Neal Eardley
Neal Eardley arrived at Sincil Bank in the summer of 2017 with a CV that looked far too good for League Two, but also with an injury record that explained why he was available to a newly promoted side on a short-term contract. He had played more than 100 league games for Blackpool, including 31 in the Premier League, but once he left Bloomfield Road in 2013 his career had been repeatedly interrupted by serious problems.
His three years at Birmingham City were particularly brutal. Eardley started the first seven games of 2013/14 before suffering a ruptured medial ligament and partial ACL tear against Ipswich Town, an injury that effectively ended his season. The following campaigns brought little respite, with a dislocated shoulder, a groin problem and then further cruciate ligament damage restricting him to just 21 appearances in all competitions during those three years.
There was little evidence immediately afterwards that those problems were behind him. A short spell with Hibernian produced just two substitute appearances, while Northampton Town gave him ten league outings before releasing him in May 2017.
What followed was one of the great examples of City finding value where there appeared to be considerable risk. Eardley went straight into the side at Wycombe Wanderers and, rather than his body breaking down again, became extraordinarily reliable. He played 54 times in all competitions during his first season, was voted City’s Player of the Season and earned a new contract, before making another 47 appearances as we won League Two in 2018/19 and being named in the PFA Team of the Year.
Some great names there from the past including my favourite GH. Goid article.