A striker from Norwich, Neil is a former pupil of Sprowston High School that also produced Danny Mills, Matthew Wright, Paul Clayton, Darren Terrington and myself Steve Whitlam. In 1998/99 he found it hard to break into the Academy side due to the form of Barrington Belgrave and Shaun Carr as well as suffering injuries. With their departure, he played in the pre-season friendlies against other youth sides getting three goals. Youth team coach Keith Webb told the Pink Un that "Billy" is "a grafter and can be a handful to most defences. He has good pace which makes some people believe he has a future as a wide player but .. at the moment I see him a front player".

Neil was released by the club during the latter stages of the 2000/01 campaign. After a season playing in the Anglian Combination for Norwich based side St Andrews, Neil joined Great Yarmouth Town in the summer of 2002. According to their website, his nickname is Metal Mickey on account of the number of plates inserted in his body as a result of injuries!

Neil transferred to Norwich United during the summer of 2003.