Neil Warnock has been called many things during his 52 years in football as 'a quick, brainless winger' and then a record breaking manager.

But as Cardiff City's 'Mr Marmite' gets ready to celebrate joining Sir Bobby Robson, Sir Alex Ferguson and Roy Hodgson in the Premier League's exclusive septuagenarian club next Saturday he can look back with huge pride on a career built on true Yorkshire grit.

'Dinosaur? I think I am regarding my date of birth, but that's one of the more complimentary names people use for me,' said Warnock, 69, who secured a record breaking eighth promotion last season to take Cardiff back into the top-flight.

Neil Warnock will become the fourth man to manage in the Premier League at the age of 70

The Cardiff boss will reach the milestone next Saturday, the day after a clash with Wolves

'Years ago, you'd never have thought that people like Roy Hodgson and myself would still be managing at this age.

'It's hard to explain, but you can't do it at this age unless you've got that enthusiasm.

'Most people that criticise me, fans at other clubs, think, "we don't like him but we wouldn't mind him as our manager".

'I get into trouble sometimes because I say what I think and that's maybe because I'm a Yorkshire lad.

'People get what they see with me and I always say what I want to say. At my age, you don't worry about the future. You only worry about next week.'

Warnock has always been a divisive figure, he thinks because he speaks his mind too much

This week it will be Wolves, who came up with Cardiff last season, to worry about in a pre-birthday bash in the Welsh capital on Friday night.

'You don't really celebrate birthdays after you get past 50, but I don't feel my age. Originally, I was going to retire at 55 when I was at Sheffield United,' he added.

'It's the lads here who keep me young and the day-to-day environment. You can't really replicate that when you do pack in.

'I'm really pleased that Sky and the Premier League have helped me by bringing the game forward.

'It will give me a nice Saturday with the family before we get onto the West Ham game.'