Cornelius "Neil" Duffy (born 5 June 1967) is a Scottish football coach and former professional footballer who played in defence and midfield for Dundee United, Falkirk, Dundee, Ayr United and Dumbarton. He was appointed assistant manager of Troon in August 2015.[2] He is now the manager of Viewfield Rovers in the SSMAFL.

Neil Duffy
Neil Duffy, when Troon F.C. Asst. Manager (October 2015)
Personal information
Full name Cornelius Duffy
Date of birth (1967-06-05) 5 June 1967 (age 56)
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland
Position(s) Defender/Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Shamrocks
1985 Dundee United 0 (0)
1985–1989 Shamrocks
1989–1990 Dundee United 0 (0)
1990–1993 Falkirk 121 (19)
1993–1996 Dundee 107 (11)
1996–1999 Dundee United 35 (1)
1999–2002 Ayr United 79 (12)
2002–2004 Dumbarton[1] 32 (0)
Managerial career
2013–2015 Troon Under-19s
2015 Troon (Assistant Manager)
2015–2018 Whitletts Victoria
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Early life edit

Neil Duffy was born in Glasgow on 5 June 1967, but brought up in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. His father, also named Neil Duffy, was himself a professional footballer in Scotland and South Africa. Neil junior played local amateur football for Shamrocks, where his father was coach.

Playing career edit

Duffy began his professional career with Dundee United at the age of 17 after passing a first team trial whilst on holiday in 1985. Soon afterwards, however, he returned to South Africa due to homesickness. In South Africa he again played for Shamrocks. He returned to Dundee United during the 1989-90 season but left for Falkirk without making a first team appearance. Duffy spent three years at Falkirk before moving to Dundee in 1993–94, where he stayed for a similar time. During his time at Dundee, he captained the side to the 1995 Scottish League Cup Final but was unsuccessful.[3]

In August, Duffy rejoined Dundee United for a £200,000 transfer fee,[4] finally making his first team debut in his third spell at the club. Like his previous two clubs, Duffy gave three years of service before moving on, this time to Ayr United. During his time at Ayr United, Duffy was able to help the team to two consecutive Scottish Cup semi-finals and the 2002 League Cup final. In 2002–03, Duffy moved to Dumbarton, where he stayed until retiring in 2004. His time at Dumbarton provided his one and only red card which came in his last ever appearance.[citation needed]

Coaching career edit

After some time coaching at Ayr United's youth academy, Duffy was appointed as Troon under-19 coach in May 2013. He became assistant manager of the club in August 2015[5] before departing in December 2015.[6]

On 15 December 2015, Duffy was named manager of Whitletts Victoria.[7] He resigned from the role in January 2018.[8]

Honours edit

Falkirk

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ McAllister, Jim (2002). The Sons of the Rock – The Official History of Dumbarton Football Club. Dumbarton: J&J Robertson Printers.
  2. ^ "New Management Structure - Troon FC". troonfc.com. Archived from the original on 8 September 2015.
  3. ^ McKinney, David (27 November 1995). "Dodds and Shearer end Aberdeen's wait". The Independent. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  4. ^ "Duffy decides to cross the road and join United ranks". The Herald. 7 August 1996. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  5. ^ "New management structure". Troon Football Club. 10 August 2015. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  6. ^ "Neil Duffy Moves on - Troon FC". troonfc.com. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015.
  7. ^ "Home". whitlettsvictoria.com.
  8. ^ McConnell, Stewart (9 January 2018). "Whitletts Vics rocked as boss Neil Duffy steps down". Largs and Millport Weekly News. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  9. ^ McKinney, David (13 December 1993). "Football: Falkirk find their fire". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2021.

External links edit