With his teenage years interrupted by World War I, he began his career with local junior side Cambuslang Rangers at the end of the conflict and soon moved on East Fife, then playing in the Central League, and was in the team that won the Scottish Qualifying Cup.
[4][5] He joined Birmingham from East Fife in April 1921,[6] and made his debut in the First Division on 17 September 1921 in a 1–1 draw at home to Everton.
[7] Neil returned to Scotland in September 1922 to join Heart of Midlothian of Scottish Division One.
[6][8] After less than a season in Edinburgh he switched to second tier Bo'ness, and at the end of 1923 transferred to Alloa Athletic, his final club before retiring.
This biographical article related to association football in Scotland, about a forward born in the 1890s, is a stub.