Neil Cox

Scunthorpe United

Cox began his career at his hometown club, the team he supported as a child, Scunthorpe United. Cox was involved with the team from an early age, being allowed to join in pre-season training sessions with the squad at the age of just 11. He was later allowed to train with the first-team by manager Frank Barlow at the age of 13 and was allowed to travel to an away game with the senior players. He gradually progressed through the youth ranks at the club before signing his first professional deal with the club in 1990, being handed a two-year deal, along with fellow youth graduates Graham Alexander and Richard Hall. Cox later revealed that he had been offered deals by other clubs but had remained with Scunthorpe as he was " a local lad and I just wanted to play for my local team." Following a downturn in the club's results, Hall and Cox were brought into the first-team by manager Mick Buxton and the pair's performances attracted attention from a number of clubs. Tottenham Hotspur discussed a potential double transfer for Cox and Hall but Hall later secured a move Southampton. Cox instead joined First Division side Aston Villa in February 1991 for a fee of £400,000, a club record for Scunthorpe at the time, as well as the installation of 2000 new seats at Glanford Park, after just one season with The Iron.

Aston Villa

Cox's move to the Villans progressed rapidly, receiving a call from Scunthorpe assistant manager Bill Green on a Sunday…

Leek Town

In October 2010 he returned to the game after being appointed as the new manager of Leek Town. When the club had injury concerns Cox registered himself as a player with the league. In unexpected circumstances Cox resigned as Leek Town manager after a 1–0 home victory against Quorn, citing personal reasons.

AFC Wimbledon

On 10 October 2012, it was announced that Cox would reunite with former Watford and Cardiff teammate Neal Ardley, a friend of Cox's for over 20 years, as his assistant manager at Football League Two side AFC Wimbledon. Ardley had invited Cox to attend his interview for the managerial position at the club and the pair took charge of the club, replacing Terry Brown who had been sacked by the club after winning just one of the opening seven matches of the 2012–13 season, leaving the Dons in 21st position. Both Neal Ardley and Neil Cox left AFC Wimbledon on 12 November 2018 by mutual consent after a long stretch of defeats and poor team performances.

Scunthorpe United

On 7 August 2020, Cox was confirmed as first team manager of EFL League Two side Scunthorpe United. Following a disappointing start to the 2021–22 season, Cox was sacked on 1 November 2021 with his side sat bottom of the Football League with just eleven points from the first fifteen matches.

York City

On 8 September 2023, Cox was confirmed as assistant manager of York City.

Born in Scunthorpe, as a child, Cox attended Crosby Juniors School and later High Ridge Comprehensive now known as St Lawrence Academy.

Aston Villa

Football League Cup: 1993–94 Middlesbrough

Football League First Division: 1994–95 Football League Cup runner-up: 1996–97 Individual

PFA Team of the Year: 1994–95 First Division