A Scottish international centre-forward with an impressive scoring record with various Scottish clubs including Hibernian, and Sunderland, Neil was signed by Noel Cantwell in February 1968 following the sale of Bobby Gould to Arsenal. City, languishing at the foot of the table needed goals and Martin obliged. His arrival coincided with an upturn in City’s form and he scored a hat-trick in his second game (and missed a penalty) against Sheffield Wednesday. His eight goals were a key reason for the Sky Blues avoiding relegation in his first season and his form prompted a recall to the Scotland squad.
A back injury however stopped him adding to the three caps won prior to coming to Coventry. Martin was a popular player at Highfield Road and scored a vital goal against Leicester in April 1969 that would prove to be the goal that sent the Foxes down and keep City up. The following season he developed an excellent strike partnership with John O’Rourke which was a big factor in the club’s outstanding season that resulted in European qualification by virtue of finishing sixth.
In 1971 he was surprisingly sold to Nottingham Forest for £65,000 but his best days were past. He did have four years at Forest and became the first player to score 100 goals both in Scotland and England, before moving on to Brighton and Crystal Palace before hanging up his boots at the age of 36. A good spell as joint manager (with Alan Buckley) of Walsall was followed by a job coaching in the Middle East. After retirement he lived near Edinburgh and watched Hibs play regularly.
Penalties (11 - 10 scored)
1967-68
24 February 1968 v Sheffield Wednesday H, Division One, scored (keeper Peter Springett)
24 February 1968 v Sheffield Wednesday H, Division One, missed, over the bar (keeper Peter Springett)
30 March 1968 v Wolverhampton Wanderers H, Division One, scored (keeper Phil Parkes)
16 April 1968 v Stoke City A, Division One, scored (keeper Gordon Banks)
1968-69
4 March 1969 v Sunderland H, Division One, scored (keeper Jim Montgomery)
1969-70
16 September 1969 v Crystal Palace H, Division One, scored (keeper John Jackson)
16 September 1969 v Crystal Palace H, Division One, scored (keeper John Jackson)
26 December 1969 v Ipswich Town H, Division One, scored (keeper David Best)
28 March 1970 v Burnley H, Division One, scored (keeper Peter Mellor)
1970-71
6 October 1970 v West Ham United H, League Cup 3rd Round, scored (keeper Peter Grotier)
26 December 1970 v West Bromwich Albion H, Division One, scored - Jim Cumbes
Hat tricks (1)
1967-68
24 February 1968 v Sheffield Wednesday H, Division One
