MIDDLESBROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB have paid tribute to their former manager, John Neal, who has died at the age of 82.

Neal succeeded Jack Charlton at Ayresome Park in 1977 and kept Middlesbrough in the old First Division for four seasons before leaving to take charge of Chelsea.

Having previously enjoyed success as manager of Wrexham, who he guided to the quarter-finals of the European Cup Winners’ Cup, Neal built on Charlton’s good work on Teesside despite having to sell star players such as Graeme Souness, David Mills and Stuart Boam.

He broke Middlesbrough’s transfer record three times to recruit Billy Ashcroft, Irving Nattrass and Terry Cochrane, and also brought through Mark Proctor and David Hodgson, who went on to enjoy long and successful careers.

His greatest success as a player came with Aston Villa, who he helped to the Second Division title and League Cup success in the 1960s, and he also enjoyed some notable achievements as a manager with Chelsea, leading the Stamford Bridge club to promotion from the Second Division in 1984.

Born in Silksworth, County Durham, Neal relocated to North Wales after ill health forced him to leave football following a spell as a Chelsea director.

Middlesbrough chief executive Neil Bausor said: “John will always be fondly remembered for building on the good work of Jack Charlton and maintaining the club’s top-flight status in the early Eighties. We send our sincere condolences to his family and friends.”