Neil Warnock...facts and figures

NEIL WARNOCK FACT FILE

* Neil was born on December 1, 1948, in Sheffield.

* He played 52 times for Rotherham United, having joined in June 1969 from Chesterfield. Made his debut as a sub in a 2-0 win at Walsall on September 13 that year and went on to play 62 league and cup games for the Millers before moving to Hartlepool in the summer of 1971. He scored five goals while at Millmoor.

* Neil is a qualified chiropodist.

* He’s also a qualified referee, although he’s never officiated at a pro game.

* He finished playing after being released by Crewe in 1979, having made 327 Football League appearances, scoring 36 times.

* Neil’s first managerial job was at Gainsborough in 1980. His first Football League role was after getting Scarborough promoted in 1986.

* The longest spell he’s had at a club as boss was at Sheffield United (1999-2007) when he was sacked after the Blades’ relegation from the Premier Division. It’s alleged that actor and United fan Sean Bean launched into a tirade, blaming Warnock for the club’s demise, after the final game of the season.

* Controversy: Where do we start...Neil certainly speaks his mind and has been involved in a catalogue of rows, too many to mention here although a touchline bust-up with Reading coach Wally Downes, leading to a mass brawl on the touchline, was a pretty good one.

* Superstition: Neil is highly superstitious and has some bizarre pre and post-game rituals, including stopping at all, that’s ALL, traffic lights following a win (and Cornwall’s a long way home!), using the same razor blade and being last out of the dressing room.