Frank Neary
Encyclopedia
Harold Frank Neary was an English footballer who played as a striker
, mainly for Millwall
, Leyton Orient
and West Ham United
.
During the Second World War, Neary played as an amateur for West Ham, Finchley
and then Fulham
, before joining the Army. While stationed in Ireland he played for Glentoran
. After the war he joined Q.P.R.
and featured in 30 regional wartime matches, scoring 23 goals.
When regular football recommenced in 1946–47, Neary continued with Q.P.R. before moving to West Ham for £4000 in January 1947. His time there was curtailed after reportedly hitting an opponent who had fouled him, out of sight of the referee. West Ham sold him in November 1947 at a £2000 loss to Leyton Orient, where he became the club's record goalscorer at that time, with 25 goals during the 1948–49 season. He was noted for the power of his shooting, and once knocked out opposing goalkeeper Archie McFeat of Torquay United
, who got in the way of a Neary drive.
Refusing advances from Newcastle United
, Neary moved back to Q.P.R. for £7000 in October 1949, but it was a further move in August 1950, this time to Millwall for £6000, which led him to 50 more league goals in 123 League appearances.
Neary finished his career playing non-league football at Gravesend in May 1954. He died at St Raphael's Hospice in North Cheam on 17 November 2004, aged 83.
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
, mainly for Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
, Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
and West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
.
During the Second World War, Neary played as an amateur for West Ham, Finchley
Finchley F.C.
Finchley Football Club was an English football club based in Finchley, Greater London. Established in 1874, the club merged with Wingate to form Wingate & Finchley in 1991.-History:...
and then Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
, before joining the Army. While stationed in Ireland he played for Glentoran
Glentoran F.C.
Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
. After the war he joined Q.P.R.
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
and featured in 30 regional wartime matches, scoring 23 goals.
When regular football recommenced in 1946–47, Neary continued with Q.P.R. before moving to West Ham for £4000 in January 1947. His time there was curtailed after reportedly hitting an opponent who had fouled him, out of sight of the referee. West Ham sold him in November 1947 at a £2000 loss to Leyton Orient, where he became the club's record goalscorer at that time, with 25 goals during the 1948–49 season. He was noted for the power of his shooting, and once knocked out opposing goalkeeper Archie McFeat of Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
, who got in the way of a Neary drive.
Refusing advances from Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
, Neary moved back to Q.P.R. for £7000 in October 1949, but it was a further move in August 1950, this time to Millwall for £6000, which led him to 50 more league goals in 123 League appearances.
Neary finished his career playing non-league football at Gravesend in May 1954. He died at St Raphael's Hospice in North Cheam on 17 November 2004, aged 83.