Former Bristol City manager Gary Johnson has spoken of his notorious rivalry with old foe Neil Warnock including their exchange following Freddie Sears' infamous ghost goal.
The two old bosses have a history of spats on the touchline over the years sparked when Johnson's Bristol City beat Warnock's Crystal Palace in the play-off semi-final first-leg at Selhurst Park in 2008.
A brilliant David Noble strike in the 93rd minute sent the away fans into raptures with a number piling on the pitch following the 2-1 victory. After the game, Warnock said of City: "I thought they were arrogant, we don't need any more motivation. I expect a lot more protection on Tuesday. They came to make sure our young lads got a few kicks early on. They did whatever they could get away with."
The following year the two sides met again. Cue even more drama. In August 2009, Sears thought he had given the Eagles a 34th-minute lead when his strike hit the stanchion at the back of the net and pinged back into play.
Referee Rob Shoebridge would speak to his assistant before deciding to award a goal kick, much to the disbelief of Warnock on the touchline. To make matters worse, Nicky Maynard struck in the 89th minute to give City a 1-0 victory.
Johnson, who spent just under five years as City manager, admitted it was that moment and the conversations that followed which led to the pair disliking each other.
Speaking on Geoff Twentyman's BBC Radio Bristol show, he said: "That ghost goal was one of the things that made us hate each other, maybe not hate, that's too strong but dislike each other.
"For us, we knew it was a goal but the fourth official got from the referee that it was an infringement. We don't know what the infringement was, was it a foul before the shot? What was it?
"I'd already let Plymouth score against us in a cup game and I also did against Birmingham. With this one, he (Warnock) said: 'You've got to give us a goal, you've got to give us a goal.'
"I said: 'I'm not giving you a goal.' He said 'why?' and I responded: 'Because I don't like you.'
"Even Simon (Jordan) the chairman writes about it in his book that we cheated but we didn't. We got the word that there was an infringement so who am I to say whether it was or wasn't?"
In the aftermath of the incident, an incensed Warnock refused to shake Johnson's hand and then told the press: "I thought Gary Johnson and his players could have shown more sportsmanship because they knew it was a goal, like everyone else. But I'm 60 years old and maybe I expect too much."
Johnson would fire back: "In Neil's position, I would feel the same as he does. Sometimes as the away manager a big decision goes against you, the crowd get on your back and it's very hard to keep things under control.
"It was a goal, of course, but I don't see what I could have done about it at the time. I had my own team to think about because we weren't playing well in the first half. Neil didn't want to shake my hand and that's up to him. I can't say I was surprised after what had happened, but it's one of those things."
Warnock's feud with City would continue into the days of Lee Johnson's tenure as manager when Warnock's Rotherham were making the trip to Ashton Gate. Ahead of the contest, Lee said: "We have to make sure we win the match, whether we do it through aggression, good football or intimidation, we have to make sure we do it. I make no apologies for that."
The game finished 1-1 and Warnock fired back: "I didn't have to do a team talk, Lee Johnson did it for me yesterday when I read the paper.
"What he said in the local paper was an absolute disgrace. I know he is only a young manager, but I don't think he should be saying things like 'we have to make sure we win, whether we do it by aggression or intimidation'. Like father, like son!"
Gary now admits that the pair speak civilly if and when they come across each other although they were two different characters when three points were on the line.
He added: "He was saying things after about Lee as well, he said 'Like father, like son' it was unbelievable. I think I didn't let him get away with the shenanigans that he always used to get away with and he was brilliant at them as well.
"I was just as brilliant at knowing what he was doing and trying to counteract it, it was all gamesmanship and if I saw him in the street or at a do we speak to each other very civilly. We both changed when we got in the dugout against each other."
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