Neil Shipperley

2025-09-10T10:53:03Z

217.169.61.226: /* Wimbledon and return to Palace */

{{Short description|English footballer (born 1974)}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Neil Shipperley
| image =
| fullname = Neil Jason Shipperley
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1974|10|30}}
| birth_place = [[Chatham, Medway|Chatham]], England
| height =
| position = [[Striker (association football)|Striker]]
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
| years1 = 1992–1995
| clubs1 = [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
| caps1 = 37
| goals1 = 7
| years2 = 1994
| clubs2 = → [[Watford F.C.|Watford]] (loan)
| caps2 = 6
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 1995–1996
| clubs3 = [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]]
| caps3 = 66
| goals3 = 12
| caps4 = 61
| years4 = 1996–1998
| clubs4 = [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]
| goals4 = 20
| years5 = 1998–1999
| clubs5 = [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]]
| caps5 = 20
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 1999–2001
| clubs6 = [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]]
| caps6 = 78
| goals6 = 27
| years7 = 2001–2003
| clubs7 = [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]]
| caps7 = 87
| goals7 = 32
| years8 = 2003–2005
| clubs8 = [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]
| caps8 = 41
| goals8 = 8
| years9 = 2005–2007
| clubs9 = [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]]
| caps9 = 39
| goals9 = 11
| years10 = 2007
| clubs10 = [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]]
| caps10 = 11
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2013
| clubs11 = [[North Greenford United]]
| caps11 = 1
| goals11 = 0
| totalcaps = 446
| totalgoals = 119
| nationalyears1 = 1993–1995
| nationalteam1 = [[England national under-21 football team|England U21]]
| nationalcaps1 = 7
| nationalgoals1 = 3
| manageryears1 = 2009–2010
| managerclubs1 = [[Bedfont F.C. (1900)|Bedfont]]
| manageryears2 = 2010–2011
| managerclubs2 = [[Walton Casuals F.C.|Walton Casuals]]
| manageryears3 = 2011–2012
| managerclubs3 = [[North Greenford United F.C.|North Greenford United]]
| manageryears4 = 2012–2014
| managerclubs4 = [[North Greenford United F.C.|North Greenford United]]
}}
'''Neil Jason Shipperley''' (born 30 October 1974) is an English [[association football|football]] manager and former professional player who played as a [[forward (association football)|forward]].

He notably played in the [[Premier League]] for [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]], [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]], [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]] and [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] as well as featuring in the [[Football League]] for [[Watford F.C.|Watford]], [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]], [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]] and [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]]. He scored the only goal of the [[2004 Football League First Division play-off final]] for Crystal Palace. He was also capped seven times by the [[England national under-21 football team|England U21]] team, scoring three goals.

Following retirement he moved into management with non-league clubs [[Bedfont F.C. (1900)|Bedfont]], [[Walton Casuals F.C.|Walton Casuals]] and [[North Greenford United F.C.|North Greenford United]].

==Playing career==
===Chelsea===
Shipperley got his break in football at the age of 15, when playing for [[Spartan League]] side Brook House in the Middlesex Charity Cup. The tournament's patron, celebrity astrologer [[Russell Grant]], was friends with [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] chairman [[Ken Bates]], whose club sent a team to the tournament. Shipperley bettered Chelsea centre-back [[Frank Sinclair]] for strength and pace, and was scouted by the club.<ref name=independent/> An article in ''[[The Independent]]'' in January 1994 predicted that Shipperley could become Chelsea's first homegrown star striker since [[Peter Osgood]] in the 1960s.<ref name=independent/>

In the inaugural [[Premier League]] season of 1992–93, Shipperley made his professional debut towards the end of the campaign. On 10 April, he came on as a 65th-minute substitute for [[Robert Fleck]] in a 1–0 loss at his future club [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]], and two days later on his first start and first game at [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]] he scored their last goal in a 4–2 win against [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]].<ref>{{Soccerbase season|id=7252|season=1992|access-date=20 December 2019}}</ref>

===Southampton and Crystal Palace===
Shipperley was signed for Southampton by [[Alan Ball, Jr.|Alan Ball]] for a record fee of £1.25 million on 6 January 1995.<ref>{{cite book|first1=Duncan|last1= Holley|first2= Gary|last2= Chalk|title=In That Number – A post-war chronicle of Southampton FC|publisher=Hagiology Publishing|year=2003|isbn=0-9534474-3-X|page=578}}</ref> New manager [[Graeme Souness]] signed Norwegian [[Egil Østenstad]], prompting Shipperley to drop to the First Division by signing for [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] for a £1 million fee in October 1996.<ref>{{cite news |title=Shipperley joins Palace for pounds 1m |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/shipperley-joins-palace-for-pounds-1m-1360089.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/shipperley-joins-palace-for-pounds-1m-1360089.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=20 December 2019 |work=The Independent |date=25 October 1996}}</ref> He scored 13 times for the Eagles over the rest of the season as they were promoted via the play-offs, including one on 10 May in a 3–1 home win over [[Wolverhampton Wanderers]] in the first leg of the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite news |title=Back in the Day: May 10th - Crystal Palace 3-1 Wolves 1997 |url=https://rednbluearmy.co.uk/articles/10-05-18-back-day-may-10th-crystal-palace-3-1-wolves-1997 |access-date=20 December 2019 |publisher=Red n Blue Army |date=10 May 2018}}</ref> In 1997–98, he scored seven times – including five consecutive games from October to December – in a season that ended with relegation.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Soccerbase season|id=7252|season=1997|access-date=20 December 2019}}</ref>

===Nottingham Forest and Barnsley===
In September 1998, Shipperley returned to the Premier League by signing for [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]] for £1.5 million.<ref name=eadt>{{cite news |title=Amazing season for deserted Dons |url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/amazing-season-for-deserted-dons-1-59677 |access-date=20 December 2019 |work=East Anglia Daily Times |date=26 April 2003 |archive-date=20 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220210744/https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/amazing-season-for-deserted-dons-1-59677 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He scored only once in 21 games as Forest went down, that coming on 13 March 1999 to round off a 3–1 win at his future club Wimbledon.<ref>{{cite news
|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-wimbledon-1-nottingham-forest-3--forests-dream-surv-ives-1080727.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-wimbledon-1-nottingham-forest-3--forests-dream-surv-ives-1080727.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live
|title=Wimbledon 1 Nottingham Forest 3 – Forest's dream surv ives
|work=[[The Independent]]
|date=13 March 1999 |access-date=17 January 2010
| location=London
| first=Kieran
| last=Daly}}</ref>

For 1999–2000, Shipperley signed for First Division club [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]] for £700,000.<ref name=eadt/> He scored 15 times in 46 total games in his first season, including both of a 2–0 home win over [[South Yorkshire]] rivals [[Sheffield United]] on 6 November.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> On 13 May 2000, he opened the scoring in a 4–0 win at [[Birmingham City]] in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals,<ref>{{cite news |title=Brilliant Barnsley crush Blues |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/747402.stm |access-date=20 December 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 May 2000}}</ref> though his team would lose 4–2 to [[Ipswich Town]] in the final at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]].

===Wimbledon and return to Palace===
Ahead of the 2001–02 season, Shipperley joined Wimbledon for £750,000, and scored on his debut on 11 August to open a 3–1 win over Birmingham.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wimbledon 3-1 Birmingham |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1482483.stm |access-date=20 December 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 August 2001}}</ref> He scored 12 times in his first season with the Dons, including braces in both games against [[Manchester City]] (4–0 away and 2–1 home wins).<ref>{{cite news |title=Man City 0-4 Wimbledon |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1566495.stm |access-date=20 December 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 September 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Brodkin |first1=Jon |title=Shipperley double sinks the City strollers |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/feb/04/match.sport11 |access-date=20 December 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=4 February 2002}}</ref> He captained the side, and built a prolific partnership with Irishman [[David Connolly]] in 2002–03, the club's final season.<ref name=palace>{{cite news |title=Shipperley agrees Palace deal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crystal_palace/3092819.stm |access-date=20 December 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 July 2003}}</ref>

In July 2003, Shipperley returned to Palace on a three-year deal.<ref name=palace/> On 29 May 2004 at the [[Millennium Stadium]], he captained the side and scored the only goal of a [[2004 Football League First Division play-off final|play-off final]] win against [[West Ham United]] to take the Eagles back to the Premier League.<ref>{{cite news |title=Crystal Palace 1-0 West Ham |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/3750773.stm |access-date=20 December 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 May 2004}}</ref>

===Later career===
After Palace's immediate relegation, Shipperley moved on to Sheffield United on a two-year deal on a free transfer in July 2005.<ref>{{cite news |title=Shipperley shapes up for Blades |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/shipperley-shapes-up-for-blades-550974 |access-date=20 December 2019 |work=Daily Mirror |date=21 July 2005}}</ref> He scored 11 times as the Blades won promotion as runners-up to [[Reading F.C.|Reading]], including two on 10 December in a 3–0 home win over [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Sheff Utd 3-0 Burnley |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/4494744.stm |access-date=20 December 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 December 2005}}</ref>

On 15 January 2007,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sufc.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10418~965399,00.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805160002/http://www.sufc.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10418~965399,00.html|url-status=dead|title=HOME PAGE|date=5 August 2012|archive-date=5 August 2012|access-date=8 April 2018}}</ref> his contract with Sheffield United was terminated by mutual consent, and he signed a four-month contract with [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]], eight days later.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://world.brentfordfc.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10421~969188,00.html |title=Fitz lands his man. |access-date=8 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212205033/http://world.brentfordfc.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10421~969188,00.html |archive-date=12 February 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He failed to score in his eleven appearances for Brentford, and on 25 April 2007 announced his retirement from professional football. In June that year, he rejected the chance to play for Wimbledon's successor [[AFC Wimbledon]], telling the ''[[Surrey Comet]]'' that he was in the Middle East to coach a club there.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mokbel |first1=Sami |title=Dons can't tempt Shipperley out of early retirement |url=https://www.surreycomet.co.uk/sport/1503958.dons-cant-tempt-shipperley-out-of-early-retirement/ |access-date=20 December 2019 |work=Surrey Comet |date=28 June 2007}}</ref>

==Managerial career==
On 20 May 2009, it was announced that Shipperley had become manager of [[Bedfont F.C. (1900)|Bedfont]] in the [[Combined Counties League]].<ref>[http://www.bedfontfootballclub.co.uk/news.asp Shipperley named as new manager] Bedfont F.C. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090407041247/http://www.bedfontfootballclub.co.uk/news.asp |date=7 April 2009 }}</ref> In the summer of 2010, Shipperley was appointed manager of [[Walton Casuals F.C.|Walton Casuals]] in the [[Isthmian League Division One South]]. In October 2011, after 15 months in the role he re resigned from the role.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=79393 |title=Shipperley quits Casuals |publisher=Non League Daily |date=19 October 2011 |access-date=19 October 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024012556/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php |archive-date=24 October 2011}}</ref>

On Boxing Day 2011, Shipperley was confirmed as the successor to Steve Ringrose at [[North Greenford United F.C.|North Greenford United]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Appointment of New Manager|url=http://www.northgreenfordunitedfc.co.uk/club/News/view/624502|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426085520/http://www.northgreenfordunitedfc.co.uk/club/News/view/624502|archive-date=26 April 2012|publisher=North Greenford United FC|access-date=2 January 2012|date=27 December 2011}}</ref> a post he held until May 2012 when he resigned<ref>{{cite web |title=Shipperley quits North Greenford |url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=84807 |publisher=NonLeagueDaily.com |access-date=17 May 2012 |date=18 May 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518005551/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php |archive-date=18 May 2012}}</ref> to look for management experience at a higher level, though he returned in October 2012 following the sacking of Jon-Barrie Bates. He made an appearance as a player against [[Leighton Town F.C.|Leighton Town]] in the final game of the [[2012–13 Southern Football League#Division One Central|2012–13 season]].

Shipperley's second spell as manager at North Greenford United came to an end when he resigned in February 2014 following a 4–1 defeat to [[Dunstable Town F.C.|Dunstable Town]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/north-greenford-boss-shipperley-resigns-6594596|title=North Greenford boss Shipperley resigns|first=Yann|last=Tear|date=25 January 2014|access-date=8 April 2018}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Shipperley's father was [[Dave Shipperley]], who played for many years at [[centre back]] for [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] and [[Gillingham F.C.|Gillingham]].<ref name=independent>{{cite news |last1=Haylett |first1=Trevor |title=Football: Shipperley shapes up to reach for the stars |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-shipperley-shapes-up-to-reach-for-the-stars-1401615.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-shipperley-shapes-up-to-reach-for-the-stars-1401615.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=20 December 2019 |work=The Independent |date=22 January 1994}}</ref>

In December 2019, Shipperley was found guilty of public [[masturbation]] and intentionally exposing himself to a mother and her 16-year-old daughter. He was given a 12-month community order, ordered to complete 120 hours' unpaid work plus costs and compensation. He was also made subject to a five-year sexual offences notification requirement order. Shipperley had been receiving counselling for personal issues, including the death of his father and gambling addiction, as well as debts.<ref>{{cite web |title=Neil Shipperley sentenced for public masturbation |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-50839639 |work=BBC News |access-date=18 December 2019 |date=18 December 2019}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Soccerbase}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shipperley, Neil}}
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Chatham, Kent]]
[[Category:English men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:Chelsea F.C. players]]
[[Category:Watford F.C. players]]
[[Category:Southampton F.C. players]]
[[Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players]]
[[Category:Nottingham Forest F.C. players]]
[[Category:Barnsley F.C. players]]
[[Category:Wimbledon F.C. players]]
[[Category:Sheffield United F.C. players]]
[[Category:Brentford F.C. players]]
[[Category:North Greenford United F.C. players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:Isthmian League players]]
[[Category:England men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:English football managers]]
[[Category:Bedfont F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Walton Casuals F.C. managers]]
[[Category:North Greenford United F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Isthmian League managers]]
[[Category:British sportspeople convicted of crimes]]
[[Category:English sex offenders]]
[[Category:People convicted of sex crimes]]

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Neil Shipperley