Neil MacFarlane (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Neil MacFarlane is a Scottish
professional Association footballer who position is defensive midfield. He currently plays for Annan Athletic
.
before moving to Kilmarnock
in 2000. Failing to play a first team match for Killie, MacFarlane spent most of his single season at Rugby Park
on loan with a spell back at Queen's Park and then another at Clyde
. Following his release in 2001, MacFarlane joined Airdrieonians
, where he played nearly thirty league matches before a knee injury ended his season prematurely. Despite being injured,, MacFarlane joined Hearts
in July 2002, with manager Craig Levein
signing the player on a part-time deal due to his injury problems. MacFarlane made his debut at the end of November. and was awarded a new, full-time deal two months later.
On transfer deadline day in August 2005, MacFarlane was on the verge of joining fellow SPL
side Dundee United
when the Hearts board cancelled the transfer, despite the player having already travelled to Tannadice
to agree personal terms and undertake a medical. Instead, MacFarlane was allowed to leave in the following window in January
, where he secured a short-term move to Aberdeen
. After starting only two matches for the Dons, MacFarlane was told in late April he could leave at the end of the season and he subsequently joined Gretna
a month later. After injuries restricted him to just eight appearances in his first season at Raydale Park
, MacFarlane was released halfway through his two-year contract, leaving him free to join Queens of the South in June 2007.
McFarlane was a mainstay of the Queens run to the final of the 2008 Scottish Cup
beating Aberdeen 4–3 in the semi final. The final was against Rangers at Hampden Park
, Glasgow
. As the underdogs QoS put up an excellent showing only losing by the odd goal in five. MacFarlane, a lifelong Rangers supporter described it as the biggest match of his career and typically gave a committed and hard working performance.
In June 2009, MacFarlane signed for Greenock Morton
, under freedom of contract.
He was released by Morton on 31 August 2010. After his release he played in one trial match for Airdrie United
but failed to earn a contract at New Broomfield
.
On November 19, 2010, Neil MacFarlane joined Annan Athletic.
Neil now coaches for Dunoon Youth Football League (DYFL).
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
professional Association footballer who position is defensive midfield. He currently plays for Annan Athletic
Annan Athletic F.C.
Annan Athletic Football Club are an association football club who compete in the Scottish Third Division. They are based in the town of Annan, Dumfries and Galloway...
.
Career
MacFarlane began his senior career in 1999 with Queen's ParkQueen's Park F.C.
Queen's Park Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland. The club are currently the only amateur club in the Scottish League; their amateur status is reflected by their motto, Ludere Causa Ludendi – to play for the sake of playing.Queen's Park are the oldest...
before moving to Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
in 2000. Failing to play a first team match for Killie, MacFarlane spent most of his single season at Rugby Park
Rugby Park
Rugby Park is a football stadium situated in the Scottish town of Kilmarnock. It was first used in 1899 and is the home of Kilmarnock F.C..It underwent a major redevelopment in 1994–95, becoming an all-seater stadium with a capacity of 18,128...
on loan with a spell back at Queen's Park and then another at Clyde
Clyde F.C.
Clyde Football Club are a Scottish professional football team currently playing in the Third Division of the Scottish Football League. Although based for the last fifteen years in the new town of Cumbernauld, they are traditionally associated with an area that covers Rutherglen in South...
. Following his release in 2001, MacFarlane joined Airdrieonians
Airdrieonians F.C.
Airdrieonians Football Club, more commonly known as Airdrie, were a Scottish professional football team from the town of Airdrie, in the Monklands area of Lanarkshire....
, where he played nearly thirty league matches before a knee injury ended his season prematurely. Despite being injured,, MacFarlane joined Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
in July 2002, with manager Craig Levein
Craig Levein
Craig William Levein is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager of the Scotland national team. During his playing career he played for Cowdenbeath and Heart of Midlothian...
signing the player on a part-time deal due to his injury problems. MacFarlane made his debut at the end of November. and was awarded a new, full-time deal two months later.
On transfer deadline day in August 2005, MacFarlane was on the verge of joining fellow SPL
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
side Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
when the Hearts board cancelled the transfer, despite the player having already travelled to Tannadice
Tannadice Park
Tannadice Park, usually referred to as Tannadice, is a football stadium located on Tannadice Street in the Scottish city of Dundee. The stadium is home of Dundee United F.C. and has a capacity of 14,209.-Early days :...
to agree personal terms and undertake a medical. Instead, MacFarlane was allowed to leave in the following window in January
January 2006
January 2006: ← – January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December – →-1 January 2006 :...
, where he secured a short-term move to Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
. After starting only two matches for the Dons, MacFarlane was told in late April he could leave at the end of the season and he subsequently joined Gretna
Gretna F.C.
Gretna Football Club was a Scottish football club that represented the town of Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway, close to the border between England and Scotland...
a month later. After injuries restricted him to just eight appearances in his first season at Raydale Park
Raydale Park
Raydale Park is a football stadium in Gretna, Scotland, that served as the home ground of Gretna F.C. until the club resigned from the Scottish Football League in 2008. Gretna played most of their home games at Raydale during their existence in English non-league football and then during their...
, MacFarlane was released halfway through his two-year contract, leaving him free to join Queens of the South in June 2007.
McFarlane was a mainstay of the Queens run to the final of the 2008 Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
beating Aberdeen 4–3 in the semi final. The final was against Rangers at Hampden Park
Hampden Park
Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
, Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. As the underdogs QoS put up an excellent showing only losing by the odd goal in five. MacFarlane, a lifelong Rangers supporter described it as the biggest match of his career and typically gave a committed and hard working performance.
In June 2009, MacFarlane signed for Greenock Morton
Greenock Morton F.C.
Greenock Morton Football Club are a Scottish professional football club, who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. The club was founded as Morton Football Club in 1874, making it one of the oldest senior Scottish clubs....
, under freedom of contract.
He was released by Morton on 31 August 2010. After his release he played in one trial match for Airdrie United
Airdrie United F.C.
Airdrie United Football Club are a Scottish professional football team based in the town of Airdrie, North Lanarkshire. They are currently managed by ex-Airdrieonians player and former Airdrie United Under 19s coach Jimmy Boyle. They are members of the Scottish Football League and play in the...
but failed to earn a contract at New Broomfield
Excelsior Stadium
The Excelsior Stadium is the home of Airdrie United F.C. of the Scottish Football League Second Division. It was built in 1998 to house Airdrieonians F.C., and when Airdrieonians went into liquidation four years later, Airdrie United began playing their home games there.When the stadium first...
.
On November 19, 2010, Neil MacFarlane joined Annan Athletic.
Neil now coaches for Dunoon Youth Football League (DYFL).
Personal
MacFarlane has worked as a golf caddy over the years, most notably carrying the bag of Craig Scott in two pro-ams. They remain friends.Queen's Park
- Scottish Football League Third DivisionScottish Football League Third DivisionThe Scottish Football League Third Division is the lowest division of the Scottish Football League and the fourth overall in the Scottish football league system....
1999-001999-00 in Scottish footballThe 1999–2000 season was the 103rd season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:-Scottish First Division:-Scottish Second Division:...
- winner
External links
(Spelling error, Morton stats)- Profile at londonhearts.com
See also
- Greenock Morton F.C. season 2009-10