Neville Roach
Encyclopedia
Neville Roach is a former English
professional footballer. He now manages Hartley Wintney
and plays Sunday football.
and began his career as an apprentice with Reading
, turning professional in August 1996. His league debut came on 26 April 1997, when he scored the first goal in a 2-0 victory home over Oldham Athletic
. Despite this impressive start, he found it difficult to establish himself and joined Kingstonian
on loan in January 1998.
In August 1998, out of favour at the start of the new season, he joined Slough Town
on loan, scoring twice in 11 Isthmian League
games. His debut goal for Reading turned out to be his only goal for the club, as he failed to find the net in four other starts, or 11 substitute appearances.
In January 1999, Roach was told by Reading manager Tommy Burns that he was free to leave and began talks with Conference
side Stevenage Borough
. On 23 February 1999 he joined Wycombe Wanderers
on loan, playing for their reserves the following day.
This was to be his only appearance for Wycombe as on 26 February he joined Southend United
on loan, with the move being made permanent on 3 March, costing the Shrimpers £30,000. He made his Southend debut on 27 February in a 3-0 defeat away to Cambridge United
and scored on his home debut on 6 March as Southend beat Swansea City 2-0. Despite this start he found it difficult to keep his place and was loaned to Stevenage Borough
.
In February 2000, knowing that he would be released at the end of the season, Roach was allowed to join Chester City
on trial, followed by a further one-week trial at Scarborough
in March 2000. Nothing came of the trials, and at the end of the season he was released by Southend, having played only five games. In March 2000 he was called up by the Cayman Islands
for their World Cup Qualifiers, but flew home from Cuba
after FIFA
blocked Roach and six other British-based players from playing.
He returned to Kingstonian on trial, playing in a friendly against Reading on 1 August 2000, but nine days later had signed for Australian side Eastern Pride. In February 2001, with the demise of Eastern Pride, he returned to the UK, joining St Albans City
, making his debut in the Isthmian League Cup tie at home to Hampton & Richmond Borough
. He played six further times, scoring twice (both against Chesham United
in the Full Members Cup on 20 February before joining Frickley Athletic
in March 2001.
On 22 March, within two weeks of joining Frickley, Roach left to join Oldham Athletic
. He made only one appearance, as a second-half substitute for Carlo Corazzin
, for Oldham, on the final day of the season, a 5-0 defeat away to Millwall
, before being released.
In the 2001 close-season he joined Torquay United
on trial, impressing manager Roy McFarland
sufficiently to be signed on non-contract terms on 9 of August which allowed him to make his debut two days later on the opening day of the season, playing as a late substitute for Eifion Williams
in the 1-0 defeat away to Bristol Rovers
. He remained on non-contract terms for the next two months, leaving the club by his own choice in November 2001 to join Stevenage Borough. The following month he joined Slough Town on a match to match basis, but left the same month to join Basingstoke Town
. The 2002-2003 season was a great success for Roach, he scored 25 goals, earned a trial with Football League side Boston United
and won the Basingstoke supporters player of the year award.
In the summer of 2005, after scoring 62 times in 162 first team appearances, he left Basingstoke to join local rivals Eastleigh
. In November 2005 he joined struggling League Two side Oxford United
on loan, returning to Eastleigh in February 2006 after Oxford had signed two new strikers (Yemi Odubade
and Tim Sills
).
Roach was transfer-listed by Eastleigh in October 2005 and spent the end of the 2005-06 season on loan at Maidenhead United
, but returned to Basingstoke in June 2006.
In January 2007, Roach returned to Maidenhead on loan from Basingstoke, extending his loan two further times, before signing on a permanent basis in mid-April.
He suffered a viral illness during the 2007 close season, and was loaned to Harrow Borough
and then Farnborough in order to regain fitness. He was released by Maidenhead in October 2007 and joined Farnbrough, where he scored regularly before moving on to Uxbridge
in January 2008.
On 16 July 2008, Roach joined Didcot Town
. In 2010, a knee ligament injury forced him to stop playing and so he moved into management, taking over Hartley Wintney
in May 2010.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer. He now manages Hartley Wintney
Hartley Wintney F.C.
Hartley Wintney Football Club is a football club based in the village of Hartley Wintney, England. Established in 1897, the club was a founder member of the Home Counties Football League in 1978. In the 1992–93 season, they reached the Third Round of the FA Vase...
and plays Sunday football.
Biography
Roach was born in ReadingReading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
and began his career as an apprentice with Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
, turning professional in August 1996. His league debut came on 26 April 1997, when he scored the first goal in a 2-0 victory home over 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...
. Despite this impressive start, he found it difficult to establish himself and joined Kingstonian
Kingstonian F.C.
Kingstonian Football Club are an English, semi-professional football club that are playing in the Isthmian League Premier Division for the 2011–12 season. The club has played at Kingsmeadow in Kingston upon Thames since 1989, after leaving their traditional Richmond Road ground...
on loan in January 1998.
In August 1998, out of favour at the start of the new season, he joined Slough Town
Slough Town F.C.
Slough Town F.C. is an English semi-professional football club. The club was officially founded in 1890 after the amalgamation of three local clubs, Swifts, Slough Albion and Young Men's Friendly Society, who between them forged a new club, Slough F.C....
on loan, scoring twice in 11 Isthmian League
Isthmian League
The Isthmian League is a regional football league covering London and South East England featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. It is sponsored by Ryman, and therefore officially known as the Ryman League. It was founded in 1905 by amateur clubs in the London area...
games. His debut goal for Reading turned out to be his only goal for the club, as he failed to find the net in four other starts, or 11 substitute appearances.
In January 1999, Roach was told by Reading manager Tommy Burns that he was free to leave and began talks with Conference
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
side Stevenage Borough
Stevenage Borough F.C.
Stevenage Football Club is an English football club based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The club currently participate in League One, the third tier of English football, having won promotion from League Two in the 2010–11 season...
. On 23 February 1999 he joined Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
on loan, playing for their reserves the following day.
This was to be his only appearance for Wycombe as on 26 February he joined Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
on loan, with the move being made permanent on 3 March, costing the Shrimpers £30,000. He made his Southend debut on 27 February in a 3-0 defeat away to Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
and scored on his home debut on 6 March as Southend beat Swansea City 2-0. Despite this start he found it difficult to keep his place and was loaned to Stevenage Borough
Stevenage Borough F.C.
Stevenage Football Club is an English football club based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The club currently participate in League One, the third tier of English football, having won promotion from League Two in the 2010–11 season...
.
In February 2000, knowing that he would be released at the end of the season, Roach was allowed to join Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
on trial, followed by a further one-week trial at Scarborough
Scarborough F.C.
Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season...
in March 2000. Nothing came of the trials, and at the end of the season he was released by Southend, having played only five games. In March 2000 he was called up by the Cayman Islands
Cayman Islands national football team
The Cayman Islands national football team is the national team of the Cayman Islands and is controlled by the Cayman Islands Football Association. It is a member of FIFA and CONCACAF. Cayman Islands' home ground is Truman Bodden Stadium in George Town and their head coach is Mark Campbell...
for their World Cup Qualifiers, but flew home from Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
after FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
blocked Roach and six other British-based players from playing.
He returned to Kingstonian on trial, playing in a friendly against Reading on 1 August 2000, but nine days later had signed for Australian side Eastern Pride. In February 2001, with the demise of Eastern Pride, he returned to the UK, joining St Albans City
St Albans City F.C.
St Albans City Football Club is a football club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. It was founded in 1908 and plays its home matches at Clarence Park, about 800 yards from the city centre. The club is in the Premier Division of the Southern League...
, making his debut in the Isthmian League Cup tie at home to Hampton & Richmond Borough
Hampton & Richmond Borough F.C.
Hampton & Richmond Borough F.C. are an English football club based in the suburb of Hampton, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. They were founded in 1921 and formerly known as Hampton F.C. until 1999 when they changed their name in an attempt to draw a wider support base from around the...
. He played six further times, scoring twice (both against Chesham United
Chesham United F.C.
Chesham United is an English football club based in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, currently playing in the Southern League. They are nicknamed "The Generals" because they were once the football team of the General Baptist Church in Chesham. Chesham Generals merged with Chesham Town to form United...
in the Full Members Cup on 20 February before joining Frickley Athletic
Frickley Athletic F.C.
Frickley Athletic F.C. are a football club based in South Elmsall, in West Yorkshire, England. They were established in 1910 as Frickley Colliery F.C., and changed to their present name in 1974.-History:...
in March 2001.
On 22 March, within two weeks of joining Frickley, Roach left to join 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...
. He made only one appearance, as a second-half substitute for Carlo Corazzin
Carlo Corazzin
Giancarlo Michele 'Carlo' Corazzin is a former professional Canadian soccer player who has appeared for the Canadian national team 59 times and has scored 11 goals. He is of Italian descent.-Club career:...
, for Oldham, on the final day of the season, a 5-0 defeat away to 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...
, before being released.
In the 2001 close-season he joined 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...
on trial, impressing manager Roy McFarland
Roy McFarland
Roy Leslie McFarland is an English football manager who was also a player, notably at Derby County where he played 434 league games helping him to earn 28 caps for England.-Playing career:...
sufficiently to be signed on non-contract terms on 9 of August which allowed him to make his debut two days later on the opening day of the season, playing as a late substitute for Eifion Williams
Eifion Williams
Eifion Wyn Williams is a Welsh footballer who plays for Jarrow Roofing as a midfielder/striker after coming out of retirement. He has recently retired whilst playing for Wrexham...
in the 1-0 defeat away to Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
. He remained on non-contract terms for the next two months, leaving the club by his own choice in November 2001 to join Stevenage Borough. The following month he joined Slough Town on a match to match basis, but left the same month to join Basingstoke Town
Basingstoke Town F.C.
Basingstoke Town Football Club is an English football club based in Basingstoke, Hampshire. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Camrose, named after their late benefactor, Lord Camrose. Their motto, 'Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum', means 'No stepping...
. The 2002-2003 season was a great success for Roach, he scored 25 goals, earned a trial with Football League side Boston United
Boston United F.C.
Boston United Football Club are an association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They currently play in the Conference North. The club is known as 'the Pilgrims' in reference to the Pilgrim Fathers, who fled from Boston to the USA and founded Boston, Massachusetts. The club's...
and won the Basingstoke supporters player of the year award.
In the summer of 2005, after scoring 62 times in 162 first team appearances, he left Basingstoke to join local rivals Eastleigh
Eastleigh F.C.
Eastleigh Football Club is an English semi-professional football club based in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Silverlake Stadium.-History:...
. In November 2005 he joined struggling League Two side Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
on loan, returning to Eastleigh in February 2006 after Oxford had signed two new strikers (Yemi Odubade
Yemi Odubade
Yemi Odubade is a Nigerian footballer, currently playing for Gateshead.Odubade began his football career in England, playing in the Sussex County League for Eastbourne Town in 2002, where he scored over 70 times in just two seasons at the East Sussex club in all competitions...
and Tim Sills
Tim Sills
Timothy "Tim" Sills is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Basingstoke Town.Sills was a product of Millwall's youth system and was a regular in the club's youth team up until he left in 1997...
).
Roach was transfer-listed by Eastleigh in October 2005 and spent the end of the 2005-06 season on loan at 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...
, but returned to Basingstoke in June 2006.
In January 2007, Roach returned to Maidenhead on loan from Basingstoke, extending his loan two further times, before signing on a permanent basis in mid-April.
He suffered a viral illness during the 2007 close season, and was loaned to Harrow Borough
Harrow Borough F.C.
Harrow Borough Football Club is a semi-professional English association football club based in Harrow, in Greater London. The club are currently members of the Isthmian League Premier Division and play at Earlsmead Stadium....
and then Farnborough in order to regain fitness. He was released by Maidenhead in October 2007 and joined Farnbrough, where he scored regularly before moving on to Uxbridge
Uxbridge F.C.
Uxbridge Football Club are a football club representing Uxbridge but now based in West Drayton, in the County of Middlesex England. They were established in 1871 and are one of the oldest clubs in the South of England. They were founder members of the Southern League Division Two in 1894 and have...
in January 2008.
On 16 July 2008, Roach joined Didcot Town
Didcot Town F.C.
Didcot Town F.C. are a football club based in Didcot in Oxfordshire, England. They won the FA Vase in 2005 and are currently members of Division One South & West of the Southern League, having been relegated from the Premier Division in 2010–11....
. In 2010, a knee ligament injury forced him to stop playing and so he moved into management, taking over Hartley Wintney
Hartley Wintney F.C.
Hartley Wintney Football Club is a football club based in the village of Hartley Wintney, England. Established in 1897, the club was a founder member of the Home Counties Football League in 1978. In the 1992–93 season, they reached the Third Round of the FA Vase...
in May 2010.