English footballer
Liam Christian James O'Neil (born 31 July 1993) is an English coach and former footballer who played as a midfielder. He is currently under-18s manager at Cambridge United.
Career
West Bromwich Albion
O'Neil is a product of the West Bromwich Albion youth academy, having joined from Non-League club Histon as a youth player.[3] In May 2012, O'Neil signed his first professional contract with the club.[4][5]
O'Neil then debuted for West Brom in a crucial 2–1 victory over Swansea City on 15 March 2014,[6] and then went on to make two further appearances from the bench against Stoke City[7] and Norwich City respectively.[8] He subsequently was rewarded for his progress with a new deal in May 2014, officially putting pen to paper on a one-year contract, plus a further year's option in the club's favour, on 1 July 2014.[9] He made his Football League Cup debut on 24 September 2014 against Hull City; West Brom ended up winning the match 3–2. O'Neil's performance was praised by Manager Alan Irvine.[10] He made another appearance for West Brom in the League Cup against AFC Bournemouth on 28 October 2014 though West Brom ended up losing the match 2–1.[11]
At the end of the 2014–15 season, O'Neil had his contract extended for another season.[12]
Loan spells
O'Neil gained professional experience during a loan spell at Finnish club VPS in summer 2012.[13] He quickly made an impact for the club in the first team and was named May's Team of the Month.[14] O'Neil would score his first goal for the club, in a 3–1 win over Turun Palloseura on 14 July 2012.[15] O'Neil went on to make eighteen appearances for VPS before returning to England in early August.[citation needed]
In late-November, O'Neil joined Football League One side Scunthorpe United on a one-month loan.[16] Making three appearances so far at the club earned O'Neil a loan extension until 13 January 2014.[17] O'Neil then scored his first goal for the club, in a 2–1 win over Rochdale on Boxing Day.[18] Soon after, O'Neil's loan spell with Scunthorpe United was soon extended until the end of the season.[19] A few weeks later on 31 January 2015, O'Neil scored his second goal for the club, in a 4–1 win over Leyton Orient.[20] However, O'Neil was dropped from the squad before it was revealed he injured his ankle, which saw him returned to his parent club early.[21][22]
Chesterfield
On 24 August 2015, O'Neil joined League One side Chesterfield for an undisclosed fee.[23]
Cambridge United
On 31 January 2017, O'Neil joined Cambridge United on a three-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[24]
In April 2018 O'Neil was awarded the 2017/18 EFL Sky Bet League Two PFA Player in the Community in recognition of his community work with Cambridge United Community Trust.[25]
In August 2019 O'Neil was fined £3,000 by the Football Association after admitting "improper conduct".[26]
O'Neil signed a new one-year contract in May 2022, signing for a seventh season.[27]
Boreham Wood
On 11 August 2023, O'Neil signed for National League club Boreham Wood.[28]
Coaching career
On 8 December 2023, O'Neil retired from football and returned to Cambridge United and took up the role as Under 18s manager.[29]
Personal life
Born in Newbridge, Kildare, Ireland, O'Neil has said he is open to play for Wales national football team, as his mother is from Mumbles, Wales.[30]
Career statistics
[31]
References
External links