Neil Saunders
Encyclopedia
Neil Saunders is a footballer who plays as a midfielder
. He is currently a free agent, having been most recently contracted to Exeter City
in League One
. He has played international futsal
for England.
, east London. He was a member of Watford
's youth academy for ten years before being offered professional terms by the then manager Gianluca Vialli
. Despite playing regularly for the reserves, Saunders failed to make a first team appearance for the club, and joined Conference National
club Barnet
on a free transfer in August 2003. He played only once for Barnet's first team.
He played for Team Bath
while studying for a BA
degree in Coach Education and Sports Development at the University of Bath
. He contributed to their promotion to the Premier Division of the Southern League
in the 2003–04 season. Appointed club captain for the 2005–06 season, he missed most of the campaign with a knee injury. At the end of the 2006–07 season he received the manager's Player of the Year award, having led the team to runners-up spot in the Premier Division, missing out on promotion to the Conference South
after losing to Maidenhead United
in the play-off final, and the tema's first victory in the Somerset Premier Cup
.
He turned professional with Exeter City
before the 2007–08 season, together with Matt Taylor
rejoining their former Team Bath coach Paul Tisdale
. However, Saunders was injured before the start of the season and it wasn't until 15 months later, in December 2008, that he finally made his debut for Exeter, during a home game against Lincoln City
. Scored his first goal in professional football with a 35 yard volley during Exeter's
League Two
match against Barnet
in January 2009.
It was announced on 14 May 2010, that he had been released by Exeter, along with eight other players.
Saunders made his debut for England at Futsal
in December 2004.
On 29 June 2010 Neil announced he was to retire from professional Football at the age of 27 due to his ongoing Knee injury preventing him from fulfilling his potential in the game
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
. He is currently a free agent, having been most recently contracted to Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
in 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....
. He has played international futsal
Futsal
Futsal is a variant of association football that is played on a smaller pitch and mainly played indoors. Its name is a portmanteau of the Portuguese futebol de salão and the Spanish fútbol de salón , which can be translated as "hall football" or "indoor football"...
for England.
Career
Saunders was born in DagenhamDagenham
Dagenham is a large suburb in East London, forming the eastern part of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and located east of Charing Cross. It was historically an agrarian village in the county of Essex and remained mostly undeveloped until 1921 when the London County Council began...
, east London. He was a member of 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...
's youth academy for ten years before being offered professional terms by the then manager Gianluca Vialli
Gianluca Vialli
Gianluca Vialli is an Italian football manager and former player. Since retiring, he has gone into management and punditry and is a commentator for Sky Sport Italia....
. Despite playing regularly for the reserves, Saunders failed to make a first team appearance for the club, and joined Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
club Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
on a free transfer in August 2003. He played only once for Barnet's first team.
He played for Team Bath
Team Bath F.C.
Team Bath was an English association football club affiliated with the University of Bath in the city of Bath, Somerset at the turn of the 21st century. The club was formed to allow the players to combine professional football with higher education...
while studying for a BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in Coach Education and Sports Development at the University of Bath
University of Bath
The University of Bath is a campus university located in Bath, United Kingdom. It received its Royal Charter in 1966....
. He contributed to their promotion to the Premier Division of the Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
in the 2003–04 season. Appointed club captain for the 2005–06 season, he missed most of the campaign with a knee injury. At the end of the 2006–07 season he received the manager's Player of the Year award, having led the team to runners-up spot in the Premier Division, missing out on promotion to the Conference South
Conference South
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
after losing to Maidenhead United
Maidenhead United F.C.
Maidenhead United Football Club is an English football club in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The club was founded in 1870 and moved to their current ground at York Road the following year...
in the play-off final, and the tema's first victory in the Somerset Premier Cup
Somerset Premier Cup
The Somerset Premier Cup is the senior local county football cup for teams based in Somerset, organised by the Somerset County Football Association.It was formerly known as the Somerset Professional Cup....
.
He turned professional with Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
before the 2007–08 season, together with Matt Taylor
Matt Taylor (footballer)
Matthew James Taylor is an English footballer who plays for Charlton Athletic.-Early career as a goalkeeper:Taylor began his career as a goalkeeper playing for Preston North End Boys before being a member of the Everton U17 Academy. He joined Burscough and, alongside brother Joe, played in the...
rejoining their former Team Bath coach Paul Tisdale
Paul Tisdale
Paul Robert Tisdale is a retired professional footballer. He is the current manager of Exeter City.-Southampton:...
. However, Saunders was injured before the start of the season and it wasn't until 15 months later, in December 2008, that he finally made his debut for Exeter, during a home game against Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
. Scored his first goal in professional football with a 35 yard volley during Exeter's
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
match against Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
in January 2009.
It was announced on 14 May 2010, that he had been released by Exeter, along with eight other players.
Saunders made his debut for England at Futsal
Futsal
Futsal is a variant of association football that is played on a smaller pitch and mainly played indoors. Its name is a portmanteau of the Portuguese futebol de salão and the Spanish fútbol de salón , which can be translated as "hall football" or "indoor football"...
in December 2004.
On 29 June 2010 Neil announced he was to retire from professional Football at the age of 27 due to his ongoing Knee injury preventing him from fulfilling his potential in the game