Quick Facts
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Neil Banfield (born 20 January 1962 in Poplar, London) is an English football player and coach. He is currently the first-team coach of Arsenal F.C..
Playing Career
As a footballer, Banfield played as a centre half, playing for Crystal Palace from 1979 to 1981 and Leyton Orient during the 1983 to 1984 season. He also had a spell at Australian side Adelaide City as well. Whilst at Palace, Banfield featured for England's national youth football team.
Managerial Career
After retiring from playing he entered coaching, and joined Arsenal in 1997. Until 2004, he coached and managed various youth teams at Arsenal, winning two FA Youth Cups, an FA Premier Academy League U17 title in 1999-00 and an Academy League U19 title in 2003–04. He succeeded Eddie Niedzwiecki as Arsenal Reserves coach after the former's departure for Blackburn Rovers in September 2004. He was also Republic of Ireland U21 assistant manager under Don Givens between April 2004 and May 2005. On 24 May 2012 it was announced that Neil Banfield became the first-team coach for Arsenal.