WARNOCK: I’VE LIVED THE DREAM
A STORIED career that hit some dizzying heights is about to come full circle – and Stephen Warnock sees Bradford as the perfect stage for his curtain call.
The 36-year-old may be best known for his Premier League spells with Blackburn, Aston Villa and boyhood club Liverpool, but his first taste of senior football arrived during a loan spell at Valley Parade in 2002.
In January, Warnock re-joined the Bantams on loan from Burton and, earlier this month, he announced this season would be his last. The former England fullback is due to bow out when Bradford go to Scunthorpe on Saturday.
From being on the books at Anfield as Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005 to making Fabio Capello’s England squad for the 2010 World Cup, there have been some heady days.
Decision
“I don’t think anyone really wants to admit that time’s up on their playing career,” said Warnock, whose Bradford side also host Walsall on Tuesday.
“In the end, it’s always a tough decision, but I think it’s the right time to do it, when I’m still fit and able to get up and down the pitch.
“To make your debut with Liverpool. That’s the team I grew up standing on the Kop watching, so, for me, I’ve lived every supporter’s dream, playing for your boyhood team.
“I was fortunate to do that on more than one occasion and then, taking the next step of representing England at a World Cup, I think they’re things that you can only dream of as a kid and you pray they’ll become real one day.
“When I came back to Bradford, I actually thought at the time: ‘This could be the end of my career’.
“I wasn’t entirely sure, but I thought it would be nice to end my career where I’d started out professionally.
“It’s a nice thing and the people at Bradford have been very nice to me along the way, so I’m very fortunate.”
Dropping down to League One for only the second time in his career, Warnock’s current Bradford spell hasn’t been a selfindulgent swansong.
The left-footer has featured regularly, helping Simon Grayson’s troops stay in contention for a tophalf finish following the dire run of form – six straight defeats in all competitions – that cost Stuart McCall his job in February.
Naturally, life after football is currently on Warnock’s mind.
The father-of-two, dad to daughters Ashlyn, 11, and Evie, 10, hopes to relish the opportunity to spend more time with his family but, having already appeared on BBC’s Final Score and Radio 5 Live, punditry appears to be the next logical step.
Learning
“I’m going to be busy, I think, and that’s what everyone that’s retired before me recommends: keeping as busy as you can, rather than packing in and doing nothing,” said Warnock, who has also featured on LFC TV.
“My long-term ambition is to be a manager one day, but I see the media side as a way of learning the game still and seeing what tactical things different managers do. “Though it’s a job, it’s also a way to learn. There seems to be such a high turnaround of managers now, though. It seems to be tough.”
Before that, however, Warnock will be lacing up the boots a couple more times. The veteran defender added: “I don’t want to have any regrets or be able to say I didn’t put my all into the last few games because they’re the ones that I’ll probably remember the most.
“I will miss it. I’ll definitely miss it.
“I know it will be a big thing, to play that last game, but it’s part of football and it’s a part of your career.”