Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock says the reason his side were able to gain automatic promotion to the Premier League this season was due to his grandson.

A 0-0 draw against Reading was enough to earn the Bluebirds a place England’s top flight next season, and secure Warnock a record eighth career promotion.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Warnock said: "The players have been good but at the end we had to bring a secret weapon in and that was my grandson Charlie.

"We had to bring him in as he has been the mascot five times now. We won the first three then we went up to Hull after Derby Country where we needed everything.

"So the lads said 'what about bringing in Charlie, gaffer?' So we got Charlie across to Hull, we won that game and then he came on Saturday and we managed to get over the line with a draw. He's five games undefeated.

"We will have to book him next year sparsely!"

Warnock has been in the Premier League many times before, managing Crystal Palace, Queens Park Rangers and Sheffield United in the top flight previously.

The Verdict

While some may say it is just silly, most people would do anything for their side to get promotion to the Premier League.

Neil Warnock’s grandson will be needed a lot next season though, if they are to try and stay in the top flight, as they are bound to be relegation favourites from the outset and throughout.