Fri Mar 06, 2020 9:33 am
Connections count as Tigers turn to Neil Warnock for inspiration
6th March 2020
Playing for Neil Warnock in your youth can help when you’re attempting to win a league title in your first season as a boss.
Truro City rookie Paul Wotton is definitely benefiting from his connections with his old boss, pulling out all the stops in a bid to guide his side to promotion by tapping in to the vast knowledge of one of the most experienced managers in English football.
The former Cardiff City manager, who has won eight promotions, lives in Cornwall and has often visited Treyew Road over the years in pre-season with his teams.
Wotton told The Non-League Paper on Sunday how he made another inspirational trip two weeks ago to see the promotion-chasing White Tigers hammer Harrow Borough 4-1 in the BetVictor Southern League’s Premier South.
RECOGNITION: Neil Warnock presents Tyler Harvey with his award
“He phoned me on the Friday and said he’d like to come down and watch the game,” Wotton told The NLP.
“He was my manager at Plymouth Argyle when I was young pro there and was brilliant with me. He taught me a lot and moved me from midfield to centre-back, so I owe him.
“He’s always someone I’ve held in high regard. He gave me a few words of advice afterwards. He said about staying positive and trying to get the best out of the lads all the time. His experience is invaluable.”
Warnock was impressed with what he saw in difficult conditions and named Truro striker Tyler Harvey the man of the match after he scored a brace to take his tally for the season to 18. He also went in to see both teams at full-time to pass on some advice.
“Some of them might not have known who I was!” laughed Warnock as he told the Truro website. “I think it’s nice if you can have a chat with them now and then.
Paul Wilkinson
“I’ve watched Paul’s career over the last few years, I thought it was a good time to come, they’re doing well. In the second half they played really some good stuff.
“I’ve looked for Truro straight away, I’ve always done that even before Paul came but it’s a little bit more special having one of the lads that I know. I just hope they can continue and get promotion.”
Indeed, Wotton has guided Truro into serious contention for the BetVictor Southern League South Premier title after taking over last summer.
Personality
The club had suffered relegation from National League South while Wotton had been axed from his position as assistant manager alongside Derek Adams at Plymouth, a club he made almost 400 appearances for.
Truro, now under the control of Dicky Evans, owner of the Cornish Pirates rugby club, are on course to bounce back at the first attempt despite it being Wotton’s first season in management at a level he knew little about – but it was a risk worth taking.
“First and foremost I needed a job,” he said. “At the forefront of my mind was the problems Truro have had before, but once I met the new owners then all those fears were put to rest.