Lee Carsley tribute to ‘true example’ Phil Neville as skipper announces Everton exit

Chelsea’s Joe Cole and Everton’s Lee Carsley battle for the ball as Phil Neville looks on

LEE CARSLEY says Phil Neville wins the respect of his Everton team-mates because he always leads by example.

The Blues captain has announced he will leave the club at the end of the campaign after eight seasons at Goodison Park.

Carsley says Neville displayed real character by making the move from Manchester United in August 2005 and believes the 36-year-old has become a better player by swapping Old Trafford for Goodison.

Neville was made Everton captain in January 2007 when David Weir moved to Rangers and Carsley said he quickly gained the admiration of the squad as the new skipper with his consummate approach to training and playing.

“Phil became a better player when he came to Everton,” said Carsley, who made 184 appearances for Everton before leaving in May 2008.

“It is a massive decision to leave Manchester United but it says everything about his character that he was willing to leave.

“But the move really improved him as a player.

“The manager made him captain when there were still some really established players at the club such as Alan Stubbs and Big Duncan Ferguson.

“He is a captain that leads by example. He was well liked in the dressing room and a character.

“His attitude off the pitch was excellent, he was a good trainer and he was never late. Phil was always the first at training and always the last to leave.”