Neil Parsley
But, he has come to be one of the most popular managers to hold office at the club due to his ability to grind out results and his approachability to players, volunteers and supporters.
Neil, whose playing career span 12 years and featured spells at Leeds United, West Brom, Huddersfield Town, Exeter City and Witton Albion, first ventured into management with local rivals Guiseley in 2000.
He served the Lions for six years – taking them to the First Round of the FA Cup, consistently keeping them in the UniBond Premier along with a West Riding County Cup triumph, all under strict financial constraits.
Despite his success, three local millionaires bought Guiseley and decided to dispense of his services in November 2006, even though the club was riding high at the top of the division.
While Guiseley spectacularly failed to gain promotion, Neil returned to management at UniBond Premier outfit North Ferriby United in January 2007.
Along with achieving the great escape, an East Riding County Cup was won at the KC Stadium in the space of just four months.
However, the following season failed to live up to expectations and Neil amicably parted company with the club in November 2007.
And with Lee Sinnott departing for Port Vale, Deacey needed an assistant and Neil fitted the bill for the fight for survival in the Blue Square Premier.
Neil assisted Deacey carve out some incredible results including the 2-1 win over Cambridge United and the 1-0 success at Torquay United – arguably the club’s greatest ever victory.
Ultimately the club did not survive and after just three wins in 12 of the opening games to the following campaign, Deacey was axed and Neil was asked to step in.
He duly did and led the Celts to four league wins in four – scooping the manager of the month award and securing the job on a permanent basis.
However, it was not plain sailing from there – with the club revealing financial problems and key players began to leave – results began to slide.
A promotion bid soon became a relegation battle, but Neil kept his nerve and guided the club to safety with two games to spare.
He agreed to stay on for the 2009-10 campaign, despite the club falling into administration and having to start the Blue Square North season with minus ten points.
The deficit was quickly wiped and he would later lead the Celts to famous wins at Southport and Droylsden and memorable home victories over AFC Telford and Harrogate Town.
The club was on course to secure safety in the March of the season, but due to administrators Mazars unwillingness to sell to eventual saviour John Palmer, the Celts were booted out of the league.
Neil’s efforts were for nothing, but after revealing he had “unfinished business” he returned to the manager’s role in July 2010 to lead the reformed club’s promotion battle.
