Glory, Glory Man Utd. Harry Harris
replace the manager in terms of expectation and all the rest.”
And so to Sir Alexʼs last game. It was an occasion not to be missed for the dedicated foot soldiers of Unitedʼs Red Army. Most had probably seen his first game at Oxford in 1986. One fan bought 700 of West Bromʼs 20,000 special edition £4 programmes, a 144 – page special edition, the biggest ever produced for a domestic fixture, with 38 – pages devoted to the visiting manager, handing a programme seller £2,800. Another supporter bought 300 for £1,200. The programme detailed Sir Alexʼs life and time and contains a eulogy from one of Six Alexʼs greatest ever captains and players Bryan Robson ʼto the greatest club manager in the worldʼ.
Tickets for the game were in huge demand. Tickets ordered through Viagogo increased shortly after the announcement of Sir Alexʼs resignation. Many ordering for home areas were United supporters. Albion had to call a halt to the sales through the exchange service which is used by season ticket holders to sell their seat to a fellow Baggies fan if they are unable to attend themselves. With Unitedʼs help, Albion identified that the vast majority of these orders were lodged by United season ticket holders and members.
It felt like the end of an era as big names in the game hung up their boots – Jamie Carragher at Liverpool, Michael Owen at Stoke, Steve Harper at Newcastle, and Paul Scholes at United, surely glad to be out of the limelight once more. There were more managerial moves with Rafa Benitez and David Moyes managing their last games for Chelsea and Everton respectively at the Bridge and referee Mark Halsey who had battled back from cancer to enjoy a second career with the whistle.
Yet all of them were overshadowed by events at The Hawthorns. Typically, it was far from the expected as United were involved in a crazy 5 – 5 draw; one last blast of the ʼhairdryerʼ for the lapse defending, or maybe not. United raced into a 5 – 2 lead just after the hour mark, but three goals in the last 10 minutes saw Albion snatch a point in a remarkable encounter, the first ever 5 – 5 in Premier League history. Half – time substitute Romelu Lukaku scored a hat – trick, the first against United, and his personal first.
Yet the football was a mere sideshow, the players doing their best to join in the party atmosphere reflected by home and visiting supporters alike. The banners were out in force. ʼSir Alex Ferguson + Paul Scholes “Legends” Thanks For All the Memoriesʼ. Another apt placard, read, ʼFERG13” THE GR38Tʼ....ʼFor 26 years you gave us the world, thanks Fergieʼ
Sir Alex received a guard of honour and warm applause from around the Hawthorns before kick – off, shaking hands with referee Michael Oliver, who was only one year and eight months old when plain old Fergie had started his managerial reign at Old Trafford. Buttner and Lindegaard are guaranteed to feature in future pub quiz questions; name Sir Alexʼs final line up. Vidic, Ferdinand, Giggs, Evra and Scholes were on the bench, alongside 18 – year – old Belgian Adnan Junzaj with Wayne Rooney given leave to join his wife Coleen who was expecting their second child.
At the end, the crowd rose to salute the great man. Ushered forward by Ryan Giggs, Sir Alex stood alone in the penalty area facing an army of deliriously happy United fans in the Smethwick End, raised both hands, then applauded the travelling support, and mouthed “Thank You”.
With a broad smile, a final wave to his family in the main stand Regis Suite, he disappeared down the tunnel for the last time as manager, after 2,145 games that began at East Stirling in 1974, to mark, not just, an end of an era at United, but also for English football. Watching in the main stand was Ron Atkinson, his United predecessor at United, and Alex McLeish a reminder of the Aberdeen glory years, as well as England manager Roy Hodgson. Robin Van Persie scored again to finish Premier League top marksman for the second season running with 26 goals, having scored 30 the season before. Sir Alex departed with a ʼno commentʼ, explaining that he was feeling too emotional, not even a word for the in house MUTV. His sole words to the media were that was “very emotional”. He saved his words for a farewell speech to his players and staff, telling them they must look forward to the new Boss.
Sir Alex was reported to have told his players and staff, “If all that weʼve been together means anything to you, thereʼs just one thing Iʼd ask of you all. I donʼt want to hear you call me Boss ever again. Youʼll have a new boss then and heʼs the only one you should call that.”
Michael Carrick, voted player of the year by his team-mates, captained the side, and commented, “Itʼs a bit funny in the dressing room because of the situation. Weʼve thanked the manager for everything heʼs done and heʼs thanked us. Weʼre ready to move on and there are new challenges for all of us. Weʼre looking forward to it. The manager wanted to win but the job for the season is done. Iʼm sure he can retire very satisfied.” Rio remarked, “5 – 5... what a mad result! Let’s be honest the boss was never going out with a boring 0 – 0!!” Javier Hernandez said, “I canʼt remember playing in a match with 10 goals. Weʼre a little bit frustrated because we wanted to win it for the gaffer and Scholesy. The gaffer is certainly going to remember his last match in charge! He is going to remember this game. Itʼs probably the first time United have been 5 – 2 ahead and not won. The gaffer has put the club on the top and weʼre going to miss him. I am going to thank Scholesy too. Heʼs been an incredible team-mate.”
West Brom manager Steve Clarke shared a fine claret with Sir Alex and commented, “Iʼve just had a quick glass of wine with Sir Alex. Heʼs in good spirits. Itʼs a game heʼll certainly remember. Anyone who was in the stadium will remember that game for years to come. I think thatʼs a good tribute. Iʼm not sure Sir Alex would say that it was a fitting way to end. He told me itʼs the first time that any team heʼs been involved with has given away a three-goal lead, and they did it twice in one game. Thatʼs something for us to saviour. I think heʼs just ready for his retirement to be honest. He said it was a great game, he complimented us on the way we played. For Sir Alex, itʼs a great occasion, itʼs a great finale.”
Sir Alex Fergusonʼs Final Record As Manchester United Manager
1500 games, 895 wins, 338 draws, 267 losses
2762 goals for, 1359 goals against
Win percentage 60%.
Title No. 1 ― 1907―08
“He was the Stanley Matthews, David Beckham of his day. He favoured a toothpick which he chewed during matches and he became an inspiration when he won the Cup for United and went on to win the League. He was the icon of his age, a fantastic player, first for Manchester City and later United... and when he became a star he would still write about the shift down the mines in the early hours of Sunday morning...”
GORDON TAYLOR
ERNEST MANGNALL, Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson, between them, have won all 20 of the clubʼs league titles. While Mangnall was the Sir Alex of the start of the Manchester United odyssey, the catalyst for Unitedʼs on field success was Welsh winger wizard Billy Meredith, renowned for his union principles. Meredithʼs long running career puts Ryan Giggsʼ into perspective as Meredith was still turning out for Manchester City in the FA Cup in his 50th year.
When United won their first title they did so finishing an astounding nine points clear of runners – up Aston Villa and Manchester City. Memorably, their season included a 4 – 0 thrashing of rivals Liverpool.
Gordon Taylor, the Mancunian born boss of the players union, paid tribute to Billy Meredith in an interview for ʼ20|13ʼ. Taylor, the PFAʼs long standing chief executive, says, “Billy Meredith was the Stanley Matthews, David Beckham of his day. He favoured a toothpick which he chewed during matches, and he became an inspiration when he won the Cup for United and went on to win the League. He was the icon of his age, a fantastic player, first for Manchester City and later United. He took the bus from North Wales where he lived and when he became a star he would still talk about the shift down the mines in the early hours of Sunday morning after making an arduous journey to play football in places as far away as Newcastle.
“He was a fiercely proud union man from Wales and he campaigned