Neal James Eardley (born 6 November 1988) is a Welsh former international footballer who last played for Cymru Premier champions Connah's Quay Nomads.

Born in Llandudno, Eardley graduated from the youth system at Oldham Athletic to make his first team debut under Ronnie Moore in a 1–1 draw with Scunthorpe United at Boundary Park on 6 May 2006.

However, his season got off to a rough start, when he was sent off in the opening game on 5 August shortly after teammate Chris Taylor was also red carded, as Oldham lost 1–0 to Tranmere Rovers.

[7] In his first season as a regular starter, Eardley made 41 appearances, scoring twice, as the "Latics" qualified for the League One play-offs, but were beaten by Blackpool at the semi-final stage.

[12][13] However Royle left the club and his successor, Dave Penney, signed cover at right-back in apparent anticipation at losing Eardley during the transfer window.

[19] However he was disciplined by Holloway the following month, along with Barry Bannan and Ishmel Demontagnac, when they were seen out at a nightclub in Blackpool following a home defeat to Leicester City, even though Eardley had a knee problem and was due to undergo treatment the next day.

[21] Eardley scored his first goal for the Tangerines with a free kick in a 2–2 draw with Everton in the Premier League at Bloomfield Road on 6 November 2010 – the day of his 21st birthday.

[24] After Blackpool's relegation from the Premier League, Eardley's pay was cut by 50%: Holloway suggested he was "so messed up by the whole thing" that he would be left out of the squad for the opening game of the 2011–12 season.

[25] For the following game, a League Cup first-round tie at Sheffield Wednesday, Eardley, playing in central midfield, captained a weakened side and missed a penalty.

[26] He made his first appearance in the league on 20 August; within two minutes of coming on as a second-half substitute with Blackpool 2–0 down to Brighton & Hove Albion; he set up a goal for Kevin Phillips[27] and went on to produce a "brilliant display" that "helped Pool grab the unlikeliest of draws".

[26][29] He scored a "25-yard screamer into the top corner" in a 2–2 draw with Birmingham City on 26 November which he dedicated to Wales international manager Gary Speed, who died the next day.

[37] He started the first seven games of the 2013–14 season,[38] and was described as "fast emerging as a key player in Birmingham City's new-look system" playing at wing-back under manager Lee Clark.

[46] He made his next first-team appearance on 5 December, in a 2–0 defeat to Huddersfield Town at St Andrew's, started the next four matches, then missed a few weeks with a minor groin problem.

[52] However he was unable to dislodge captain David Gray and left Easter Road shortly before his contract was due to expire, having made only two substitute appearances for the side.

[57][58] After a trial at Port Vale in July 2017,[59] Eardley joined Lincoln City, newly promoted to League Two, on a short-term contract until January 2018.

On 6 June 2009, Eardley made his first appearance in a World Cup match, as Wales beat Azerbaijan 1–0 in their 2010 qualifier at the Tofik Bakhramov Stadium in Baku.

[74] Speaking in December 2007, Eardley told FourFourTwo magazine that he felt his strength was his attacking ability, though he needed to improve on his heading skills.