John Neill

John Neill was educated at Rugby School where he played for the tennis, cricket and hockey teams. He later played hockey for Old Rugbeians. Originally a centre-half, he converted to full-back and became one of the best in the country. Neill played for two of the country’s leading club sides, Southgate in London, and Bowdon, Manchester.

During his time at Southgate, Neill also played for Surrey and The South. He made his England début in 1958 and toured South Africa that year. Shortly afterwards, he did two years National Service in the Royal Artillery, and during his time in service, played for the Army and Combined Services. After leaving the Army, Neill moved north to play for Bowdon and went on to win representative honours with Cheshire (43 appearances) and The North (10).

Between 1958-68, Neill played for Great Britain 56 times, and England a further 33 times. He was Great Britain’s captain at the 1968 Olympics, and his 56 caps was a record at the time of his retirement. Neill was a keen member of the Bowdon Tennis Club and won many club events. He was appointed a director of the family brewery Greenall Whitley and Co. Ltd., of Wilderspool, Warrington, in the 1960s.