Neil Warnock, Brian Clough and Jimmy Sirrel - Just some of the managers who delivered success in Notts and Derbyshire

1. BRIAN CLOUGH (Derby 1967-1973; Nottingham Forest 1975-1993)

Without doubt one of the best managers of all time, Clough bucks the trend as being idolised by both Forest and Derby supporters.

Clough’s tale is a well-known one but it is worth emphasising how good he really was.

He took Derby from the doldrums of the Second Division to winning the top tier in 1972.

He then went to Forest in 1975 after an ill-fated 44-day spell at Leeds and achieved even more success, winning not only the First Division and four League Cups, but also the ultimate prize; not one but TWO successive European Cup triumphs in the late 1970s.

The only major trophy to elude him was the FA Cup.

2. JOHN DUNCAN (Chesterfield 1983-1987 & 1993-2000)

Scot Duncan steered Chesterfield to the Fourth Division title in 1985.

Despite a number of off-field distractions Duncan valiantly managed to keep the Spireites in the third tier before sealing a move to Ipswich in 1987.

Duncan was lured back to Saltergate however in 1993 and went on to enjoy a seven-year stint which famously included THAT FA Cup semi-final against Middlesborough in 1997.

The game, played at Old Trafford, finished 3-3 but when Chesterfield were leading 2-1 they saw a clear third goal not given, despite it clearly crossing the line.

Boro eventually levelled the tie up before cruising to a 3-0 replay win.

Prior to that Duncan had led the club to Division Three play-off success in 1995 and is remembered fondly by Spireites’ supporters.

3. JIMMY SIRREL (Notts County 1969-1975, 1977-1982 & 1985-87)

Sirrel is rightfully considered a legend for his three separate spells in charge of County.

The Scot achieved promotion to the second tier with County in his first spell before earning elevation to the First Division in his second.

He is well-thought of at County still, with the County Road Stand at Meadow Lane named after him.

Sirrel also managed Sheffield United and Brenford.

4. IAN GREAVES (Mansfield 1983-1989)

Greaves spent seven years as a player at Manchester United before going on to forge a successful managerial career.

The last job of that career came as boss of the Stags and he achieved promotion from the fourth division in 1986.

Another landmark during his time at Field Mill was a Wembley win in 1987 in the Freight Rover Trophy final triumph - possibly the club’s finest hour.

Greaves has a stand named after him at Town’s ground.

5. BILLY WALKER (Nottingham Forest 1939-1960)

Walker was considered by many to be the best ever player for Aston Villa and went on to follow up his success on the pitch with triumphs off it.

He managed Nottingham Forest from 1939 to 1960.

That 21-year spell brought with it promotion to the First Division in 1956–57 and an FA Cup final triumph two years later (Ironically, beating Villa in the semi-finals).

That meant he became the only manager to win the trophy both before and after the second World War.

He was also the first Englishman to score at Wembley, when he scored against Scotland on 12 April 1924.

He died in November 1964, four years after retiring as Nottingham Forest manager.

6. PAUL COOK (Chesterfield 2012-2015)

Cook made a huge impression on Chesterfield’s supporters during his three-year spell in charge.

The likeable Liverpudlian arrived from Accrington with a blossoming reputation and he certainly fulfilled it with the Spireites.

After just missing out on promotion in his first season, he achieved promotion from League Two in 2013-14 as the Spireites won the league and also finished runners-up at Wembley in the JP Trophy to Peterborough.

The club’s first season back in the third tier saw them hugely overachieve as they reached the play-offs before being knocked out at the semi-final stage by eventual winners Preston.

That was to be Cook’s last act before departing for League Two side Portsmouth, whom he has just taken to the FA Cup fourth round stage.

7. NEIL WARNOCK (Notts County 1989-1993)

He divides opinion, but Neil Warnock has certainly achieved plenty of success in all his years of managing.

Arguably one of his finest achievements was reaching the first division with County in the early 1990s.

Warnock reportedly turned down offers to manage Chelsea and Sunderland but he couldn’t keep County up as they were relegated and therefore missed out on the lucrative maiden Premier League season.

Despite that early setback in his career, Warnock went on to reach the top flight again with both Sheffield United and QPR.

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