Neal Eardley
Encyclopedia
Neal James Eardley is a Welsh
international
footballer who plays for Blackpool
. His predominant position is as a right back. He previously played for Oldham Athletic
and has represented Wales at under-17
, under-19
, under-21
levels before winning his first full cap
in 2007.
, Eardley made the transition from the Boundary Park
youth system of Oldham Athletic
to the first team in May 2006. He made his first team debut in a 1–1 draw versus Scunthorpe United
on 6 May.
In the 2006–07 season
Eardley became a regular starter, initially in a more attacking role before being shifted to defence. However, it got off to a rough start, when he was sent off in the opening game on 5 August shortly after teammate Chris Taylor, as Oldham lost 1–0 to Tranmere Rovers
. In September he was given his first professional contract, lasting until June 2009. He scored his first goal on 9 December 2006 in a 2–1 loss to Chesterfield
from a free kick
. In his first season as a regular starter, Eardley made a total of 41 appearances, scoring two goals.
The following season
Eardley cemented his place as an integral member of the Oldham defence and was named captain during Sean Gregan
's absence. In October 2007 he signed a one-year extension to his contract, extending it until 2010.
On 11 March 2008, he scored his first ever brace from penalty kick
s in a 2–0 win over Bournemouth
. Almost two months later, he again had a multi-goal game in a 4–1 victory over Crewe Alexandra
. In total, he made 49 appearances, scoring six goals.
Eardley was named in the 2008–09 season
League One Team of the Year
, along with teammate Chris Taylor.
reported that Oldham Athletic had accepted a bid for Eardley from Championship
side Blackpool
, whose manager, Ian Holloway
, had been trying to sign him throughout the close-season, with Eardley having been given permission to talk to the Seasiders and undergo a medical at Bloomfield Road
. The following day, he signed a two-year contract, with an option for a further 12 months, for an undisclosed fee, that was reported to be about £350,000. On 8 August he was an unused substitute as the Seasiders started the 2009–10 season with a 1–1 draw with Queens Park Rangers
at Loftus Road
.
On 18 August he made his debut in a 0–0 draw with Derby County
at Bloomfield Road. On 25 January 2010 he was named in the Press Association
's Championship
"Team of the Week", along with team-mate Charlie Adam following his performance two days before in the 3–2 home victory over Watford
.
On 8 February 2010 Eardley was one of three players, along with Barry Bannan
and Ishmel Demontagnac
, disciplined by Ian Holloway, when they were seen out at a nightclub two days previously in Blackpool
following the home defeat to Leicester City
, even though Eardley was nursing a knee problem, and was due to undergo treatment the following day. Holloway explained: "I'm disappointed – we'll have a party once we've got 52 points. If they think that's appropriate, then they're messing with the wrong man. Bannan's probably broken his toe but it was apparently good enough to go out dancing on a Saturday night. How can you be injured and be dancing? I like a dance with anybody but it's got to be the right time and when you're in a good mood. I'm not in a good mood when I lose and neither should they be." All three were dropped from the squad for the next game, away to Sheffield Wednesday
.
Eardley scored his first goal for Blackpool with a free-kick in a 2–2 draw with Everton
in the Premier League at Bloomfield Road on 6 November 2010, coincidentally his birthday. He was subsequently named in the Premier League Team of the Week, alongside teammate and fellow goalscorer David Vaughan
.
On 12 February 2011, four days after appearing for Wales in their friendly defeat to the Republic of Ireland, Eardley was left out of the starting eleven against Aston Villa at Bloomfield Road in favour of Alex Baptiste
.
Six months later, Eardley was left out of the squad for Blackpool's first game since their relegation from the Premier League, citing dissatisfaction at his 50% pay cut from the previous campaign. For the following game, a League Cup first-round tie at Sheffield Wednesday, Eardley, playing in central midfield, captained the side.
Eardley signed a new, one-year contract with the club on 26 August 2011.
| 2005–06
| rowspan="4" style="vertical-align:center;"|Oldham Athletic
| rowspan="4" style="vertical-align:center;"|League One
|1||0||0||0||0||0||1||0
|-
|2006–07
|37||2||3||0||1||0||42||2
|-
|2007–08
|42||6||5||0||2||0||49||6
|-
|2008–09
|34||1||0||0||2||0||37||1
|-
|2009–10
|rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:center;"|Blackpool
|Championship
|24||0||1||0||2||0||27||0
|-
|2010–11
|Premier League
||31||1||1||0|||1||0||33||1
|-
168||11||9||0||8||0||189||9
Notes:
a. 1 league play-off appearance for Oldham Athletic in 2007 (included in 2006–07 total)
b. All Football League Trophy
results are included in totals
level in 2003 and 2004. In 2005 he played once for the Welsh under–19s
before making his debut with the under-21
side in 2007.
Eardley earned his first senior cap for Wales
in a 1–0 win over Bulgaria
on 22 August 2007, coming on as a substitute in the 46th minute. He also played twice in Wales' unsuccessful Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, a 2–1 win over San Marino
on 17 October 2007 and on 17 November, a 2–2 draw with Republic of Ireland
.
In March 2009 Eardley played in Wales under–21s' opening two games in Qualifying Group Three
for the 2011 UEFA European Under–21 Championship
, both against Luxembourg under–21s
. The first game, on 27 March, was a 0–0 draw at Deich, Ettelbruck Luxembourg
. Then four days later he scored the first goal, from a penalty kick
, in a 5–1 win at Parc y Scarlets
, Llanelli
.
On 6 June 2009 he made his first appearance in World Cup qualification
as Wales beat Azerbaijan
1–0 in their 2010 World cup
UEFA Group Four game
at the Tofik Bakhramov Stadium
in Baku
, Azerbaijan
.
He missed the under-21 sides third 2011 UEFA qualifying game, a 4–1 victory over Hungary under-21s
on 11 August as he had been called up to the full Wales squad for a friendly against Montenegro
at the Podgorica City Stadium
in Montenegro
the following day, which they lost 2–1, with Eardley replacing Sam Ricketts
in the 57th minute.
Later in August he was again named in Brian Flynn
's Wales under-21 squad for their next 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Group Three qualifying game against Italy under-21s
on 4 September. He helped Wales win 2–1, their first-ever victory over Italy at under-21 level. He was then called up to the full squad for their World Cup qualifier against Russia
on 9 September, and was an unused substitute in the match, which Wales lost 3–1.
Blackpool
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
international
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
footballer who plays for Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
. His predominant position is as a right back. He previously played for Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
and has represented Wales at under-17
Wales national under-17 football team
The Wales national under-17 football team is the national under-17 football team of Wales and is controlled by the Football Association of Wales.-Current squad:...
, under-19
Wales national under-19 football team
The Wales national under-19 football team is the national under-19 football team of Wales and is controlled by the Football Association of Wales. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship held every year.-Recent history:...
, under-21
Wales national under-21 football team
The Wales national under-21 football team, also known as the Wales U21s, is the national under-21 football team of Wales and is controlled by the Football Association of Wales. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
levels before winning his first full cap
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
in 2007.
Oldham Athletic
Born in LlandudnoLlandudno
Llandudno is a seaside resort and town in Conwy County Borough, Wales. In the 2001 UK census it had a population of 20,090 including that of Penrhyn Bay and Penrhynside, which are within the Llandudno Community...
, Eardley made the transition from the Boundary Park
Boundary Park
Boundary Park is the main sports stadium of Oldham, in Greater Manchester, England. It lies at the northwestern extremity of Oldham, with the towns of Royton and Chadderton lying immediately north and west respectively, giving rise to the name Boundary Park....
youth system of Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
to the first team in May 2006. He made his first team debut in a 1–1 draw versus Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
on 6 May.
In the 2006–07 season
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
Eardley became a regular starter, initially in a more attacking role before being shifted to defence. However, it got off to a rough start, when he was sent off in the opening game on 5 August shortly after teammate Chris Taylor, as Oldham lost 1–0 to Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
. In September he was given his first professional contract, lasting until June 2009. He scored his first goal on 9 December 2006 in a 2–1 loss to Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
from a free kick
Direct free kick
A direct free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football following a foul. Unlike an indirect free kick, a goal may be scored directly against the opposing side without the ball having first touched another player.-Award:...
. In his first season as a regular starter, Eardley made a total of 41 appearances, scoring two goals.
The following season
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
Eardley cemented his place as an integral member of the Oldham defence and was named captain during Sean Gregan
Sean Gregan
Sean Matthew Gregan is an English professional footballer. A defender, he has played in all of the top four leagues in England.- Early career :...
's absence. In October 2007 he signed a one-year extension to his contract, extending it until 2010.
On 11 March 2008, he scored his first ever brace from penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
s in a 2–0 win over Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
. Almost two months later, he again had a multi-goal game in a 4–1 victory over Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
. In total, he made 49 appearances, scoring six goals.
Eardley was named in the 2008–09 season
2008–09 in English football
The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
League One Team of the Year
PFA Team of the Year
The Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...
, along with teammate Chris Taylor.
Blackpool
On 6 August 2009, Sky SportsSky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
reported that Oldham Athletic had accepted a bid for Eardley from Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
, whose manager, Ian Holloway
Ian Holloway
Ian Scott Holloway is an English football manager and former player. He became the manager of Blackpool in May 2009. Holloway is well-known amongst football fans for his off-the-wall interviews, with a wide selection of quotes and soundbites being printed. Holloway's playing career spanned 18...
, had been trying to sign him throughout the close-season, with Eardley having been given permission to talk to the Seasiders and undergo a medical at Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road is an all-seater football stadium in the English town of Blackpool, Lancashire. It has been the permanent home of Blackpool F.C. since 1901 and is named after the road on which the stadium's main entrance used to stand. The stadium has been in a process of redevelopment since 2000...
. The following day, he signed a two-year contract, with an option for a further 12 months, for an undisclosed fee, that was reported to be about £350,000. On 8 August he was an unused substitute as the Seasiders started the 2009–10 season with a 1–1 draw with Queens Park Rangers
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...
at Loftus Road
Loftus Road
Loftus Road is a football stadium in Shepherd's Bush, London. It is home to the English football team Queens Park Rangers of the Premier League and has a capacity of around 18,500. The four stands are called the Loftus Road End , Ellerslie Road Stand, South Africa Road Stand and the School End,...
.
On 18 August he made his debut in a 0–0 draw with Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
at Bloomfield Road. On 25 January 2010 he was named in the Press Association
Press Association
The Press Association is the national news agency of the United Kingdom and Ireland, supplying multimedia news content to almost all national and regional newspapers, television and radio news, as well as many websites with text, pictures, video and data content globally...
's Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
"Team of the Week", along with team-mate Charlie Adam following his performance two days before in the 3–2 home victory over Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
.
On 8 February 2010 Eardley was one of three players, along with Barry Bannan
Barry Bannan
Barry Bannan is a Scottish professional footballer who plays for English Premier League club Aston Villa. He plays as a midfielder and is a Scotland full international, and also represented under-21 and B levels...
and Ishmel Demontagnac
Ishmel Demontagnac
Ishmel Abendigo Demontagnac is an English footballer who plays for Notts County as a winger. Only his first name is displayed on the back of his shirt.Demontagnac previously played for Walsall...
, disciplined by Ian Holloway, when they were seen out at a nightclub two days previously in Blackpool
Blackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
following the home defeat to Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
, even though Eardley was nursing a knee problem, and was due to undergo treatment the following day. Holloway explained: "I'm disappointed – we'll have a party once we've got 52 points. If they think that's appropriate, then they're messing with the wrong man. Bannan's probably broken his toe but it was apparently good enough to go out dancing on a Saturday night. How can you be injured and be dancing? I like a dance with anybody but it's got to be the right time and when you're in a good mood. I'm not in a good mood when I lose and neither should they be." All three were dropped from the squad for the next game, away to Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
.
Eardley scored his first goal for Blackpool with a free-kick in a 2–2 draw with Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
in the Premier League at Bloomfield Road on 6 November 2010, coincidentally his birthday. He was subsequently named in the Premier League Team of the Week, alongside teammate and fellow goalscorer David Vaughan
David Vaughan (footballer)
David Owen Vaughan is a Welsh footballer who plays for Sunderland. He plays as a midfielder.Vaughan previously played for Crewe Alexandra, where he spent seven years between 2000 and 2007...
.
On 12 February 2011, four days after appearing for Wales in their friendly defeat to the Republic of Ireland, Eardley was left out of the starting eleven against Aston Villa at Bloomfield Road in favour of Alex Baptiste
Alex Baptiste
Alexander Aaron John "Alex" Baptiste is an English footballer who plays for Blackpool. He usually plays in central defence, but has also played at both full back positions and as a defensive midfielder.-Mansfield Town:...
.
Six months later, Eardley was left out of the squad for Blackpool's first game since their relegation from the Premier League, citing dissatisfaction at his 50% pay cut from the previous campaign. For the following game, a League Cup first-round tie at Sheffield Wednesday, Eardley, playing in central midfield, captained the side.
Eardley signed a new, one-year contract with the club on 26 August 2011.
Club career statistics
|-| 2005–06
| rowspan="4" style="vertical-align:center;"|Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
| rowspan="4" style="vertical-align:center;"|League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
|1||0||0||0||0||0||1||0
|-
|2006–07
|37||2||3||0||1||0||42||2
|-
|2007–08
|42||6||5||0||2||0||49||6
|-
|2008–09
|34||1||0||0||2||0||37||1
|-
|2009–10
Blackpool F.C. season 2009–10
The 2009–10 season was Blackpool F.C.s 103rd season in the Football League. It was also their third consecutive season in The Championship, the second tier of English football. The club won promotion, via the play-offs, to the Premier League for the first time, their 28th overall season in the top...
|rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:center;"|Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
|Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
|24||0||1||0||2||0||27||0
|-
|2010–11
|Premier League
||31||1||1||0|||1||0||33||1
|-
168||11||9||0||8||0||189||9
Notes:
a. 1 league play-off appearance for Oldham Athletic in 2007 (included in 2006–07 total)
b. All Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
results are included in totals
International career
Eardley made three appearances for Wales at under–17Wales national under-17 football team
The Wales national under-17 football team is the national under-17 football team of Wales and is controlled by the Football Association of Wales.-Current squad:...
level in 2003 and 2004. In 2005 he played once for the Welsh under–19s
Wales national under-19 football team
The Wales national under-19 football team is the national under-19 football team of Wales and is controlled by the Football Association of Wales. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship held every year.-Recent history:...
before making his debut with the under-21
Wales national under-21 football team
The Wales national under-21 football team, also known as the Wales U21s, is the national under-21 football team of Wales and is controlled by the Football Association of Wales. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
side in 2007.
Eardley earned his first senior cap for Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
in a 1–0 win over Bulgaria
Bulgaria national football team
The FIFA Bulgaria national football team is an association football team fielded by the Bulgarian Football Union, a member association of UEFA. The team's home ground is Vasil Levski in Sofia and Luboslav Penev is in charge manager after replacement of Lothar Matthäus...
on 22 August 2007, coming on as a substitute in the 46th minute. He also played twice in Wales' unsuccessful Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, a 2–1 win over San Marino
San Marino national football team
The San Marino national football team is the national football team of San Marino, controlled by the San Marino Football Federation...
on 17 October 2007 and on 17 November, a 2–2 draw with Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
.
In March 2009 Eardley played in Wales under–21s' opening two games in Qualifying Group Three
2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification Group 3
The teams competing in Group 3 of the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championships qualifying competition were Italy, Wales, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Luxembourg.-Standings:Qualification*Italy secured a qualification to the UEFA Play-Offs....
for the 2011 UEFA European Under–21 Championship
2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
UEFA U-21 Championship 2011 was the 18th staging of UEFA's European Under-21 Football Championship. The final tournament was hosted by Denmark between 11 and 25 June 2011....
, both against Luxembourg under–21s
Luxembourg national under-21 football team
The Luxembourg national under-21 football team is the national representative under-21 football team of Luxembourg. Controlled by the Luxembourg Football Federation , the team feeds into Luxembourg's full national team....
. The first game, on 27 March, was a 0–0 draw at Deich, Ettelbruck Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
. Then four days later he scored the first goal, from a penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
, in a 5–1 win at Parc y Scarlets
Parc y Scarlets
Parc y Scarlets is a rugby union stadium in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, that opened in November 2008 as the new home of the Scarlets and Llanelli RFC. The ground replaced Stradey Park, the home of Llanelli's rugby teams for almost 130 years...
, Llanelli
Llanelli
Llanelli , the largest town in both the county of Carmarthenshire and the preserved county of Dyfed , Wales, sits on the Loughor estuary on the West Wales coast, approximately west-north-west of Swansea and south-east of the county town, Carmarthen. The town is famous for its proud rugby...
.
On 6 June 2009 he made his first appearance in World Cup qualification
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
as Wales beat Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan national football team
The Azerbaijan national football team is the national football team of Azerbaijan and is controlled by Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan...
1–0 in their 2010 World cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
UEFA Group Four game
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 4
The 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification UEFA Group 4 was a UEFA qualifying group for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The group comprised 2006 FIFA World Cup hosts Germany, Russia, Finland, Wales, Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein....
at the Tofik Bakhramov Stadium
Tofik Bakhramov Stadium
Tofiq Bahramov Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan. It is currently used mostly for football matches. It serves as the home ground of FK Baku and the Azerbaijan national football team and holds 30,000, making it the largest stadium in the country.- History :The Tofiq Bahramov...
in Baku
Baku
Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
, Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
.
He missed the under-21 sides third 2011 UEFA qualifying game, a 4–1 victory over Hungary under-21s
Hungary national under-21 football team
The Hungary national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team for Hungary and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation.Following the realignment of UEFA's youth competitions in 1976, the Hungarian Under-21 team was formed...
on 11 August as he had been called up to the full Wales squad for a friendly against Montenegro
Montenegro national football team
The Montenegro national football team represents Montenegro in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Montenegro, the governing body for football in Montenegro...
at the Podgorica City Stadium
Podgorica city stadium
Podgorica Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Podgorica, Montenegro.Notable matches played at the stadium include:*SFR Yugoslavia - Luxembourg 0:0 - att: 15,000...
in Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
the following day, which they lost 2–1, with Eardley replacing Sam Ricketts
Sam Ricketts
Samuel Derek "Sam" Ricketts is a Welsh international footballer who plays for Bolton Wanderers. His favoured position is full-back...
in the 57th minute.
Later in August he was again named in Brian Flynn
Brian Flynn
Brian Flynn, is a Welsh football manager and former Welsh international player.On 13 September 2010 Flynn was confirmed caretaker manager of the Wales national football team after John Toshack stepped down...
's Wales under-21 squad for their next 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Group Three qualifying game against Italy under-21s
Italy national under-21 football team
The Italy national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Italy and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation.The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
on 4 September. He helped Wales win 2–1, their first-ever victory over Italy at under-21 level. He was then called up to the full squad for their World Cup qualifier against Russia
Russia national football team
The Russia national football team represents Russia in association football and is controlled by the Russian Football Union , the governing body for football in Russia. Russia's home grounds are Luzhniki Stadium, Lokomotiv Stadium , and Petrovsky Stadium in St.Petersburg and their head coach is...
on 9 September, and was an unused substitute in the match, which Wales lost 3–1.
Individual
- PFA Team of the YearPFA Team of the YearThe Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...
: 2008–092008–09 in English footballThe 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
- ChampionshipFootball League ChampionshipThe Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
play-off final winner: 2009–10
External links
- Neal Eardley player profile at blackpoolfc.co.uk