Former Fulham and Wales player Alan Neilson joined Norwich City's Academy as Professional Development Phase Coach in August 2015.

He started his professional football career with Newcastle United in 1989 as a trainee, making his first-team debut on 9 March 1991.

After a total of 50 appearances for Newcastle he was transferred to Southampton for £500,000 in June 1995. Neilson was a competent defender who could play at full-back or in the centre, but his career at The Dell was disrupted by frequent managerial changes. He made his debut on 26 August 1995 as a substitute at Everton.

After 55 appearances. he moved to Fulham for £225,000 in November 1997 but suffered injury problems at Craven Cottage making just 29 league appearances in nearly five seasons. In October 2001, Neilson moved to Grimsby Town on a free transfer, but played just 12 games before being released in February 2002.

He joined Luton Town, where he went on to make 57 appearances, Neilson joined Conference Premier club Tamworth in 2006

Neilson left Tamworth in early 2007 to continue his coaching career at both Luton Town and at Barnfield College. He was undecided as to whether to retire from playing or not, but on 23 February 2007, he signed for Salisbury City on a short-term contract

n June 2008, Neilson joined his former club Luton Town as Youth Development Coach and was later given the position of first-team coach alongside Kevin Watson. He had a spell as caretaker manager in October 2009.  Neilson was released from his contract and left the club in July 2013 after five years in various coaching roles

Neilson later joined Cambridge United in December 2013 as assistant coach to former Luton manager Richard Money. He left Cambridge on 11th May 2015.

Neilson was promoted to Norwich's Under-23s Manager in September 2021 following the departure of David Wright to MK Dons.

He was capped five times for Wales, four of which occured whilst he was at Newcastle.