Neil signed for Rugby in 2002 after being released by Derby Couty and made his debut as a 15-year-old substitute in the 3-2 win at Erith & Belvedere in the last game of the 01/02 season.

The following season, Neil broke into the first team and marked his full debut with a goal in the 3-0 defeat of Stourport Swifts at Butlin Road. Went on to start 38 consecutive games in the 02/03 season but suffered a serious injury at the start of the 03/04 campaign by rupturing a cruciate ligament at Yate Town - an injury that required reconstructive surgery and ruled him out for the season.

Neil briefly returned in the 04/05 season to make six starts but since his last game for the club against Halesowen Town in February 2005, he has since been blighted by injury and has had four knee operations in as many years to resolve his problems including a second cruciate rupture in June 2007.

The attacking midfielder finally returned to football for Valley's reserves in March 2008 and he will be hoping to stay injury free for the 2008/9 campaign to make a long-awaited return to first team action.