- Neville Neville
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Neville Neville is a former league cricketer, football agent and director. He is the father of professional association football players Gary Neville and Phil Neville and netball player Tracey Neville.
His name is part of what has been called "one of the best chants in football".
Contents
Cricket career
Neville played cricket for Greenmount Cricket Club in the Bolton Cricket League league during the 1980s.[1] His daughter Tracey cites this as her earliest sporting memory.[2]
Family
Neville is married to Jill and they have three children who are all professional athletes: Gary and twins Tracey and Phil.[2][3]
Neville is the agent for his two sons. He has represented both during contract talks with their clubs.[4] After Euro 2004, Neville arranged new contracts with Manchester United following negotiations with United's executive David Gill.[5]
His eldest son Gary decided to postpone any testimonial match until his playing career was over. Neville Neville stated that "In this day and age when players earn such fantastic amounts of money we think it would be better to create some kind of facility for the supporters."[6]
Football and charity work
Neville is a former director of English Football League club Bury.[7][8] He was the spearhead and vice-chairman of the "save our shakers" appeal which was a bid to give financial assistance to the struggling football club after it had gone into administration.[8][9]
The campaign was "brilliantly orchestrated"[8] by Neville and he was praised for tirelessly organising supporters groups, giving media interviews and working closely with the administrators to arrange a deal to secure the club's safety. It is said that Bury owe Neville "a huge debt".[8]
Comical name
Neville has achieved somewhat of a cult status among football fans, not least because of his unusual name but also because of his raucous partying with the wives and girlfriends (WAGs) of the England players that took place in Germany at the 2006 World Cup. Neville stood on a couch at a local restaurant and bar and proceeded to lead the WAGs in singing the national anthem and smashing their champagne glasses.[10]
His name is part of what has been called "one of the best chants in football":[11][12]
- Neville Neville, they're in defence
- Neville Neville, their future's immense
- Neville Neville, they ain't half bad
- Neville Neville, the name of their dad
(Sung to the tune of David Bowie's 'Rebel Rebel')
References
- ^ Peter Stafford (March 1989). Bolton Cricket League Review. Accessed 2007-12-15.
- ^ a b Gareth A Davies (June 12, 2006). My sport: Tracey Neville The Telegraph. Accessed 2007-12-15.
- ^ Andy Hunter (December 12, 2005). Barely a glance as Neville boys are brothers in arms no "The Independent". Accessed 2007-12-18.
- ^ Tom Lutz and Barry Glendenning (February 16, 2007). Not So Secret Agent "The Guardian". Accessed 2007-12-18.
- ^ Mark Ogden (July 25, 2004). Football: The Nevilles sign for life "Sunday Mirror". Accessed 2007-12-18.
- ^ Neville puts benefit on hold (August 21, 2002) "BBC Sport". Accessed 2007-12-18.
- ^ Extra Time (March 11, 2002) "BBC Sport".
- ^ a b c d Forever Bury (June 1, 2007) "Bury Football Club". Accessed 2007-12-18.
- ^ Neville Comes To Shakers' Aid (March 11, 2002) "BBC Sport". Accessed 2007-12-18.
- ^ Christian Gysin, Nicole Lampert (June 24, 2006). 19 Bottles of Bubbly, Dancing on Chairs and Smashed Glasses. Another Night Out For the Wags "Daily Mail". Accessed 2007-12-18
- ^ Anything you can do... (January 12, 2003) Observer Sport Monthly. Accessed 2007-12-15.
- ^ Paul Atherton (August 20, 2002). Sport's family fortunes BBC Sport. Accessed 2007-12-15.
Categories:- Living people
- English cricketers
- British sports agents
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