Profiles of Warnock's Assistants Jones & Curle

One of THE best bloggers in Football too

www.cpfc.co.uk/page/MickJonesBlog/0,,10323,00.html

And the QPR Profiles of the two...!

QPR Official Site
MICK JONES: IN PROFILE
Posted on: Tue 02 Mar 2010

Born in Sunderland on March 24 1947, Mick Jones was 16-years old when he signed his first professional contract at Derby County.

The centre-back played under legendary manager Brian Clough and moved on to Notts County in 1969, where he enjoyed promotion from the Fourth Division in 1971 and again to the old Second Division two years later.

In 1973 he joined Peterborough United and again played in a promotion winning team, helping the Club to the Division 4 championship in 1973/74.

Jones first stepped into the world of management at Canadian outfit Ottawa Tigers, becoming player-coach in 1976, before being appointed Player/Manager of Southern League side Kettering Town later that year.

He soon gave up playing and built what was widely viewed as one of the best and most exciting sides seen at Rockingham Road for many years, eventually leading them to the 1979 FA Trophy Final at Wembley.
Article continues
Advertisement
MPU Warhammer Online

Although Kettering lost that final to Stafford Rangers, Jones' reputation was spreading and he took over at Division 3 club Mansfield that summer.

He stayed at Field Mill for two years, but when newly-appointed Player/Manager Roy McFarland offered him a job as his assistant at Bradford City in 1981, Jones was only too pleased to help out.

McFarland played 40 games during the 1981-82 season, so Jones was a key touchline presence as City clinched promotion to Division 3 by becoming runners-up.

The pair then went to Derby for a short period before Jones took over at Halifax in 1984. Two seasons later he was named Noel Cantwell's assistant at Fourth Division Peterborough United and, after reaching the Play-Offs, he became manager of the Club in July 1988.

It was at London Road where Jones first became acquainted with Neil Warnock and, after leaving Peterborough in August 1989, he became number two at former Club Notts County.

In their first two seasons together, the pair spearheaded successive promotions - the latter to the top flight.

Jones followed Warnock to Huddersfield in 1993 and within two years they had led the Club to their first ever Wembley appearances in the Autoglass Trophy and Play-Off Final, which culminated in Town reaching the second tier.

A move to Plymouth, again with Warnock, followed in 1995 and yet again they inspired Argyle to promotion via a first ever Wembley appearance.

It was when Warnock left Argyle in 1997 that Jones took over the Devon Club. He was in charge for little over a season but was delighted to become head coach of Brunei's national team in 1998.

In 1999, Jones led the tiny Borneo province to its first ever Malaysian Cup Final appearance.

Three years later he returned to England and had spells as Assistant Manager at Nuneaton Borough and Manager of Telford United prior to recreating his partnership with Warnock at Sheffield United.

This was in 2005, and his assistance coincided with United's promotion to the Premier League and last season's top flight campaign, when they were relegated on the final day.

Jones left Bramall Lane with Warnock at the end of the 2006/07 season, and once again joined Warnock at Crystal Palace in October 2007.
www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1981884,00.html


KEITH CURLE: IN PROFILE
Posted on: Tue 02 Mar 2010

Bristol-born Keith Curle came up through the ranks at local side Rovers, scoring in his debut against Chester in 1981.

His two-year spell at the Club ended in November 1983 when Torquay paid £50,000 for his services.

The centre back spent four months at United, scoring five goals in 19 starts, before attracting the attention of Bristol City, who he joined for £100,000.

Within months, Curle had helped Terry Cooper's men to promotion from the old Division Four and he made a total of 149 appearances for the Robins as they consolidated their position in the game's third tier.
Article continues
Advertisement
MPU Download Red Alert 3

A £150,000 move to Reading followed, and a year later in October 1988 FA Cup winners Wimbledon came along with a bid for half-a-million pounds that was accepted by the Royals.

Curle was integral towards the Dons' success of the period and under Ray Harford he helped them reach seventh place in the top flight in 1990/1991.

That summer he became Britain's most expensive defender when Manchester City signed him for £2.5 million. Curle was soon in the England 'B' team and in April 1992 made his debut for the national side as a substitute in the friendly at CIS.

He made two further international appearances, including in the starting eleven in the 0-0 draw against Denmark in the 1992 European Championships.

Curle's half-decade at Maine Road saw him become skipper and make 205 appearances, scoring 13 goals.

In August 1996 he made a £650,000 switch to Wolves. In Curle's first season he was part of the team that lost to Crystal Palace in the Division One play-off semi-finals.

His four-year stint at Molineux, which also included an FA Cup semi-final appearance, ended when Neil Warnock brought him to Sheffield United in July 2000.

Two years later, and after a two-month stay at Barnsley, Curle joined Mansfield as player-manager. He gained further managerial experience at Chester City in April 2005 and began brightly by challenging for promotion from League Two and eliminating Nottingham Forest from the FA Cup.

Curle's most recent assignment was at former club Torquay United, where he was head coach alongside Director of Football Colin Lee.

On the day of his unveiling at Crystal Palace back in October 2007, Warnock appointed Curle onto his coaching staff.

www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1981866,00.html