i spoke to neil about this earlier this year , years ago he wanted the game but he said at the time when i spoke to him that he didnt anymore.
if he was suddenly offered one that may be a different story though
he had testimonial dinners and a testimonial year without the game. it wasn't rochdale he got the money for, he was told sign for preston and he'd get £3,000 cash sum. this was instead of the testimonial in the club's eyes and recorded in the club's records as so... however young thought it was part of the deal, he would move to help the club and big mal had verbally promised him a game although nothing was ever promised in writing. franny was his mate and even franny couldn't deliver a testimonial for him, because it was in the club records that the payment was neil's "testimonial" if you like... and neil didn't force the isue because he didn't want to be in a position where his mate franny woudl have to turn him down... having said that franny has helped out neil a few times with a few quid here and there...
i think with neil's health here there is a way out for the club.
neil has a better relationship with the club now, attending matches etc with his wife and he certainly wouldn't want to go back to the days of getting out the begging bowl. it was ok if it led up toa game but the fans wouldn't go for that anymore. thy ahve done that already ... and bought his book, but they would support a game in his honour.
the problem city have got is that neil has had 2 or 3 occasions where he has had "testimonial dinners" and various events. it may get one or two players back-up if he was getting "favourable" treatment.
but the man's problem is that he has had a lack of self-esteem and putting the game on would be about righting wrongs and i think the club should look at he big picture, see what a pr victory they could get from this and do it once an for all. they surely can make an exception in this one case.
no one man is bigger than the club but without his contribution we would have a much poorer history really...
it would be win-win for everyone
stage 1) fans approach the former players association and make sure all the former players agree it is a good idea
stage 2) get the osc / csa to say they would support a game for him
stage 3) approach neil and the club and say the support is there for it. designate a future pre-season game as the official testimonial , (no need for a testimonial year as he's had one) and like someone else said, get him on the pitch for a wave and job's a good'un
i say approach neil stage 3 because he is probably sick of things being started and not happening, let the momentum build first and see if the club are willing to consider it...
the club don't need the money now but if they wanted to negotiate something such as a donation from the takings to cover his medical costs, i think even that would be a good outcome for neil...<br /><br />-- Wed May 19, 2010 12:01 pm --<br /><br />ok i have just spoke to him on the phone, 12.45 today... he is already aware of the fans renewed interest in a game... officially he wouldn't ask for one now but deep down he would be very grateful even though it may be bitter sweet at this time as he may lose his leg...
he goes back to the specialist in a few weeks time
then will then decide whether to have one lst try with a bypass or to amputate.
neil says its looking like amputation as the veins are so bad, the circulation is so poor it may not work now....
he even joked with gallows humour "at least i can go to the pub because i'll be permanently legless" - i just said i can't believe you are joking about it
it's grim... he would need money to improve his quality of life if this happens as they would have to make adaptions to the house etc...
if it's going to happen it should happen right away really as he needs help right away
