Home
Former Bolton Wanderers chief scout Ian McNeill has passed away at the age of 85.
A key figure at Burnden Park during Bruce Rioch’s golden era in the early 1990s, the Glaswegian used his noted Scottish connections to sign the likes of John McGinlay and Andy Walker.
McNeill had a long playing career as an inside forward, featuring for Aberdeen, Brighton, Leicester City and Southend United.
He then moved into management, enjoying two spells with Ross County and Wigan Athletic – leading the Latics into the Football League in 1978.
A three-year spell at Shrewsbury Town between 1987 and 1990 saw him work with future Wanderers McGinlay, Tony Kelly and Michael Brown.
He also worked at Chelsea as assistant manager to John Neal, unearthing talents such as David Speedie, Pat Nevin and Kerry Dixon.
Rioch tapped into his lengthy list of contacts, appointing him as his right-hand-man at Millwall.
McNeill followed Rioch to Bolton, heading up the recruitment department which assembled one of the most fondly-remembered teams in the club’s history.
He also scouted for Chelsea, Norwich, Wigan and Leeds United before moving back to Scotland.
Source