Neil Aspin
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Neil Aspin (born 12 April 1965 in Gateshead) is a former English football defender.
Aspin began his career as a traineee at Leeds United, making his debut at right-back in the 1981-82 season as a 16 year old. Under the management of Allan Clarke he went to make the right-back position his own, until he fell out of favour under Howard Wilkinson, losing his place to new signing Mel Sterland. Having played 207 league games for the club he was sold to Port Vale for £200,000 in July 1989.
At Port Vale, Aspin became a firm favourite of the supporters, taking the club's player of the year award in his first season and playing a leading role in the victorious Autoglass Trophy campaign of 1992-3. The player of the year award was also gained the following season as Vale secured promotion from Division Two. He was also elected to the divisional team of the season as voted for by the Professional Footballers' Association. Aspin continued to be a regular fixture in the Vale side for a number of seasons to come (making 348 league appearnces) and even enjoyed a testimonial featuring Vale supporter Robbie Williams before being allowed to leave in 1999.
Following his departure from Vale, Aspin remained in the Football League with Darlington, managing 51 appearances for the club before a free transfer to Hartlepool United in 2001. Aspin saw out the season at United before leaving the league to sign for Harrogate Town as a player coach. He remained with Town until 2004 when he retired, although he was back at the club halfway through the 2004-5 season as manager [1]. Aspin remains in charge of the Wetherby Road side.
