Neil Shipperley

Chelsea

Shipperley began his career as a trainee at Chelsea on leaving school in 1991 and was an occasional member of the first team, making his debut in the 1992–93 season and scoring once in three games that season. He played 24 times and scored four goals for them in 1993–94, although he was not selected in their squad for the 1994 FA Cup Final, which they lost 4–0 to Manchester United. He played a further 10 games in 1994–95, scoring twice, but he was unable to get a regular place in the team due to the presence of Mark Stein, Paul Furlong and John Spencer. He was loaned out to Watford during the autumn of 1994, and soon after returning to Stamford Bridge, he was transferred to Southampton, in January 1995.

Southampton

He was signed for the Saints by Alan Ball for a record fee of £1.25 million on 6 January 1995 Shipperley scored four goals in 19 league games for the Saints that season as they finished 10th in the Premier League.

Ball departed to take over at Manchester City during the 1995 close season, but new manager Dave Merrington continued to select Shipperley as a regular player and he missed just one league game in 1995–96. However, it was a difficult campaign for the Saints, who avoided relegation only on goal difference. Shipperley was their joint top scorer with seven league goals and also helped them reach the FA Cup quarter finals, where they lost 2–0 to eventual the double winners Manchester United.

Crystal Palace

Merrington resigned from the manager's post to look after his terminally ill wife and Saints appointed Graeme Souness, who recruited Norwegian Egil Østenstad and, after two years at The Dell, Shipperley left the Premier League club for Division One promotion chasers Crystal Palace in October 1996, for a fee of £1 million. Shipperley had already appeared in 10 league games for the Saints that season, but scored just once. He helped Palace win promotion to the Premier League at the end of the 1996–97 season, but was unable to save them from going straight back after just one season.

Nottingham Forest

Next stop was at newly promoted Nottingham Forest, who also went down within a year of promotion. At Forest he scored once against future club Wimbledon.

Barnsley

The following season, 1999–2000, Shipperley was playing for Barnsley, scoring 31 goals from 88 appearances in two seasons.

Wimbledon

Shipperley moved to Wimbledon and formed a strong partnership with David Connolly during 2002–03, which produced nearly 50 second level goals.

Return to Crystal Palace

When Wimbledon went into administration, Shipperley chose to remain at Selhurst Park, transferring back to Crystal Palace (Wimbledon had been groundsharing with the Eagles), and during the 2003–04 season he captained them to promotion to the top level, scoring in the play-off semi-final home win over Sunderland, and the winning goal in the final victory over West Ham United.

Sheffield United

However, Shipperley rarely featured in the subsequent campaign, with England international Andy Johnson preferred. After Palace were relegated, Shipperley moved to Sheffield United on a free transfer in July 2005, scoring 11 goals in 39 appearances in his debut season, helping them to promotion to the Premier League. Injuries made it difficult for an individual impact in the top flight season, and he was one of several United players transfer-listed in December 2006.

Brentford

On 15 January 2007, his contract with Sheffield United was terminated by mutual consent. He then signed a four-month contract with Brentford, eight days later. Despite a promising start, Shipperley failed to score in his eleven appearances for Brentford, and on 25 April 2007 announced his retirement from professional football.

International career

During his time with Southampton, Shipperley won his first England under-21 cap, earning seven in all.

Management career

On 20 May 2009, it was announced that Shipperley had become manager of Bedfont in the Combined Counties League. In the summer of 2010, Shipperley was appointed manager of Walton Casuals in the Isthmian League Division One South. After 15 months in the role he quit the club however in October 2011.

On Boxing Day 2011, Shipperley was confirmed as the successor to Steve Ringrose at North Greenford United a post he held until May 2012 when he resigned 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 in the final game of the 2012–13 season.

Shipperley's second spell as manager at Berkeley Fields came to an end when he resigned in February 2014 following a 4–1 defeat to Dunstable Town.

Personal life

Shipperley lived in Hillingdon, West London and attended Bishopshalt School. He is the son of Dave Shipperley, who played for many years at centre back for Charlton Athletic and Gillingham.