The former Manchester United starlet signed a two-year deal in the summer of 2004. He had spent four years at Old Trafford and spent loan periods at Royal Antwerp, Peterborough and Burnley before coming to Coventry. The left-footed midfielder showed glimpses of his talent but rarely set the world alight under Peter Reid and he was made available on a free transfer by Micky Adams at the end of the season. With no takers he stayed at Coventry, appearing just five times as a substitute, including the first game at the Ricoh. In January 2006 he joined Blackpool on loan and subsequently signed permanently for the Seasiders. A move to Oldham came to grief after a cruciate ligament injury and Neil subsequently played in Bosnia for FC Zeljeznicar for several months in 2008.