The crazy world of Warnock

The crazy world of Warnock

By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Warnock is finally getting his reward

See photos from Bramall Lane

Neil Warnock's public image belies a man who writes love poems to his wife and sheds tears of sentimentality at the cinema.

The world does not know Sheffield United boss Warnock as someone who hosts a regular Christmas radio show and drives a tractor along single-track roads in Cornwall.

And it certainly does not recogise Warnock as the qualified chiropodist - even though he has spent a managerial lifetime treading on the toes and getting under the skin of opposition managers.

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He reveals: "I love poetry and have kept everything I've written. I cry during films as well. I like soppy films, sentimental stuff with children."

Warnock is better known as one of football's most controversial characters - a man who features highly on the rather unusual website "1,000 People More Annoying Than Mick Hucknall."

Quite what the crooning Simply Red front man makes of it all is open to question - but Warnock is thick-skinned enough to take it as a tribute.

Others condemned by the '1,000 People More Annoying Than Mick Hucknall' website

Engelbert Humperdinck

George W Bush

Osama Bin Laden

Gary Neville

Chris Moyles

This is the man who provoked the joke: "What is the difference between Neil Warnock and God? Answer - God does not think he is Neil Warnock."

The controversies have occasionally clouded the achievements of a manager who is one of the most enduring and successful figures in the lower divisions.

Warnock, if justice is done, will be a candidate for Manager of the Year after his incredible efforts at Bramall Lane this season.

He has guided The Blades into the FA Cup semi-final after a second knock-out blow was delivered to Yorkshire neighbours Leeds.

It gives Warnock a second crack at a domestic final this season after losing unluckily to Liverpool in the Worthington Cup semi-final.

Throw in an almost certain place in the Division One play-offs and the scale of Warnock's efforts can be truly appreciated.

I cannot abide that man

Burnley boss Stan Ternent's Warnock tribute

And yet most football fans know Warnock for his spats with authority and other managers - a man accused of ordering players to come off injured in the so-called "Battle of Bramall Lane" almost a year ago.

The game was called off with West Bromwich Albion leading 3-0, but with Sheffield United down to six men after having three men sent off and two leave the field injured.

Warnock was accused, but subsequently cleared, of skullduggery, but added Albion boss Gary Megson to his list of known football enemies.

Megson, however, did not find Warnock in repentant mood: "Anyone who knows Gary Megson knows he is the biggest moaner around."

Burnley boss Stan Ternent - who once accused Warnock of sending a spy to listen to his team talk - also hides his admiration well.

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"I've never done with that Warnock. I cannot abide that man," he quipped.

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier was another irrititated by Warnock after their stormy meetings this season.

But Warnock's supporters, and few can deny his record of success, insist there is another side to the angry public face.

In a managerial career lasting 17 years, he has been out of work for only 211 days.

I love poetry and have kept everything I've written. I cry during films as well

Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock

He entered management with Burton Albion before taking Scarborough into the Football League.

Warnock also took Notts County out of the old Third Division into the top flight and won promotion at Huddersfield Town and Plymouth Argyle.

He did not enjoy success at Oldham and Bury, but has been up to his old tricks again at Bramall Lane.

Warnock often bemoans his lack of opportunities at the highest level, although he once turned down Chelsea on the basis he got stuck on the M25 on both occasions he visited the club for talks.

The book will come at the end of his career, a tome mixing his poetry with tales from the dug-out and dressing room.

It deserves to be a best-seller - and the most dramatic chapter of all is waiting to be penned.

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