Neal Anthony Trotman (born 11 March 1987) is an English former professional footballer who played as a central defender.
Born in Levenshulme, Manchester, England, Trotman started his football career at grassroots club Fletcher Moss Rangers. He then joined Burnley and progressed through the club's youth system. He captained the club's youth side to reach the Alliance Cup final but lost. However, the following year, he was released by Burnley at the age of 18 and was soon picked up by Oldham Athletic.
After spending two months on the substitute bench in the first team, Trotman made his professional debut (and Oldham), coming on as a substitute for Stefan Stam in the second half, in a 2âÂÂ1 win over Cheltenham Town on 4 November 2006. In his second appearance for the side, he scored his first goal for the club in an FA Cup tie against Kettering Town, in a 4âÂÂ3 win. With his chances limited, he was sent out on loan to Halifax Town for the remainder of the 2006âÂÂ07 season. By the time he joined Halifax Town on loan, Trotman made two appearances for the side and signed a new deal, keeping him until the end of the season.
Trotman made his Halifax Town debut on 23 January 2007 against York City, starting the whole game, in a 1âÂÂ1 draw. He then scored three goals in three matches between 17 February 2007 and 24 February 2007, scoring against Stafford Rangers, Weymouth and Kidderminster Harriers. Trotman became a first team regular for Halifax Town until he suffered a hamstring injury that kept him out for six weeks. On 7 April 2007 he made his return from injury, starting the whole game, in a 1âÂÂ0 win over Cambridge United. At the end of the 2006âÂÂ07 season, Trotman made twelve appearances and scoring two times for the side.
Trotman's chances at the beginning of the 2007âÂÂ08 season were also limited until injuries hit the Latics' defence. Trotman then found himself in a string of first team matches, impressing the manager and the fans in the process. He was quickly hailed a "hot prospect" by the fans and became a first team regular for the side. Trotman then scored his first goal of the season, coming against Doncaster Rovers in the first round of the FA Cup, which saw both drew 2âÂÂ2. However, in the first round of the FA Cup replay, he was sentâÂÂoff for a second bookable offence, which saw Oldham Athletic win 2âÂÂ1. Trotman then scored his second goal of the season against Leeds United in Oldham's 3âÂÂ1 win at Elland Road; however, he missed their historic 1âÂÂ0 win over Everton at Goodison Park due to suspension after accumulating five yellow cards. His good aerial ability matched by his athleticism, strength and sharpness attracted scouts from clubs in higher divisions. With interest growing in Trotman, Oldham faced a tough fight to keep hold of him during the transfer window. On 29 January, it had been confirmed that Plymouth Argyle had made an undisclosed fee; however that bid alerted numerous clubs who were tracking his progress to make a move, among those clubs were Preston North End, Derby County, and Blackburn Rovers.
Trotman signed for Preston North End on 30 January 2008 for a fee of ã500,000 (including "sell on" and "after appearances" clauses) on a three-year deal.
After spending three months on the sidelines, he made his Preston North End debut, coming on as a substitute for Sean St Ledger midway through the first half, who suffered an injury, in a 2âÂÂ2 draw against Plymouth Argyle on 19 April 2008. At the end of the 2007âÂÂ08 season, Trotman made three appearances for the side.
However, in the 2008âÂÂ09 season, Trotman suffered a hernia injury that kept him sidelined for the rest of the year. By midâÂÂDecember, he made his return to training and played in the reserve side for several months before being loaned out. For the next two years, Trotman was put on the transfer list by Preston manager Darren Ferguson after returning from a loan spell at League One side Huddersfield Town.
At the end of the 2010âÂÂ11 season, he was released by the club upon expiry of his contract. Trotman was ranked number five by local newspaper Lancashire Live as "the most bizarre signings in the history of Preston North End".
In order to get first team football, he signed a one-month loan deal with Colchester United on 19 March 2009 to gain match fitness. Trotman made his Colchester United debut on 21 March 2009, starting the whole game, in a 1âÂÂ1 draw against Leicester City. During the match, he "dominated both boxes in the air, turning in a man-of-the-match display", resulting from praise by Manager Paul Lambert. Trotman went on to make six appearances for Colchester United.
At the start of the 2009âÂÂ10 season, he made his first start of the Preston North End coming on as a 67-minute substitute and scoring in their 5âÂÂ1 win over Morecambe in the first round of the League Cup. On 20 August 2009, Trotman joined Southampton on loan until January 2010, having rejected a move to Millwall. His first start for the club came in their 1âÂÂ1 draw at home to Brentford on 22 August 2009. Since joining the club, Trotman became a first team regular for the side. His first goal for the club came in a 3âÂÂ1 victory away at Southend United on 9 October 2009. After being sidelined at the start of December, Trotman then scored in a 3âÂÂ1 victory over Exeter City on Boxing Day, 2009. Trotman's last appearance for Southampton came in their 2âÂÂ1 away defeat at Colchester United on 28 December 2009, after making 18 appearances with 17 of them starts and scoring two goals for the club.
In January 2010, he was then loaned out to League One side Huddersfield Town on loan until the end of the season. On 30 January, he made his debut in the 1âÂÂ0 win against Yeovil Town at Huish Park, along with two other of Towns new signings on loan striker Nathan Eccleston and Australian left back Dean Heffernan. He scored his first goal for the club in the 2âÂÂ0 win against Hartlepool United at Victoria Park on 20 February 2010. On 13 March 2010, he scored his first goal at the Galpharm Stadium against Norwich City where Town lost 3âÂÂ1 in the end. Trotman became a regular in the side, replacing vice captain Nathan Clarke partnering captain Peter Clarke in Towns central defence for the second half of the season. After helping the Terriers reach the play-offs, Trotman played in both legs against Millwall, as they lost 2âÂÂ0 loss to Millwall in the semi-finals. After making 23 appearances and scoring twice for the side, Huddersfield Town manager Lee Clark, confirmed he wants to bring Trotman back to the club on a permanent basis after returning to his parent club, saying: "Neal did well in his time here, playing a key role in our improved away form in the second half of the season and we're looking at his situation."
On 25 November 2010, Trotman re-joined his previous club, Oldham Athletic on loan until January 2011. On 3 January 2011 he made his second debut for Oldham Athletic, setting up the club's only goal of the game, in a 1âÂÂ0 loss against Rochdale. Shortly after, his loan with the club was then extended until the end of the season. Since joining Oldham Athletic, Trotman became a first team regular for the side. Despite this, Trotman went on to make 18 appearances for Oldham Athletic while on loan.
Trotman signed for English League One club Rochdale on 14 July 2011 on a two-year contract. Prior to the move, he received "several other offers" before joining Rochdale.
Trotman made his debut for Rochdale in a 2âÂÂ0 loss against Sheffield Wednesday in the opening game of the season. Trotman received his a red card after a second booking offence against his former Oldham Athletics (the club started his career) as Rochdale lost 2âÂÂ0. After the match, Manager Steve Eyre criticised Trotman for his "moments of madness" during the match. He was again at fault against Stevenage on 3 September 2011 when he scored an own goal, in a 4âÂÂ2 loss. Despite this, he continued to regain his first team place for Rochdale until his departure. At the end of the 2011âÂÂ12 season, making twelve appearances for the club, local newspaper Manchester Evening News described Trotman time at Rochdale as "big disappointments".
On 3 November 2011, Trotman joined Chesterfield on a two-month loan deal, with Dean Holden going in the opposite direction. Upon joining the club, he was given a number two shirt for the side.
He made his Chesterfield debut two days later, starting the whole game, in a 2âÂÂ2 draw against Yeovil Town. The deal became permanent on 3 January 2012, having become a first team regular up until this moment. He was made captain of the side by manager John Sheridan for the rest of the season. On 10 March 2012 Trotman scored his first goal for the club, in a 2âÂÂ2 draw against Stevenage. However, he was unavailable to play in the final of the Football League Trophy, having played for Rochdale in the same competition earlier in the season. However, Trotman missed the rest of the 2011âÂÂ12 season, due to a knee injury, as he made 24 appearances and scoring once for the side.
Ahead of the 2012âÂÂ13 season, Trotman returned from injury in the club's preâÂÂseason. At the start of the season, he continued to retain his first team status under the management of Sheridan. After Sheridan sacking, Paul Cook appointed as a new manager and under his management, Trotman's first team was limited, resulting in him placed on the transfer list, along with Craig Westcarr. Trotman returned to the first team on 12 January 2013 after the club's injury crisis in defence and made an impressive performance in a 3âÂÂ0 win over Northampton Town. After the match, Trotman was praised by Cook as "absolutely magnificent" and "manful". Since returning to the first team, he was featured in a number of matches for the side. Later in the 2012âÂÂ13 season, Trotman formed a defensive partner with Liam Cooper. At the end of the 2012âÂÂ13 season, having made 34 appearances, Trotman was among seven players to be released by Chesterfield following his expiry of the contract.
After being released by Chesterfield, Trotman went on trial with Scottish Premiership side Partick Thistle. He was offered a contract by them, but a deal was not agreed and he then had a short trial at Dundee United. He played in a friendly against Wigan Athletic, but was not offered terms. Trotman signed a short-term contract with Plymouth Argyle in August. The move, initially until January 2014, reunited him with Sheridan, who previously signed him at Oldham and Chesterfield.
He made his debut in a League Cup game at Birmingham City the next day, playing 120 minutes, as Plymouth Argyle lost 3âÂÂ2. Since joining the club, Trotman became a first team regular for the side, playing in the centreâÂÂback position. On 25 October 2013 he scored his first goal for the club in a league match at Mansfield Town, which saw Plymouth Argyle won 1âÂÂ0. His handful of first team football resulted in Trotman signing a contract extension with the club until the end of the season. In a match against York City on 15 February 2014, he was sentâÂÂoff in early first half, as Plymouth Argyle lost 4âÂÂ0. After serving a one match suspension, Trotman then scored his second goal for the club, in a 2âÂÂ1 loss against Bristol Rovers on 8 March 2014. At the end of the 2013âÂÂ14 season, making fortyâÂÂeight appearances and scoring two times for the side, Trotman was released by Plymouth Argyle upon expiry of his contract.
On 7 August 2014, Neal agreed to a short-term deal to join Bristol Rovers in the Conference Premier following his release from Plymouth Argyle.
He made his Bristol Rovers debut against Barnet on 12 August 2014, starting a match before coming off at half time, as they lost 2âÂÂ0. Trotman soon became a first team regular for the side at the start of the season. However, at the beginning of November, he suffered ankle injury that kept him out for a month. On 2 December 2014 Trotman returned to the first team from injury, coming on as a first half substitute in a 0âÂÂ0 draw against Wrexham. He then scored his first goal for the club, in a 2âÂÂ1 win over Torquay United on 26 December 2014. However, he was soon found himself away from the club, as he was placed on the substitute bench, and later sidelined with a knee injury for the rest of the season. Despite this, his involvement with Bristol Rovers this season saw the club went on to miss out on the Conference Premier league title on the final day by 1 point but earned promotion via the playoffs, triumphing on penalties against Grimsby Town, securing a return to the football league at the first time of asking.
After making 19 appearances and scoring once as the club won promotion, Trotman was released at the end of the 2014âÂÂ15 season and subsequently retired from football aged 28 due to injury problems.
After injury curtailed his career prematurely, Trotman decided to utilise his negative experiences to guide other professional sportsmen with the ups and downs of elite sport.
Alongside a football agency role, Trotman owns a sports psychotherapy consultancy where he helps sportsmen with overcoming issues such as injuries, discrimination and career progression.