. Harry had really kept me out of the first team picture and that was where I wanted to be. I had been playing in the reserves for some time and thought I was ready to step up. Harry then decided to retire and become a fish market porter at the end of that season. Months before that Dave Halliday came in for me to ask me to join Leicester. I had to take the chance as there seemed little possibility of Harry leaving the Dons at that time. Looking back I would have stayed with Aberdeen had I known his plans.

“Dave Halliday obviously had great faith in me as a player so I appreciated that. My first season at Leicester was tremendous as I scored 20 goals that season, 18 in the league and two in the FA Cup. We got promoted to the First Division that season.

“I was fortunate in many ways as I had a long career in the game after I hung up my boots but my one major regret is that I did not play for the Aberdeen first team more often than I did.

“Although I did enjoy a lot of success in the reserve team as we picked up a lot of trophies. I also remember scoring seven goals in one game as we beat East Fife reserves 15-0! I scored a lot for the reserves but only once for the first team.

“The Dons are a club I hold in great affection. My son and family all support Aberdeen and my son picked up my torch somewhat by doing some scouting for them for a while.”

After leaving Pittodrie he was at Leicester between 1956—1959 and his playing career continued with Brighton and Hove Albion from 1959—1963, then he moved to Southend United for a season in 1964. Ian then returned north to play for Ross County in 1966. Later that year he was offered the manager’s job in Dingwall and led them to the Highland League title.

He then moved south to non-league sides Wigan Athletic and Salisbury before returning for a second spell at Ross County in the early 70s. Ian then moved back down to Wigan and took them into the football league.

In the early 1980s he became assistant manager to John Neal at Chelsea as was credited in unearthing talents such as Kerry Dixon, David Speedie and Pat Nevin – who was playing for Clyde, managed by Craig Brown at the time. The Scottish connection helped Chelsea get promoted in 1983-84. After five years at Stamford Bridge he went to Shrewsbury Town as manager in his own right and was there for three seasons before joining Millwall as assistant to fellow Scot Bruce Rioch in 1990. McNeill followed Rioch to Bolton, heading up the recruitment department. He used his Scottish connections once more to sign the likes of John McGinlay and Andy Walker.

Ian would go on and scout for Chelsea, Leeds United, Norwich City and Wigan Athletic.
He is given credit for bringing Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to Leeds and he even discovered a young Cristiano Ronaldo as he told RedMatchday: “I actually spotted him when he was only sixteen, but even at that age he would have cost a small fortune!”

Ian retired from the game around 2006 and moved back to Scotland.

Please note RedMatchday Issue 08 (Aberdeen v Ross County programme) will have a further tribute to Ian due to his connection with both clubs.