Neil Aspin

Leeds United

Born in Gateshead, County Durham, Aspin began his career as a trainee at Leeds United, a club he supported as a boy despite its distance from his hometown. He signed with the club as a schoolboy at the age of 14 and became an apprentice at age 16. He attended Heathfield Senior High School and won Durham County Schools honours and had trials for England Schoolboys. He became the second youngest ever débutante for the club, behind Peter Lorimer, when he played in a 2–0 defeat to Ipswich Town at Elland Road on 20 February 1982 at the age of 16 years, 10 months and 9 days; he was selected by manager Allan Clarke due to suspension to Kenny Burns and injuries to Trevor Cherry, Brian Greenhoff and Neil Firm. He was the subject of a documentary in the Rowan's Report series, aired on ITV on 9 August 1982, a series which focused on some of the country's most successful children. He signed professionally at the age of 17. Leeds were relegated out of the First Division at the end of the 1981–82 season. Aspin made his second appearance for the "Whites" on 4 December 1982, in a 1–0 home defeat by Queens Park Rangers, his first start under new manager Eddie Gray. He went on to make a further 14 Second Division appearances during the 1982–83 season, with the club posting an eighth-place finish in their first season back in the second tier for 19 years. Aspin scored his first senior goal on 17 March 1984, helping to secure a 2–1 home win over Grimsby Town. He featured 26…

A solid defender who could play at centre-back and right-back, Aspin was a good marker and an adept tackler. He was popular with supporters due to his commitment and hard-working style of play, which made up for his lack of technical skill. He was nicknamed "Skull" by Leeds fans, having suffered from hair loss at an early age. In May 2019, he was voted into the "Ultimate Port Vale XI" by members of the OneValeFan supporter website. In December 2025, supporters voted him onto the all-time Port Vale XI on the club's official website.

"Aspo was one of those guys who played with a very basic philosophy. Either the ball or the player could pass him, but never both – and he often preferred to clear the player rather than the ball."

Harrogate Town

Aspin returned to former club Harrogate Town in his first management role on 18 January 2005. He secured a 5–1 win over Ashton United on 12 February, and Town ended the 2004–05 season in sixth place, just one point outside the Conference North play-offs. They secured a play-off place in his first full season, 2005–06, but lost out 1–0 to Stafford Rangers in the semi-finals. Harrogate also played their first match against Football League opposition, taking Torquay United to a replay in the first round of the FA Cup. They again finished in sixth-place in the 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons, missing out by one and then two points respectively. Following a ninth-place finish at the end of the 2008–09 campaign, Aspin decided he could not take the club any further with the budget on offer and announced his decision to leave.

FC Halifax Town

On 28 April 2009, Aspin was appointed manager of Northern Premier League Division One North club FC Halifax Town. In his first season with the "Shaymen", 2009–10, he led them to the Division One North title, winning the league with 100 points, with the team scoring 108 goals. He was named as Manager of the Month for September after his team secured six wins in seven games. He managed Halifax to back-to-back promotions as they secured the Northern Premier League Premier Division title with 98 points in the 2010–11 campaign, again scoring 108 goals. In his first two seasons, the team had only lost six league games,…

Aspin has stated that he wants his players to be "honest" by not feigning injury or otherwise attempting to cheat and that he tries to be respectful towards officials. He also has a reputation for honesty in dealing with the media, giving fair assessments of his team's performances. He does not allow his players to wear gloves during first-team matches. He tends to prefer to play defensive football.