John Neal

[Backbiter]

I've just heard that our former manager John Neal, who did so much to rebuild the club in the early 80s, has died at the age of 82.

A top man and one who was very popular with all Chelsea fans. Sad news.

RIP John.

[mad_mac]

Just seen this too.  Sad news.  Before my time, but fully aware of what he did for Chelsea 

 

Took us from brink of relegation to Div 3, to 6th in Div 1

Edited November 23, 2014 by mad_mac

[bluegraham]

Sad news RIP

[RichardCFC]

RIP John.

[bazzablue]

Did an outstanding job bought players like Nevin, Speedie, Dixon and Spackman etc. Stood down because of ill health and was replaced by the utterly out of his depth John Hollins. R.I.P. John and thanks for the 83-84 season the boys in blue from division 2 but we won't be here for long.

[Backbiter]

Did an outstanding job bought players like Nevin, Speedie, Dixon and Spackman etc. Stood down because of ill health and was replaced by the utterly out of his depth John Hollins. R.I.P. John and thanks for the 83-84 season the boys in blue from division 2 but we won't be here for long.

A season that fans of that era rate among our best ever.

[bjd]

Sad news. My first ever Chelsea manager. rIp

[NorthernMonkey]

Very sad, my early years as a supporter too :(

[Lofty.]

Up there with Eddie Mac as one of my favourite managers from my era, I've just come across this short tribute on the official site:

 

John Neal

1981 - 1985

Few custodians of the Chelsea hot seat have turned their popularity round to such as degree – at least, in a positive sense – as the avuncular north-easterner who arrived, barely heralded, from Wrexham in April 1981. The coffers for improving the squad were still empty, but unlike his four immediate predecessors he at least had experience on his side.

That cut no ice with disgruntled Chelsea fans when the Blues shipped six without reply at Rotherham, just the worst humiliation of several. Embarrassing Liverpool 2-0 in the FA Cup handed little respite and ‘Neal Must Go!’ banners and terrace protests greeted the final whistle of Rotherham’s 1-1 draw at the Bridge in March the following season. The Blues lay 20th, looking likely to play third-tier football for the first time. Fortunately Clive Walker’s goal at Bolton helped to avert the threat and the quiet, unflappable Neal survived, thanks to Ken Bates. The chairman’s unstinting support eventually took financial form: the likes of Eddie Niedzwiecki, Pat Nevin, Nigel Spackman and Kerry Dixon would be key acquisitions for the team for years to come, as would David Speedie signed a year earlier.

Thus fortified, and playing the balance of fluid attack and solid defence Neal favoured, Chelsea surged back to the First Division in 1984 with a new team spirit, and Dixon-Speedie-Nevin soon took the top flight by storm too, playing an expressive but well-organised brand of football. He also nurtured the Blues’ first black debutant, Paul Canoville, through horrendous abuse. Chelsea enjoyed a thrilling League Cup run as far as the semi-finals and finished fifth in the league – Neal had created a booming club from laughing stock.

Just as the club looked finally set on an upward trajectory the manager, a heavy smoker, suffered serious heart problems and in summer 1985 John Hollins stepped up from a player-coaching role to lead the team. Neal continued for a time as general manager before having triple bypass heart surgery. He later returned to live in Wales.

 

RIP John

 

Edit: Hopefully it won't be too long before the club publish a proper tribute.

Edited November 23, 2014 by Lofty.

[Parisian Blue]

Sad news. A gentleman who made footballers out of Darren Wood and Billy Ashcroft at Wrexham and Boro. Universally liked.

[croydonblue]

Great manager. my first manager that i attended games under as well, brought in dixon,speedie,nevin, kevin mcallister, and eddie ned, all for £350,000. funny i'm going to an evening with pat and chopper tomorrow night.

rip john.

Edited November 23, 2014 by croydonblue

[TJB]

Sad to hear, RIP

[Chippy]

Very Sad, RIP John.

[WeatherMan]

Thank you for the time you spent at Chelsea and RIP Mr Neal.

[Cobham]

RIP John Neal. A great manager. So many legendary games, so many amazing memories.

Come along, come along, come along and sing this song. We're the boys in blue in Division Two and we won't be here too long.

Johnny Neal's blue and white army!

[dkw]

The first manager I can actually remember, an a superb manager he was. Rip.

[Jezz]

Very sad news and John was a good man to have at the club during the early to mid 1980s when Ken Bates took charge as owner. Thanks for the memories and contributions John!

 

RIP! 

[Arq]

Very sad news. RIP.

[MKBlue]

Arguably the most under rated manager in our club's history, RIP 

 

Time to rename the East Stand.

[chelseablueboy]

Proper gentleman, and brought some great players to the club too.
It was a pleasure watching your team John.

[loz]

The first manager I can actually remember, an a superb manager he was. Rip.

Pretty much the same. Managed my first 'era' as a Chelsea supporting lad (that I can properly remember) A real gentleman. God knows how he dealt with Speedie and Dixon's spats!

A sad day for the club.

[Nibs]

Fond memories of John Neal and that side he put together. They remain some of my best times watching Chelsea.

 

RIP.

[Englishman]

Just think where the club might be today were it not for him.

 

RIP.

[Boyne]

Very sad news. A wonderful manager. RIP John.

[Lofty.]

I've just heard that our former manager John Neal, who did so much to rebuild the club in the early 80s, has died at the age of 82.

A top man and one who was very popular with all Chelsea fans. Sad news.

RIP John.http://www.theshedend.com/topic/27031-john-neal/

I've got to ask where you heard this? Not only is there still no mention of John Neal's passing away on the official site, neither as far as I can see, are there any reports to this effect in any of the papers, or in any other news outlet. Apologies if I've missed something, but the story appears to have originated at We Ain't Got No History.

 

A John Bennie Neal, aged 75 was killed in a hit and run three days ago, and a couple of months ago, a John Neal was killed in a fatal motorcycle crash, but I've yet to find mention anywhere of the death of former Chelsea Manager John Neal