This is Cornwall
Warnock's happy to be back in town with Queens Park Rangers to take on BodminNEIL Warnock brings his new team, Queens Park Rangers, to Priory Park tonight as part of the London club's week-long stay in Cornwall.
The Championship outfit take on Darren Gilbert's Bodmin Town (7.30pm) in front of what will be the home side's best attendance of the season.
Former Plymouth Argyle boss Warnock is delighted to be bringing a team back to Bodmin, having previously brought down Crystal Palace (2008) and his beloved Sheffield United (2005) for pre-season training camps.
He said: "Bodmin is always a good place for us to go and have a game. They treat us well and I know their pitch will be in good shape.
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"It's ideal for us because we're based just down the A30 at Trethorne (Golf Club), and we're looking forward to taking on what will be a strong Bodmin squad."
Warnock, who still has a home in South East Cornwall and spends as many weekends as he can in Cornwall, has put off plans to retire down here after being handed a new challenge with QPR.
He said: "I've had a busy summer signing a few players and to be honest I can't wait for the season to start.
"I have brought down all 21 of our first team squad and plan to use all of them at some stage."
Warnock has signed five players in the last month. They are goalkeeper Paddy Kenny from Sheffield United, left back Clint Hill and midfield man Shaun Derry from Palace, and strikers Leon Clarke (Sheffield Wednesday) and Jamie Mackie, who scored eight goals in 42 league appearances for Plymouth Argyle last season.
Bodmin, who missed out on their third successive Peninsula League premier division title on goal difference in May, have lost three players from last season's squad.
Striker Mark Berry has joined Liskeard Athletic, winger Ben Smallridge has been snapped up by Saltash United, and Karl Turner has moved nearer his home by signing for Falmouth Town.
But Gilbert has recruited two of the county's most promising youngsters in winger Ollie Brokenshire from St Austell, and Dobwalls striker Jack Bartlett.
He is also hoping to persuade midfield stalwart Nick Campbell to play on, despite the former St Blazey favourite planning to retire at the end of last season.
QPR, who started their week in the South West with a 8-0 win at Tavistock on Monday, face League Two side Torquay United at Plainmoor on Friday. The squad then return to London but the club are sending a team back down to Cornwall next Monday to face Saltash United at Kimberley Stadium.
Warnock said: "It will be a strong line-up against Saltash with most of the first team squad being involved."
Rangers are training this week at Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, near Callington.
www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/sport/Warnock-s-happy-town-Queens-Park-Rangers-Bodmin/article-2413465-detail/article.html
