Neil Fitzhenry - Player Profile

Local lad Neil progressed through the clubs youth system after being spotted playing for one of the Junior Latics teams. He achieved his ultimate dream when on 16th August 1997 he made his Latics League debut. The game was against Bournemouth at Dean Court in which he was a substitute and the Cherries ran out 2-0 winners. He was to suffer horrible luck with a bad knee injury and he was to make just 1+2 League appearances during the League campaign.

Disaster struck the unfortunate lad when, in his comeback match on 13th April 1999, a home clash against Preston North, his knee took another knock. The injury was enough to end his professional career. He joined his old Latics manager Graham Barrow at Chester City on 10th August 2000 after making just 2+2 League appearances without scoring for his hometown club. He later had spells with Sligo Rovers, Finn Harps, Leigh RMI, Workington Town, Southport and Burscough. After spending almost six years studying sports injuries and playing for the aforementioned Non League teams, he rejoined the club as part of the medical team at the JJB Stadium on 1st June 2006. On the same day Latics also recruited former Latics boss John Benson and ex Boltoin Wanderers player Mark Seagraves to the club’s backroom staff.