FORMER Huddersfield Town boss Neil Warnock found himself among friends yesterday as he signed copies of his new book in Huddersfield.

Controversial Warnock, who led Town to promotion at Wembley in 1995, was at WH Smith’s as part of a nationwide book launch.

Flanked by a burly security guard, Warnock told how he spoke to former Town striker and his former assistant at Leeds, Ronnie Jepson, on Friday.

“I told him I was coming to Huddersfield and he said at least I was going somewhere where they loved me!”

Warnock, 64, who left Leeds towards the end of last season amid talk of retirement, has written a book The Gaffer: The Trials and Tribulations of a Football Manager.

Warnock has been in charge at 12 clubs and won promotion with seven of them.

He was at Town from 1993-95 and saw the club promoted to what is now the Championship. He quit just days afterwards but is fondly remembered at Town.

Warnock said: “The biggest thing I remember about Town is the warmth and friendliness of the club.

“They were so glad to see me and I was so glad to see them.

“I had been let down at Notts County and had been at Torquay and I was ready for the challenge at Town.

“To get them to Wembley for the first time since 1935 in the Autoglass Trophy was a highlight.”

Warnock recalled some of the players in his squad with affection.

“We had some great characters,” he said. “Simon Trevitt, Graham Mitchell, Jepson, Steve Francis in goal and Andy Booth.

“I like to think I developed Boothy’s career. I gave him his chance. He’s a super lad.”

Warnock has been in his Sheffield birthplace and London to promote his book and will head home to Cornwall to sign copies.

“The book’s been really well received,” he said. “I think I know what I’m talking about.”

Among the fans to queue for up an hour was David Morelli, 55, who said: “Neil Warnock is the best manager Town have had in my lifetime.

“He wears his heart on his sleeve. He’s a pussy cat despite his rants.”

Craig Stevanato , 26, added: “I love his passion. He gets his players playing for him.”

Derek Haigh, 55, of Linthwaite, said: “I respect Neil. He can motivate people. He is a genuine guy who doesn’t take fools gladly.”

Also in the queue was Bradley-based Sheffield United fan Stephen Shaw, 53, who has bitter memories of Town’s latest play-off promotion, the Wembley final defeat of the Blades last year.

“We would have hammered Huddersfield if Neil had been in charge,” he groaned. “We were robbed. The best team certainly didn’t win on the day.”