An article was written by Dave Bowen for Phil Neals Testimonial Brochure.

When the clubs were clamouring to sign Phil neal the schoolboy prospect, I was the man who warned them off on Northampton’s behalf.

In those days I was Northampton’s Team Manager,and I had quickly spotted the potential of this strong local lad. We signed him on schoolboy forms, and as soon as I could he joined the staff.

Then, when Phil was unsettled and ready to move on, I backed my judgement again. By then I was no longer the team boss, but the club secretary, and l told everyone he was definitely one to take,a player with a

future.

In fact I never told Bob Paisley personally,although the word certainly found its way to Anfield,and I shall always remember the day my office phone rang to bring Bob on with an enquiry.

He had just taken over from “Shanks” and, as it turned out Phil was to become his first signing for Liverpool.

In fact the call came just in time because Phil had been itching to be away. I think he was disillusioned at Northampton and as a youngster was not always in the team.

He was talking of moving to Kettering Town, Aldershot were interested and so were several other lower division clubs. I told Phil he was crazy,and he waited a little longer. The Aldershot offer is still on file in my office.Their bid was £7, 000 and if we had taken itup, Phil’s career would have gone a very different path.

What Bob was really after was an”off the record” chat. He wanted me to compare Phil with another player I knew well and who washigh on the Liverpool list of possible signings.

Anyway, I was soon on the road,driving Phil to Liverpool to take the first step towards football fame. As we went I warned him not to ask for anything silly because this was his big chance.

I need not have worried. He signed at once,much as I did when I moved from Northampton to Arsenal early in my own playing career. When I got there I didn’t evenask the wages, I just signed before theychanged their minds. I reckon Phil was much the same.

Over the years a manager signs many young players and,of course,the percentage of them who even make the grade is verysmall. So a player like Phil naturally stands out,and around the same period I signed several more with promise including JohnGregory who has gone on to build his own career at the top level.

At Northampton my memories of Phil are of a strong young player prepared to playanywhere,and of some hectic driving when he took the lads to the training ground in a van,those of them who were brave enough to try it a second time.

We were always chasing him,and several of the others,about the way they drove that van. They even used the pitch for drivingpractice.

I hope Phil looks back on those days with some affection,and for my part I am delighted that he has found such success with Liverpool and England.

Apart from possessing the natural ability to reach the top,he has turned into the complete professional,and that is the highest tribute I can award.

Dave Bowen