and then added Mickey Thomas in January 1984. This side won the Second Division championship in 1983–84, losing just four league games and securing their place in the top-flight for the first time since 1979. Upon returning to the top tier, Chelsea finished 6th, reached the League Cup semi-finals, and for a time were challenging for a place in Europe, though the events at Heysel that season would have rendered European qualification immaterial anyway. Neal retired at the end of the 1984–85 season due to ill-health and underwent heart surgery in 1986. After retirement as Chelsea manager in June 1985 he was appointed to the Chelsea Board of Directors. On 23 November 2014, Neal died at the age of 82. Managerial statistics References External links John Neal profile at Swindon Town FC 1932 births 2014 deaths Sportspeople from Seaham Footballers from County Durham English footballers Association football defenders Hull City A.F.C. players King's Lynn F.C. players Swindon Town F.C. players Aston Villa F.C. players Southend United F.C. players English Football League players English football managers Wrexham A.F.C. managers Middlesbrough F.C. managers Chelsea F.C. managers English Football League managers Chelsea F.C. non-playing staff