‘I didn’t realise he was qualified in health and safety!’ –
Tue Mar 27, 2018 7:15 am
‘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).
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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Re: ‘I didn’t realise he was qualified in health and safety!
Tue Mar 27, 2018 10:15 am
I cant use a shovel but it wouldn't have taken me 30 seconds to clear that path. In fact it would have cleared itself within an hour. And that was a key bit evidence ! Did Derby do everything they could to get this game on ? Its as raw now as it was a week ago.
Re: ‘I didn’t realise he was qualified in health and safety!
Tue Mar 27, 2018 2:12 pm
Neil Warnock is qualified in more things than you can ever dream of Gary 
Re: ‘I didn’t realise he was qualified in health and safety!
Tue Mar 27, 2018 2:28 pm
Well his club certainly know how to manipulate H&S regulations! 
Re: ‘I didn’t realise he was qualified in health and safety!
Thu Mar 29, 2018 7:14 pm
I didn't know Gary Rowett was a manager!
Re: ‘I didn’t realise he was qualified in health and safety!
Thu Mar 29, 2018 7:49 pm
Love NW’s comments, wound the rams right up. Makes it tasty, deflects attention from promotion push. Classic Warnock. Genius. And he’s got a NEBOSH diploma.