Hugh Neil made 289 appearances for Carlisle, and scored 2 goals, between 1961 and the end of 1968.
He also stayed at the club when his playing career had finished, serving in many capacities. He served almost exclusively as a full back, making the number 2 shirt his own, and he forged a memorable defensive partnership with Terry Caldwell.
Born in Cumnock on 2nd October 1936 he was quickly spotted and represented Scotland Schoolboys in 1953 at the age of 16. He left school to become a miner and filled his spare time by playing football for Boswell Thistle in the local leagues. In 1956 he signed for Falkirk, winning the Scottish Cup in 1957, before signing for Glasgow Rangers prior to the start of the 57/58 season for just one thousand pounds. He spent most of his time at Ibrox in the reserves and had few qualms about making the move to St Johnstone in 1960. It was in 1961 that Hugh's playing career finally got back on track.
United manager Ivor Powell brokered a free transfer agreement with the 'Super J's' in the 1961 close season and brought Hugh Neil to Brunton Park. He made his debut in a 2-1 home win against Aldershot on the 19th August and, despite a bad run in April 1962, United still managed to finish 4th and win promotion to Division Three. Hugh had played every game, making 51 appearances in total, and was now firmly established in the back line. He did not have the pace or the dribbling skills to make him an attacking full back in the true sense of the concept, but his intelligence when reading the game and distributing the ball were second to none.
The 1962/63 season proved to be a tricky one as United struggled in the higher division. Hugh made 40 apearances and the defence in which he was a part took too long to adjust to the faster pace and trickier forward lines of Division Three. They conceded 89 goals, including a 5-1 away drubbing at Watford and, worse, a 5-2 home clattering against Bristol City. They finished second bottom and dropped back down to Division Four with their tails between their legs. The fans didn't realise it but, as disappointing as it was, some very valuable lessons had been learned from this campaign.
Hugh missed only 1 game in the 1963/64 season, playing 52 in total, and made a massive contribution as United finished in a commanding second spot. The team scored 113 league goals (Hughie Mac was scoring for fun up front) which included two very satisfying victories against Hartlepool (6-0 away and 7-1 at home). The Neil/Caldwell combination at the back was really coming in to its own and the strikers benefitted from the solid foundation on which their play was built. 1964/65 season brought 49 more appearances and Hugh's first goal for the club. He got the last in a 4-0 home win over Barnsley on 28th November 1964. It was perhaps very fitting that Hugh Neil scored in what was one of the best seasons this club has ever enjoyed. The team clinched the Third Division Championship in dramatic fashion, beating Mansfield 3-0 at home in the final game to ensure that the trophy came to Brunton Park.
The 1965/66 campaign saw Hugh struggle with injury and he made only 21 appearances. His calming influence was much missed at the back and United's first 13 League away games suffered because of it. They lost every one, in fact, managing only 1 away win all season. Never-the-less, the team coped with most of what was thrown at them and they finished a creditable 14th at the end of their first season in Division Two.
Hugh scored his second and last goal for the club in the 1966/67 season, yet another fantastic adventure for the club. He got the first in a 3-0 home win over Crystal Palace on 17th December 1966 from a rare foray into the opposition penalty box. His strength and poise at the back were by now customary fare, and it most definitely permeated throughout the team. Flowing and attractive football took United to 3rd place in Division Two, so close to the ultimate prize.
1967/68 was a stop/start affair for Hugh as he fought with a recurring injury. Despite a constant and ever worsening back pain he still made 35 appearances, helping his team to a tenth spot finish. 1968/69 was to be Hugh's farewell to professional football. In fact, he made just 6 apearances, his last on the 24th September 1968 being a 3-0 defeat in the League Cup at home to Leicester City. He retired from playing in early October and became United's first ever full time scout. From there he graduated to the coaching staff, taking charge of the reserves. It was whilst on a scouting mission to Meadowbank Thistle, as part of that job, in November 1978 that he was involved in a car crash. The accident on the A74 proved to be worse than first feared and Hugh later died from the injuries sustained in the impact.
It was a fine and decent gesture made by the club on the opening of the new Sports Centre behind the Waterworks terrace in 1979 that they took the unanimous decision to name it in memory of one of the club's most loyal servants. It stands to this day as a memorial to a fine footballer, an adopted Cumbrian and a genuine United hero.
