'I’m big-boned! I always carried a bit of weight,' Paddy Kenny told local Sheffield paper The Star this week. Kenny is a former Ireland international - he won seven caps, the last one coming in 2006.
Kenny played for - among many others - Sheffield United, QPR and Leeds. A regular presence in Kenny's football career was Neil Warnock. The 39-year-old was signed by Warnock on five occasions.
While playing for Warnock at Sheffield United, Kenny told of how Warnock advised that Kenny visit McDonald's on the trip home from training.
The United fitness coach of the time, Tony Daley, once decided I needed to shed some. I lost 10 or 12lbs and for about a month or six weeks I was playing horrendous. I felt miles off it.
Warnock told me to put it back on! He just said: ‘Get it back on. Stop at McDonald’s on your way home. You’re meant to be your size.
Kenny disclosed that his optimum weight as a player was 15 stone. Abuse from fans due to his weight was persistent throughout his career but it was an occurrence which he says helped motivate him.
I used to enjoy the abuse from opposition fans because I’d think: ‘Right, I’m going to prove you wrong. Abuse me as much as you want.’ I got most grief in Sheffield derbies and loved it. I’d give them it back and dance in front of them when we scored. That was part of me. I always enjoyed it.
