Neil dropped down from a much higher standard to join the club's reserve squad at the request of Gerry brislin. He showed a tremendous maturity with all the young players around him and seemed to excel in his surroundings. At the end of the season he was perhaps the difference between the team finishing top three and winning the league. He made 24 appearances for the team, joint second and scored 7 good goals. He finished second in the Man of the Match with 17 points and would have been top had Andy Djemal not had such a good season. But he did enough to earn the Managers Player award for 2002.

2002 - 2003

Neil moved to Wales after only six games for the Reserves. He kept in touch but played no further part in the season.

2003 - 2004

Neil had an operation over the summer and rehabbed locally, and recovered sufficiently to have an outstanding season for the 1st team. He made seventeen appearances, one as a sub, plus one start for the Reserves. He scored seven goals to finish top of the Golden Boot table, and received three 1st place, two 2nd place, and two 3rd place M.O.M. awards to finish top of this table as well.