Prayers and best wishes to Fergie

He was an Honest Man for 29 games

Of all the towns and cities that could lay a claim to the playing side of Alex Ferguson’s extraordinary career – including Perth, Dunfermline, Glasgow and Falkirk – then the little old Ayr would be the weakest link.

Back in the 1973/ 74 season, he pulled Ayr’s black and white jersey on just 29 times. Compared to 31 appearances for Queen’s Park, 37 for St Johnstone, 89 for Dunfermline, 41 for Rangers and 95 for Falkirk, his Somerset Park days might merit a footnote at the end of a footballing biography that – so far – has no equal. A well known football expert once cornered me in a Glasgow boozer and told me a story of how Ayr United’s directors once pondered over who could replace the irreplaceable Ally MacLeod. It seems they were on the team bus, heading for an away game, and discussing a list of possible contenders. According to my pundit pal, one of the directors said, “What about the lad two seats behind us? He’s nearing the end of his playing days, and very experienced.” The others boardroom suits glanced behind - then and shook their heads in unison. “No – he will never make it. He’s not football management material”. The “expert” was saving his punch line for the end . . . “And do you know the name of the player they were talking about . . . ALEX FERGUSON!” I waited until his glee had calmed a little before asking him a question. “Well, Ally MacLeod replaced Jimmy Bonthrone at Aberdeen in 1975. Alex Ferguson was appointed manager of East Stirling in June 1974. Why would the East Stirling manager be on an Ayr United team bus?” The answer was an embarrassing silence. . and a rather urgent departure. That tale is years old – but hearing Fergie’s name always leaves me thinking of what could have been. And we have been hearing his name a lot this week. Had Ally left a year earlier – or Fergie played another season at Somerset Park – the greatest manager in football history could have been sitting in Tryfield Place. Would he have done a better job than 1975 replacement, Alex Stuart? Probably. Would he have done a better job than 1979s Willie MacLean? Definitely. In fact, the imaginary driver of the imaginary team bus would have done a better job than Willie MacLean! But Ayr’s real claim to recognition in all of this was that Ally inspired and encouraged Fergie to take the £ 40 week post at East Stirling – and start his stellar managerial career. It’s a fact Fergie was pleased to admit to anyone listening when he attended Ally MacLeod’s funeral. But here’s another ‘ team bus’ anecdote. When Walter Smith left Rangers in 1998, the Daily Record tasked me to get a host of Scottish managers to wear Walter’s trademark sleeveless cardigan. They would ‘ Photoshop’ all the managers together - all wearing their “Walter” - as a farewell gift to Smith. I ventured south to grab Scots managers like George Graham and Gordon Strachan – but Fergie wearing a “Walter” was the ultimate prize. I finally got him - and we snapped him with his “Walter” at a hastily arranged meeting in a London hotel. I thought I’d better make some light conversation. “Mr Ferguson, I was with the local Ayr paper in ’ 74 when you were at Somerset. I used to travel with you on the team bus . . .” Fergie looked me full in the face. “Naw son – ah don’t remember ye . . “And then disappeared into a lift. I know everyone in Ayr connected with Sir Alex – through friendship, football or his love of horse racing - will wish him well.

I know everyone in Ayr connected with Sir Alex will wish him well