Gary Rowett bites back at Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock

Gary Rowett bites back at Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock's comments following controversial Derby County postponement -


Tuesday 27th March 2018


Derby County boss Gary Rowett has hit back at Neil Warnock's comments following the controversial postponed meeting between the Rams and Cardiff City.

The two sides were meant to meet at Pride Park on Sunday March 18, but the game was called off shortly after 8am due to apparent heavy snowfall overnight.

The decision angered the Bluebirds boss, who labelled the decision a "disgrace", while Cardiff chiefs subsequently urged the relevant authorities to look into decision.

The row escalated to such an extent that an online petition emerged asking that the EFL dock points off the Rams, although such a punishment never really looked likely.


The rearranged fixture is now pencilled in for April 24.

Now, after the EFL issued a final statement stating they were "satisfied with the decision to postpone the fixture” , County boss Rowett has decided to comment on the whole episode for the first time.


“I know Neil is an excellent manager – I think he is a qualified referee – but I didn’t realise he was qualified in health and safety!” Rowett told BBC Radio Derby.

“The fact he was surprised we weren’t there to greet them – the game was called off three hours before kick-off and when you live 10 minutes away there’s not much point going in.

“Everyone has the right to voice and opinion, say what they feel. We felt from our point of view, the club and all the safety people have to take a decision. Without going into the importance of safety for fans, the reality was the decision was not just by the club and me.

“I like to think I have a say in the club, but calling games off isn’t something I get involved in!

"They (Cardiff) tried to make it public, we kept a dignified silence. Really pleased the EFL spoke about the club and the reality that the decision was the right one to make.”

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Live ten minutes away... Bullshit! There's at least 3 Derby players that live near me. An hour and a half from Derby. Be interesting to see if they had started their journey or when they were told the game was off!

Not even their own players want to live near that dump! Must be all the snow they get!

"the club stayed quiet and dignified" he says whilst discussing the issue he stayed quiet and dignified about

‘I didn’t realise he was qualified in health and safety!’ – Gary Rowett responds to Neil Warnock on Derby County postponement


Tuesday 27th March 2018


Derby County boss Gary Rowett has responded to Neil Warnock’s comments following the postponed game with Cardiff City.

The Rams were set to take on Cardiff at Pride Park on Sunday, March 18, but the Sky Bet Championship game was called off shortly after 8am due to heavy snowfall overnight.

This decision did not go down well with Cardiff fans, some of whom were already on the road to the East Midlands, and, in particular, manager Neil Warnock.

Warnock, whose side had won seven on the spin and could have gone 10 points clear in the second automatic promotion spot, blasted the decision to postpone as “scandalous” and a “disgrace”.

Cardiff’s official supporters’ club also called for the EFL to investigate, urging them to take action against Derby.

The EFL issued a final statement, stating “we remain satisfied with the decision to postpone the fixture”.

Rowett has now spoken about the incident for the first time.

“I know Neil is an excellent manager – I think he is a qualified referee – but I didn’t realise he was qualified in health and safety!” Rowett told BBC Radio Derby.

"The fact he was surprised we weren't there waiting to greet him - when the game was called off three hours before and you live 10 minutes away there is not really a lot of point going in.

"Everyone has the right to voice their opinion , everyone has the right to say what they feel but we just felt from our point of view the club and all the safety people around have to make a decision they think is right.

"Without going into the importance of safety for the fans, the reality was that decision was made not just by the club and certainly not by me.

"I like to think I have a say in a lot of things at the club but certainly calling games off is not really something I get involved with.

"They (Cardiff) tried to make it public, we kept a dignified silence. Really pleased the EFL spoke about the club and the reality that the decision was the right one to make.”

The game has subsequently been rearranged for Tuesday, April 24 (7.45pm).

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He had to say something didn't he, it looks like a fairly sheepish reply if you ask me.

Warnock got the game for the best date for us, now we will go out and smash them !!!

What's the point of banging on bout it Gary? We all know what the truth was including yourself! You clearly took advantage of the weather situation and used it as an excuse to avoid playing us when you had a depleted squad. We've had to play most of the season with a depleted squad and look where it's got us - it's speaks volumes about our manager's credibility. we shall not lower ourselves to your level and cheat! You do as you wish but karma will come back to bite you in the end.

Quote1 : "What's the point in going in?"

Wholly disprespectful! Someone should have been there to receive the City coach when it arrived. Not even an apology or a cup of coffee and it was even too early for Greggs, too!

Quote 2: "We kept a dignified silence"

Did they really? Or was it more a case of "Oi, staff! Stay schtum! You've caused us enough problems with your honesty already! Opening the shop all day? Jeez, we're trying to get a game called off not create a sales rush and we need to get our story (for that's what it is) right before we say anything. Could take a while though, as the police and council aren't playing the game!""

Neil Warnock's H&S qualifications not an issue here. 35 years of managerial experience and working through times when the game was played when snow was piled on the side of the pitch and an orange ball had to be used is all the 'qualification' he needs to know when he's being hoodwinked for reasons that are clear but not spoken, i.e. they were afraid to play us with the team they could put out!

Really looking forward to the rearranged game; I'm sure to won't be mentioned...much!

They kept "quiet and dignified" because every one man and his dog knew they pulled a fast one

It would have helped Derbys cause if in his Friday press conference he hadn't Moaned and sulked like a baby about his injuries and waved the white flag and surrendered before a ball was kicked

He kept his gob shut conveniently until the EFL had sort of half heartily backed them

Hollow victory Mr Rowlett

If we beat them 3 nil in the rearranged game this will still piss me off.

Neil Warnock every right to voice his anger. He left the hotel drove through the clear streets of Derby, arrived at a ground to find a perfect pitch and clear car park.

It wasn't snowing, no snow was forecast and there was minimal snow lying with the couple of piles near the entrances turning out to be the product of clearing half an inch of snow of 6 acres of car park. Useful for the press release photos but hardly a hazard.

Derby was hardly a city gripped in severe weather. There was no effect at all on the bus services within the city, Arriva who run more services out of Derby than any other operator had only 2 routes affected by the weather. Trains arrived and departed from Derby station just a few hundreds yards from the ground with no weather effect what so ever. Subsequent photographs showed roads in Derby clear of all snow from as early as 6 in the morning. Some show snow lying in the gutter but disappearing pretty quickly.

The photos subsequently released by Derby. The 2 of the east and west car park showing no more than a dusting at 6.30 and 7.30 should surely worked against they're case, as photos of the same areas a little later show them completely clear of snow. The photo snow on the path leading behind the south disappearing melting under the pressure of single footprints - now come on, if path that had to be cleared, its 5 minutes work. Same for stepped area behind the opposite end, although they can have 15 minutes for that. The only photo they supplied outside the stadium shows clear roads and a clear footpath.

Neil Warnock may not be qualified in Health and Safety but this is about common sense. If sets the H and S and you can cancel the game on a very modest level of snowfall then god help us.

What Vince should consider doing is writing to the Supporters club leaders of all 91 clubs, the national league and Scottish clubs. Show them the evidence, including all Derby's photos and ask the whether they would expect a match in the second tier of English football to be cancelled in such circumstance.

If the majority of those who reply come back saying a cancellation was correct then we except it.

Personally I think it was a stitch up, that will blow up sometime in the future. The EFL came to a perverse decision based on the evidence we've now seen and know.

So he has taken how long to speak out?

His PR people have taken how long to come up with this garbage?

Derby County should hang their heads in shame.

I wonder which Rock he's been hiding under? Maybe it was the avalanche that covered his house.
Wanker.

Quote1 : "What's the point in going in?"

Wholly disprespectful! Someone should have been there to receive the City coach when it arrived. Not even an apology or a cup of coffee and it was even too early for Greggs, too!

Quote 2: "We kept a dignified silence"

Did they really? Or was it more a case of "Oi, staff! Stay schtum! You've caused us enough problems with your honesty already! Opening the shop all day? Jeez, we're trying to get a game called off not create a sales rush and we need to get our story (for that's what it is) right before we say anything. Could take a while though, as the police and council aren't playing the game!""

Neil Warnock's H&S qualifications not an issue here. 35 years of managerial experience and working through times when the game was played when snow was piled on the side of the pitch and an orange ball had to be used is all the 'qualification' he needs to know when he's being hoodwinked for reasons that are clear but not spoken, i.e. they were afraid to play us with the team they could put out!

Really looking forward to the rearranged game; I'm sure to won't be mentioned...much!

Disgraceful comments after our fans made such an effort to get there but typical of him - he doesn't give a flying f**k obviously. I hope we win and he gets the sack.

So are we then to assume that in the interests of fair mindedness, Mr Rowett's team selection for the re-arranged fixture will not include the suspended or injured players at the time of the postponement? I await his response.

They only kept quiet as they were outed as cheats and embarrassed by getting caught out.

10 mins away but couldn't be arsed to send someone to meet the club's bus!! absolute disgrace and he has made them look worse than they already did

Bites back? More like a pathetic, half hearted suck!

Bites back? More like a pathetic, half hearted suck!

Makes sense, as him and his team were toothless on the original match day!

He kept quiet because he was embarrassed and somebody needs to tell him that the person who called the game off, isn't a qualified Health & Safety Official either, merely a Derby County club official with a vested interest in having the game called off, who should't have been allowed the final say in the decision!

Nice to see someone telling Warnock how it is. He should stick to the things he paid to do putting 11 players on the pitch to play for Cardiff. He is not a road safety expert.

Nice to see someone telling Warnock how it is. He should stick to the things he paid to do putting 11 players on the pitch to play for Cardiff. He is not a road safety expert.

Nice to see someone telling Warnock how it is. He should stick to the things he paid to do putting 11 players on the pitch to play for Cardiff. He is not a road safety expert.

Neither it seems was was the person who called the game off. Buses were running normally, our team coach got to the ground, our supporters got to the ground, oh yes, and so did the superstore staff. Don't try to comment on something you clearly know nothing about, other than s--t stirring.

Nice to see someone telling Warnock how it is. He should stick to the things he paid to do putting 11 players on the pitch to play for Cardiff. He is not a road safety expert.

Putting your prejudices aside do you think the level of snow lying on the paving shown on the photograph above warranted the postponing of a fixture at this level. We rant on about health and safety but lets be honest not even schools with kids needing to be there for 8.30am close with half an inch of snow on a bit of pavement.

He's the Jack Wilshire of championship managers. MASSIVELY OVERATED! On top of that he comes across as a bit of a knob lol

He's the Jack Wilshire of championship managers. MASSIVELY OVERATED! On top of that he comes across as a bit of a knob lol

Little Jack is more than a "bit" of a knob

you don't need to be a health and safety expert to realise you played a game two weeks prior to our game with treble the amount of snow on the ground you plank .

Gary Rowett bites back at Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock's comments following controversial Derby County postponement -


Tuesday 27th March 2018


Derby County boss Gary Rowett has hit back at Neil Warnock's comments following the controversial postponed meeting between the Rams and Cardiff City.

The two sides were meant to meet at Pride Park on Sunday March 18, but the game was called off shortly after 8am due to apparent heavy snowfall overnight.

The decision angered the Bluebirds boss, who labelled the decision a "disgrace", while Cardiff chiefs subsequently urged the relevant authorities to look into decision.

The row escalated to such an extent that an online petition emerged asking that the EFL dock points off the Rams, although such a punishment never really looked likely.


The rearranged fixture is now pencilled in for April 24.

Now, after the EFL issued a final statement stating they were "satisfied with the decision to postpone the fixture” , County boss Rowett has decided to comment on the whole episode for the first time.


“I know Neil is an excellent manager – I think he is a qualified referee – but I didn’t realise he was qualified in health and safety!” Rowett told BBC Radio Derby.

“The fact he was surprised we weren’t there to greet them – the game was called off three hours before kick-off and when you live 10 minutes away there’s not much point going in.

“Everyone has the right to voice and opinion, say what they feel. We felt from our point of view, the club and all the safety people have to take a decision. Without going into the importance of safety for fans, the reality was the decision was not just by the club and me.

“I like to think I have a say in the club, but calling games off isn’t something I get involved in!

"They (Cardiff) tried to make it public, we kept a dignified silence. Really pleased the EFL spoke about the club and the reality that the decision was the right one to make.”

We will do our talking on the pitch and show your shithouse's, what a real team is all about

Rowett's silence has been deafening.

And regarding keeping this 'dignified silence', he's just contradicted himself and his club yet again by breaking it. And not a word regarding the traveling 3000 City fans who were already halfway there. Utter tw*t.

If that's a bite? More like a gumming. Needs more teeth to have a proper bite, or is it just that it's as strong as it gets for a coward like him.

Pinched this off Mike Morris's board and altered it a bit.

To the tune of in the Swansea slums


Gary Rowetts a c...t
He looked in the forecast for something to blame
He saw a few flakes and he called off the game
Gary Rowetts a c...t

Repeat for the entire first half

I'll leave the final wording to rest of you.

Dear Mr Rowett

Derby, Derby ran
Derby, Derby ran
Derby, Derby ran cos they saw a snowflake