One of the problems in writing about Alex Ferguson is, where do you begin? Another is, where and when to end? After all, he was the most successful manager in British football history. His achievements and statistics with Manchester United are awesome.
They won 13 (thirteen) Premiership League titles, and won the FA Cup five times. Fergie managed 800 Premiership League matches, and managed 1,400 games in all competitions.
The club won more than 30 trophies under his management, this proud Scot who said, “I never played for a draw in my life.”
On an amazing 11 occasions he was named Premiership League Manager of the Season.
Well, I’m proud to say that not only did I meet him, but had the pleasure and privilege of having a long conversation with him. The occasion was the celebration dinner marking the 25th anniversary of Manchester United’s win over Benfica of Portugal in the 1968 European Cup Final in Wembley Stadium.
The attendance was chockablock with sports celebrities, film and television stars, civic leaders, friends and acquaintances.
Sir Alex and I talked football, and what struck me then and since was the close attention he paid in listening to my views. Also his close concentration on what he was saying when expressing his own.
He enthusiastically supported what I said about the value of footballers being genuinely two-footed. The way he listened, it was as if I was the only other person in the room. There wasn’t the slightest hint that he might rush off to mix with the big crowd of guests.
Finally, after a photograph was taken of the two of us together, he shook hands and said, “Thank you, Adrian, for a very interesting conversation. Enjoy the night.”
Was I gobsmacked? Yes I was.
