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| Neil Warnock | ||
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| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Neil Warnock | |
| Date of birth | 1 December 1948 | |
| Place of birth | Sheffield, England | |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | |
| Playing position | Winger | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Crystal Palace | |
| Senior career1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 1967–1969 1969–1971 1971–1973 1973–1975 1975–1976 1976–1978 1978 1978–1979 |
Chesterfield Rotherham United Hartlepool United Scunthorpe United Aldershot Barnsley York City Crewe Alexandra |
24 (2) 52 (5) 60 (5) 72 (7) 37 (6) 57 (10) 4 (0) 21 (1) |
| Teams managed | ||
| 1980–1981 1981–1986 1986–1989 1989–1993 1993 1993–1995 1995–1997 1997–1998 1998–1999 1999–2007 2007– |
Gainsborough Trinity Burton Albion Scarborough Notts County Torquay United Huddersfield Town Plymouth Argyle Oldham Athletic Bury Sheffield United Crystal Palace |
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1 Senior club appearances and goals |
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Neil Warnock[1] (born 1 December 1948) is an English former professional footballer and current manager of Crystal Palace.
Since becoming a manager in 1981 he has managed several English football league clubs including Huddersfield Town, Notts County, Plymouth Argyle and most successfully, an eight year spell at Sheffield United.
Contents |
Playing career
Warnock played for Chesterfield, Rotherham United, Hartlepool United, Scunthorpe United, Aldershot, Barnsley, York City, and Crewe Alexandra, making a total of 326 league appearances in an eleven year playing career. At Hartlepool, he won the club's player of the season award in 1972.[2]
Managerial career
Non-League
After being involved in Sunday League coaching, his first full managerial job was with Northern Premier League side Gainsborough Trinity in 1981. Following this, he managed Burton Albion and Scarborough. At Scarborough, he won the Football Conference title in 1987, making them the first team to win automatic promotion to the Football League follow the abolition of the re-election system.
With Mick Jones
He had earlier spent time as a coach at Peterborough United, where he met Posh assistant boss Mick Jones, who would become his own long-time assistant. Warnock then became manager of Notts County with Jones as his assistant, and the pair achieved successive promotions to get County into the top flight in 1991 (with Warnock turning down lucrative offers to manage Chelsea and Sunderland during this time), before Warnock left in the 1992-93 after County's relegation had cost them a place in the new Premier League.
In March 1993, he took over as 'consultant' at Torquay United, saving the club from relegation from the Football League. Warnock resumed his partnership with Jones at Huddersfield Town who were also promoted as play-off winners to Division One (as well as reaching the final of the Football League Trophy).
He quit Huddersfield just days after their promotion, and made a swift and surprising return to management at Plymouth Argyle, who had just been relegated to Division Three. Warnock and Jones achieved yet another promotion to get the Pilgrims into Division Two (via the playoffs).
Going it alone
Warnock then left Plymouth, with Jones taking over as Pilgrims boss. Warnock rounded out the 1990s with Oldham Athletic and Bury.
Sheffield United
He was appointed as manager of his boyhood club Sheffield United on 2 December 1999. In 2002-03, Warnock led Sheffield United to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and League Cup as well as the First Division play-off final, with the Blades beaten 3-0 by Wolverhampton Wanderers. This was the first time in his management career that he had lost a play-off contest, as he had achieved four promotions via the playoffs in the 1990s.
In 2005, Jones resumed the partnership by taking up the assistant's post at Bramall Lane, and at the end of the 2005-06 season the club were promoted to the Premiership as runners-up in The Championship.
The Blades performed well in their expected relegation battle, and for a long time looked to be heading for survival. However, a turning point in the season occurred with victories for both West Ham and Wigan on the final day of the season condemning Warnock's side to relegation. Warnock claimed in his autobiography that minutes after the final game of the season, actor and Blades fan Sean Bean burst into his office, blaming Warnock for the team's relegation in a "foul-mouthed tirade" while Warnock's wife and daughter were present. Bean denied this, calling Warnock "bitter" and "hypocritical", and arguing that he would never use such language in front of another man's wife and children. Warnock resigned from the club following relegation to take some time out of football. A major factor that caused Sheffield United's relegation was that Fulham beat Liverpool on the penultimate game of the season. Liverpool rested many first team players, due to them not being in contention for the Premier League and concentrating on the Champions League and subsequently lost 1-0. Liverpool started the day in fourth place and finished the league a week later in third place. Warnock was frustrated that Liverpool played a weaker team; because it did not give the teams in the relegation battle an equal chance of survival.
Crystal Palace
He spoke to Milan Mandarić about the vacant managerial role at Leicester City in the summer, but was never handed the job.[3] Simon Jordan spoke to Warnock about taking over at Crystal Palace following the sacking of Peter Taylor and, after initially not being keen over the job, he returned to football management with Palace on 11 October 2007.[4][5] with his personal friend Simon Jordan being owner and Chairman certainly a help in him getting the job. Jones returned from his own sabbatical to join Warnock's team as assistant. Under Warnock and Jones, Palace made a massive turn-around, moving from relegation battlers to promotion contenders in the space of six months, with Warnock's use of youngsters a major factor in the improved performances and results. Palace made the play-offs in the end, but were beaten at the semi-final stage by Bristol City, who went on to lose to Hull City in the final.
Warnock has stayed on for the 2008-09, but on taking the job a year earlier he made it clear that the Crystal Palace job would be his last managerial role in football. He plans to retire in 2010, despite him not ruling out a return to Sheffield United.
Disputes
Warnock, who is qualified as a referee,[6] but has never officiated at the very top level, is renowned for his outbursts, which some see as controversial. He has had high profile disputes with many inside the game, some of which are detailed below.
Players
- Stéphane Henchoz – Over an alleged spitting incident in the League Cup semi-final between Sheffield United and Liverpool.[7]
- Peter Swan - A player for Warnock at Argyle and Bury, he called Warnock "a prick".[8]
- Geoff Horsfield – Warnock told him he was unwanted after a permanent deal had been agreed to bring him to Sheffield United from West Bromwich Albion in a £1.2m deal, Warnock reportedly told him he didn't want him anywhere near Sheffield United and to go and train with West Brom.
- Stephen Hunt – After a match against Reading Warnock condemned the behaviour of the Royals' Stephen Hunt. He is said to have commented: "Hunt has proved on a few occasions that he's a clever type, and his challenge on Nick Montgomery earlier in the game wasn't clever either".[9] He also said he looked like he shouldn't be holding a pint.
- Michael Johnson – In a 2005–06 Championship game with Derby County, Warnock reacted to a challenge by Johnson on Paul Ifill and was accused of playing a part in getting the opposition player sent off. This led to a face to face confrontation between the two and the Derby fans were incensed by Warnock's actions. Warnock asserted that the tackle was a bad one and that his reaction had made no difference to the outcome.[10]
- Shefki Kuqi – During a 2007–08 Championship game with Wolves, Kuqi was spotted gesturing at Palace fans whilst being substituted. As a result, the Finnish international was transfer-listed and fined two weeks' wages, with Warnock stating "I will be transfer-listing him immediately. I don't accept things like that, so that is the end of the matter."[11] However it was not, as Kuqi would return the following season after an injury crisis and would gain popularity with the Palace fans.
Managers
- Gérard Houllier – See Stéphane Henchoz above. Also involved an argument about United's allegedly physical approach against Liverpool in the League Cup Semi Final 1st leg, a match in which Liverpool had 5 men cautioned to United's one.[12]
- Phil Thompson – See Stéphane Henchoz above.
- Gary Megson – Following allegations that Warnock tried to void a 2002 match by reducing his team to six players. For details of this match, see Battle of Bramall Lane. Warnock later commented he "wouldn't piss on him if he caught fire."
- Stan Ternent – A longstanding feud. Most recently in 2001, when Warnock sent his then assistant manager (and current Sheffield United manager) Kevin Blackwell to listen to his half time teamtalk .[13]
- Mick Jones – A long-term assistant to Warnock, the pair did not speak for several years after Jones opted to remain at Plymouth Argyle as manager after Warnock was sacked, rather than follow him to Oldham Athletic.[14] They are now a managerial partnership again at Crystal Palace.[15]
- Joe Kinnear – Kinnear remarked that Warnock was a 'prat' after a 1-1 draw between Sheffield United and Kinnear's Nottingham Forest in 2004-05.[16]
- Kevin Blackwell – Warnock told the press that he wished he'd had the money to spend on players that Blackwell had in the season 2004-2005.[17] Blackwell had previously been Warnock's assistant at Sheffield United for several years and indeed Warnock helped Blackwell out for years, working with him at Scarborough, Huddersfield, Torquay, Plymouth et al. Another dispute occurred on 18 April 2006 in a match between Leeds United and Sheffield United at Bramall Lane when Warnock was sent from the touch-line after making a comment to Blackwell over a tackle by Gary Kelly on a Sheffield United player that Warnock deemed a bookable offence, and would have resulted in the Leeds player being sent off.[18]
- Nigel Worthington – on 18 March 2006 Worthington apparently refused to shake hands with Warnock resulting in Warnock sticking two fingers up at him, an incident over which the FA charged Warnock with improper conduct.[19]
- Wally Downes – On 20 January 2007, in a match against Reading, Keith Gillespie was sent off seconds after he came onto the pitch, for swiping Reading's Stephen Hunt in the face. After a protracted departure from the pitch, Warnock performed a stamping motion on the sideline directed towards referee Mark Halsey - referring to an earlier tackle made by Steve Sidwell which Warnock felt warranted a red card as well. Reading coach Wally Downes took exception to his actions, and pushed Warnock, who did not retaliate, causing a mass brawl on the sidelines. Both Warnock and Downes were sent to the stands as a result. Later Wally Downes admitted a misconduct charge to the FA,[20] was fined £2,000 and given a one-match touchline ban.
- Gareth Southgate – Accused Southgate on Sky Sports News (shown 19 March 2007) of fielding a weaker starting XI against relegation-threatened Manchester City. Warnock claimed Southgate was "helping out" a friend, City manager Stuart Pearce.[21]
- Rafael Benítez – Warnock has repeatedly voiced his dissatisfaction with the fact that Rafael Benitez fielded a weakened side against Fulham at the end of the 2006/2007 season (Liverpool FC at the time had nothing to play for in the Premier League, and were preparing for the Champion's League Final). Warnock felt the resulting Fulham win caused Sheffield to be relegated to the Championship, even though Warnock himself subsequently failed to win Sheffield's final league game, which would have helped them stay up eventually. Even a year later, Warnock has failed to put the incident behind him and stated that "he wished that Benitez never won anything while at Liverpool"[citation needed]It is notable that Liverpool did not play any second choice players in both fixtures between the clubs that season.
Referees
- Rob Shoebridge – Warnock went berserk after Rob Shoebridge disallowed Crystal Palace FC's clear goal by Freddie Sears when it hit the stanchion at the bottom corner of the net and returned onto the field.
- David Elleray – Warnock called him a "bald-headed bloke", whilst criticizing his decision making ability.[22]
- Graham Poll – Following what Warnock believed to be a mistake by Poll which led to Arsenal scoring in the FA Cup semi-final in 2003.[23]
- In a Sky Sports documentary, Warnock agreed to be filmed in a personal documentary about his life on and off the pitch. During a match at home to Ipswich Town, Warnock was seen to swear at and verbally abuse one of the assistant referees (also telling the then Ipswich manager that the assistant 'had been his best player'), perhaps revealing why Warnock is seen as one of the more controversial football managers in England.[24]
- Richard Beeby – Warnock heavily criticised Beeby in February 2008 after he played on for longer than the designated added time at the end of a match between Bristol City and Palace, which led to Bristol City equalising 25 seconds after full-time should have been blown, even claiming Beeby celebrated City's equaliser.[25] Warnock was subsequently charged with "improper conduct" by the FA.[26] In response, he "admitted the charge and requested a personal hearing".[27] Warnock was subsequently fined £2,000.
Fans
- Nottingham Forest – Under Warnock's management, Notts County briefly rivalled the Reds (Nottingham Forest) in the early 1990s. Also, Warnock's subsequent team, Sheffield United, defeated Forest in a play-off semi-final in 2003.[28][29]
- Leicester City – When Leicester restructured their debt after going into administration in 2002, they gained promotion to the Premiership, at the expense of Sheffield United, who had to make do with a play-off place. After United failed to gain promotion Warnock revealed his anger at the Leicester situation. Incensed that City could have got into such a state yet continued to compete at the top of the table, with no punishment, Warnock complained to the press, claiming United should have Leicester's place in the Premiership and the club should have been relegated or booted out the League. Any team now going into administration is automatically deducted 10 points, although even with this punishment Leicester would still have been two points clear of United.[30]
- Sean Bean – In a recent tabloid serialisation of Warnock's autobiography, "Made In Sheffield", Warnock claims that minutes after the final game of the 2006-07 season Bean burst into his office, blaming Warnock for the team's relegation in a "foul-mouthed tirade" while Warnock's wife and daughter[31] were present. Bean denied this, calling Warnock "bitter" and "hypocritical", and arguing that he would never use such language in front of another man's wife and children.[32]
- Bury – Warnock's reputation started poorly with Bury fans and finally was destroyed when he was seen applauding Bolton Wanderers' fourth goal in a cup tie. He had the accolade of receiving abuse from the whole stadium when Bury played away to Oldham Athletic where he was held in similar regard.[33]
- Bristol City – Warnock claimed he was punched by a Bristol City fan, during chaotic scenes after Palace had been beaten by City in extra-time in the play-offs in 2008. Many City fans had great respect for Warnock however, after he shook the hand of their manager Gary Johnson before the final whistle had even blown.
- Bristol Rovers – Rovers fans have a longstanding dislike for Warnock after several incidents while manager of Huddersfield Town.
Chairmen & directors
- Warnock is also critical in the autobiography of several of the chairmen and directors he worked with during his career. The most notable were Derek Pavis (Notts County),[34] Dan McCauley (Plymouth Argyle),[35] Terry Fisher (Huddersfield Town),[36] and Ken Marsden (Gainsborough Trinity). However, Warnock insists in the same publication that he now gets on well with all of them.
- He seems to have got on very well with former Bury FC chairman Terry Robinson, given that Robinson moved to Sheffield United as chairman not long after Warnock had taken the manager's job there.[33]
Personal life
Warnock has been a lifelong supporter of Sheffield United [37] He is married with four children. He lives in Beckenham and also has a home in Cornwall.
He has published two books, Neil Warnock's Wembley Way: The Manager's Inside Story with Rick Cowdery in 1996, which recalls Plymouth Argyle's Third Division play-off final win in the same year, and Made in Sheffield: Neil Warnock - My Story, his autobiography, published in 2007.
His nickname is Colin. This is based on a two-name anagram of his name, the surname being especially relevant.
Honours
Promotions
- 1986–87: Conference winners (promotion to Division 4) - Scarborough
- 1989–90: Division 3 Playoff winners (promotion to Division 2) - Notts County
- 1990–91: Division 2 Playoff winners (promotion to Division 1) - Notts County
- 1994–95: Division 2 Playoff winners (promotion to Division 1) - Huddersfield Town
- 1995–96: Division 3 Playoff winners (promotion to Division 2) - Plymouth Argyle
- 2005–06: Championship runners-up (promotion to Premier League) - Sheffield United
Manager of the month
- 2002–03: (Division 1 Manager of the Month): January - Sheffield United
- 2003–04: (Division 1 Manager of the Month): November - Sheffield United
- 2004–05: (Division 1 Manager of the Month): December - Sheffield United
- 2007–08: (Championship Manager of the Month): December - Crystal Palace
Cups
- 1982–83: Northern Premier League Challenge Cup winner - Burton Albion
- 1993–94: Football League Trophy finalist - Huddersfield Town
- 2002–03: FA Cup semi-finalist - Sheffield United
- 2002–03: League Cup semi-finalist - Sheffield United
Other
Hartlepool United Player of the Year, 1971-72 season
Statistics
Manager
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | ||||
| Gainsborough Trinity |  |
July 1980 | January 1981 | |||||
| Burton Albion | |
January 1981 | February 1986 | |||||
| Scarborough | |
1 August 1986 | 1 January 1989 | 78 | 30 | 25 | 23 | 38.46 |
| Notts County | |
5 January 1989 | 14 January 1993 | 209 | 90 | 49 | 70 | 43.06 |
| Torquay United | |
15 February 1993 | 2 June 1993 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 33.33 |
| Huddersfield Town | |
15 July 1993 | 5 June 1995 | 108 | 30 | 44 | 34 | 27.78 |
| Plymouth Argyle | |
22 June 1995 | 3 February 1997 | 88 | 35 | 24 | 29 | 39.77 |
| Oldham Athletic | |
21 February 1997 | 7 May 1998 | 69 | 27 | 22 | 20 | 39.13 |
| Bury | |
2 June 1998 | 2 December 1999 | 77 | 29 | 19 | 29 | 37.66 |
| Sheffield United | |
2 December 1999 | 15 May 2007 | 388 | 123 | 165 | 100 | 31.70 |
| Crystal Palace | |
11 October 2007 | Present | 90 | 33 | 26 | 31 | 36.67 |
| Total | 1111 | 400 | 375 | 336 | 36 | |||
- As of 3 May 2009.[38]
References
- ^ Hugman, Barry J. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946-2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 641. ISBN 1852916656.
- ^ "Neil Warnock: Never mind who we're playing, it's the ref who will make or break us". The Independent. 2009-01-24. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/neil-warnock-never-mind-who-were-playing-its-the-ref-who-will-make-or-break-us-1514381.html. Retrieved 2009-01-26.
- ^ Warnock, Neil (2008). "Moving on to Palace". Made in Sheffield: Neil Warnock - My Story. Hodder & Stoughton. pp. 343–344. ISBN 9780340937211.
- ^ Warnock. Made in Sheffield: Neil Warnock - My Story. p. 346.
- ^ "Warnock appointed as Palace boss". BBC Sport. 2007-10-11. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crystal_palace/7037569.stm. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
- ^ One-on-One Neil Warnock, FourFourTwo Magazine website, retrieved 14 May 2007.
- ^ Warnock and Houllier spat over Henchoz 'spit', Edinburgh Evening News website, 22 January 2003, retrieved 16 May 2007.
- ^ Warnock's Walks on the Wildside Keep Blades on edge, Guardian Unlimited website, 12 April 2003, retrieved 7 May 2007.
- ^ Warnock denies claim over gesture, BBC Sport website, 21 January 2007, retrieved 7 May 2007.
- ^ Michael Johnson dispute, BBC Sport website, 1 February 2006, retrieved 6 May 2007.
- ^ Kuqi transfer-listed over gesture, BBC Sport website, 24 February 2008, retrieved 25 July 2008.
- ^ "Blades cut down Liverpool". BBC Sport. 2003-01-08. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2635399.stm. Retrieved 2007-10-19.
- ^ "Ternent accuses Warnock". BBC Sport. 2001-04-29. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/burnley/1303028.stm. Retrieved 2007-10-19.
- ^ Neil Warnock (2007). Neil Warnock:Made in Sheffield. pp. 202–203. ISBN 978-0-340-93720-4.
- ^ "Warnock appointed new Palace boss". BBC Sport. 2007-10-11. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/crystal_palace/7037569.stm. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
- ^ Warnock Laughs off Kinnear jibe, BBC.co.uk website, 20 October 2004, retrieved 16 May 2007.
- ^ Kevin Blackwell's spending power whilst at Leeds United: FindArticles.com website.
- ^ Sent Off, 18 April 2006.
- ^ Improper Conduct Charge, 18 March 2006.
- ^ Sent Off, with Wally Downes, 20 January 2007.
- ^ Warnock: 'Disgrace' Southgate helped pal Pearce: ESPNsoccernet.com website, 20 March 2007.
- ^ Calling David Elleray "some bald-headed bloke": from The Fiver, at the Guardian Unlimited website. Retrieved on December 18, 2007.
- ^ Warnock rages at referee Poll: BBC.co.uk website. Retrieved on January 12, 2008.
- ^ Neil Warnock - Sky Sports Clip on Youtube, Youtube website, retrieved 16 May 2007.
- ^ Bristol City 1-1 Crystal Palace: Neil Warnock furious with ref over leveller: from The Mirror website, retrieved on March 22, 2008.
- ^ "Warnock charged with improper conduct", Bristol City v. Crystal Palace, 2008: from an article at the Your Local Guardian website. Retrieved on March 22, 2008.
- ^ Warnock admits charge, requests personal hearing: TheFA.com official website. Retrieved on March 22, 2008.
- ^ Warnock's Sheffield United defeat Nottingham Forest, play-off semi-final, 2003: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved on January 12, 2008.
- ^ Forest fans' dislike of Warnock: BBC.co.uk (Derby) website. Retrieved on January 12, 2008.
- ^ 2002-03 League Table, proving Leicester were 'correct' promotion team, regardless of any potential points deduction: Rec. Sport. Soccer Statistics Foundation website. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
- ^ Warnock's family, wife and one daughter: article at The Independent website, via the FindArticles service. Retrieved on December 15, 2007.
- ^ Sean Bean's dispute with Warnock: Football365.com website. Retrieved August 9, 2007.
- ^ a b Bury fans, Warnock, and Terry Robinson: from The Independent website, via the FindArticles service. Retrieved on January 12, 2008.
- ^ "Warnock: Secret sale damned Notts to the drop". ThisIsNottingham.co.uk. 2007-08-10. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=133943&command=displayContent&sourceNode=133936&contentPK=18072928&folderPk=78484&pNodeId=133953. Retrieved 2007-10-19.
- ^ Falling out with Dan McCauley, Plymouth chairman: feature at ThisIsCornwall.co.uk website. Retrieved August 24, 2007.
- ^ Falling out with Terry Fisher, Huddersfield chairman: interview at icHuddersfield website. Retrieved August 24, 2007.
- ^ Confirmed as a fan of Sheffield United: article at The Independent website, via the FindArticles service. Retrieved on December 15, 2007.
- ^ "Neil Warnock's managerial career". Soccer Base. Racing Post. http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=983. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
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