"Lofty" attended Pencoed School, New College and UWIC. Neil has played for Neath, Bristol, Coventry, Caerphilly, Wales Crawshays. He went with a Wales Development team to Canada in early 2000's. Joined Newport RFC 2005-06, his only season, making debut as replacement at Glamorgan Wanderers on 3rd September 2005 (Won 18 v 31).