Ok, so this mini ain't moved for 10 years. It's a '98 MPI.
- Clutch pedal was completely solid with the clutch seemigly stuck disengaged- could put it into gear and turn the engine over.
I've never been inside a mini clutch before, so forgive me if this is a daft question, but how would I go about freeing off what I suppose is a seized clutch? All redneck solutions considered :)
Most of the posts above are focused on a friction disk that is stuck to the flywheel. Your first bullet item suggests that a stuck friction disk is not your problem. Try the other solutions if you want but I would focus on Mike's observation that the release bearing plunger is stuck in the clutch cover. Why it would be stuck "forward" so the clutch is disengaged is beyond me unless it moved forward and bound up when you first went to start the engine after 10 years.
Apply some penetrating oil at the end of the clutch cover and down the hole where the throw-out arm attaches to clutch cover. Strike the bits a bit with a non-marring hammer to "shock" them and wick the oil into the gaps. Allow a day or two for the oil to wick in. Also pump the clutch pedal a few times. Keep working at getting the throw-out arm and plunger moving.
And is "redneck" a term normally used in the U.K.?
"Redneck" probably gained popularity in the UK when we started to get more American (U.S.) programmes (programs - or more likely "shows") on the telly (TV or television?)
You know what they say - The U.S. and the UK - two nations divided by a common language 
A short story - I worked for an American based multi-national company until recently - I attended a conference in Knoxville Tennessee (not really on the tourist map I guess) Four of us went into a cafe and when the waitress came to take our order it was hilarious to see her reaction when there was me, an Aussie, a South African and an Indian guy all speaking "English" - her confusion was evident as she could tell it was all English but could barely understand any of us !!! Also I had real trouble ordering a beer (after the we had finished for the day!) until a native at the bar helped me and said "he wants a beeee-rrr" (UK English pronunciation is clipped and doesn't stress the R at the end like the US version - maybe its different outside of Tennessee?)
