Former Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock drops in on Gainsborough Trinity training

It's not every day that a former Premier League manager visits a routine non-league training session.
Neil Warnock.Neil Warnock.
Neil Warnock.

But for Gainsborough Trinity’s players that was exactly the scenario they found themselves in on Thursday night.

Former Trinity and Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock was in the area and when he heard that the club were training that evening, he couldn’t resist dropping in.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Manager Steve Housham says the visit both delighted and inspired in equal measure.

He told the Standard: “We just turned up for training and then in walks Neil Warnock.

“It was a bolt out of the blue.

“I had a good chat with him for about 20 minutes and then he went and had a chat with all the players.

“It’s clear he holds fond memories of Gainsborough.

Gainsborough Trinity vs Aston Utd. Trinity manager Steve HoushamGainsborough Trinity vs Aston Utd. Trinity manager Steve Housham
Gainsborough Trinity vs Aston Utd. Trinity manager Steve Housham

“It was a great pleasure for us all because it’s not every day an ex-Premier League manager walks in on your training session.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Housham says Warnock, now aged 67, also gave him some useful advice with regards to handling players at non-league level.

He said: “I’ve obviously read about Neil’s time here but to speak to him personally, it was just a pleasure.

“It was a massive boost not just for me, but also the players.

Gainsborough Trinity vs Aston Utd. Trinity manager Steve HoushamGainsborough Trinity vs Aston Utd. Trinity manager Steve Housham
Gainsborough Trinity vs Aston Utd. Trinity manager Steve Housham

“He said to them that they’re not here for the money or anything like that.

“This is why he loves non-league so much and he said always looks out for our results.

“You can tell he still thinks highly of Gainsborough.

“I’ve got great respect to Neil for doing it.”