Sir Alex Ferguson
The great Scot
| Full name: | Sir Alexander Chapman Ferguson |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: | December 31, 1941 |
| Clubs played for: | Queens Park, St Johnstone, Dunfermline, Rangers, Falkirk, Ayr |
| Clubs managed: | East Stirling, St Mirren, Aberdeen, Manchester United |
Club Career
Ferguson was a combative centre-forward who made his debut as an amateur for Queen's Park at the age of 16, scoring in a 2-1 defeat at Stranraer. He then had spells at St Johnstone and Dunfermline before signing for Rangers for £65,000 in 1967. He scored 25 goals in 41 league appearances for the Ibrox club, but was blamed for a mistake in the 1969 Scottish Cup final that spelled the beginning of the end of his time there. Ferguson moved on to Falkirk in 1969, where he spent four years, then spent a season at Ayr prior to his retirement in 1974.
Club Stats
| Years | Clubs | App | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957-60 | Queen's Park | 31 | 15 |
| 1960-64 | St Johnstone | 37 | 19 |
| 1964-67 | Dunfermline | 89 | 66 |
| 1967-69 | Rangers | 41 | 25 |
| 1969-73 | Falkirk | 95 | 36 |
| 1973-74 | Ayr | 24 | 9 |
Managerial Career
Ferguson cut his managerial teeth with East Stirling, where he was appointed in June 1974 at the age of just 32. He only spent three months in charge, though, before being persuaded to move to St Mirren. He impressed in four years there before moving to Aberdeen in 1978, where he enjoyed great success, breaking the Rangers-Celtic duopoly on Scottish football and establishing the Dons as a European force.
His achievements at Pittodrie led to a move south in November 1986 when he was appointed Manchester United manager. Although he endured a difficult first few years at the club, he has since gone on to establish a lasting dynasty of success, becoming one of the greatest British managers of all-time in the process.
Key Games
Aberdeen 2-1 Real Madrid (European Cup-Winners' Cup final, May 11, 1983)
A sign of things to come as Ferguson took on Europe's big boys and came out on top. Having ended the Old Firm's dominance in Scotland, he established Aberdeen as a European force with a stunning run to the final. And, once there, he masterminded one of the biggest shocks in European football history as his unfancied side rocked the mighty Real Madrid, winning 2-1 with goals from Eric Black and an extra-time winner from John Hewitt.
Nottingham Forest 0-1 Manchester United (FA Cup 3rd round, January 7, 1990)
How different the fortunes of Alex Ferguson and United might have been if they had lost this game. There was widespread speculation that Ferguson would be sacked if his side crashed out of the Cup at Forest, with the fans unhappy at the lack of progress under his management. Following a 5-1 defeat at bitter rivals Manchester City the previous September, supporters had unveiled a banner reading: "Three years of excuses and it's still crap. Ta-ra Fergie." But having splashed out £13million in the pursuit of glory, it was a 20-year-old who cost nothing who saved his boss when Mark Robins, playing only his third full game of the season, headed home the only goal of the game from Mark Hughes's superb through-ball. Fergie was saved, and history was rewritten.
Manchester United 3-1 Blackburn (Premier League, May 3, 1993)
After 26 painful years, Manchester United were once again champions of England. They had actually clinched the inaugural Premier League title the day before this match when Aston Villa lost to Oldham, meaning the visit of Blackburn was little more than a glorious celebration. A few of the United lads may have taken to the pitch with hangovers that night, but the party continued long and hard as goals from Ryan Giggs, Paul Ince and Gary Pallister sealed a 3-1 win after Rovers had the temerity to take an eighth-minute lead through Kevin Gallacher.
Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea (Manchester United won 6-5 on penalties, Champions League final, May 21, 2008)
Ferguson had achieved his Holy Grail of European glory in 1999, and while this second victory couldn't match the late drama of that heart-stopping win over Bayern Munich, this triumph will surely have given him equal pleasure. Beating domestic rivals Chelsea, albeit on penalties, will have made the victory all the sweeter as Fergie joined a select band of managers to have won the competition twice with the same club.
Honours
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| St Johnstone | Scottish First Division Championship | 1962-63 |
| Falkirk | Scottish First Division Championship | 1969-70 |
| St Mirren (as manager) | Scottish First Division Championship | 1976-77 |
| Aberdeen (as manager) | Scottish Premier Division | 1979-80, 1983-84, 1984-85 |
| Scottish Cup | 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1985-86 | |
| League Cup | 1985-86 | |
| European Cup-Winners' Cup | 1983 | |
| Manchester United (as manager) | Premier League | 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 |
| FA Cup | 1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004 | |
| League Cup | 1992, 2006, 2009 | |
| UEFA Champions League | 1999, 2008 | |
| UEFA Cup-Winners' Cup | 1991 | |
| Premier League Manager of the Year | 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2002-03, 2006-07, 2007-08 |
Did You Know...?
Manchester United have won more trophies under Sir Alex Ferguson than in all the years preceding his arrival combined.
The £65,000 Rangers paid for Alex Ferguson in 1967 was, at the time, a record fee between two Scottish clubs.
Ferguson had the chance to move to England as a player when he left Rangers in the 1960s. Nottingham Forest were reportedly keen to sign him, but his wife didn't want to move south of the border.
We want your help to grow the MirrorFootball.co.uk archive! Leave your comments about this piece of football history by clicking on the 'Your Memories' tab above. Tell us who or what you'd like to see covered in the MirrorFootball.co.uk archive by emailing archive@mirror.co.uk
(PDF2.5MB)
