Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Fergie insists Campbell should have been Manager of the Year
SIR Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to Dick Campbell, insisting he should have been crowned Manager of the Year.
The former Manchester United gaffer recorded a video message for his long-time pal which was shown at the Evening with Dick Campbell event on Sunday in Glasgow.
Podcast host Sean McDonald presented the evening in front of a packed Saint Luke’s venue, recapping the iconic Arbroath manager’s career spanning more than 30 years.
The Lichties gaffer has spoken previously about messages of support he has received from Sir Alex, following the Lichties incredible season in the Championship.
The pair have a longstanding friendship which originates from their early coaching days at the SFA academy in Largs.
The Angus club narrowly missed out on an odds-defying league win, finishing just two points behind champions Kilmarnock.
Campbell was nominated for several manager of the year gongs but missed out on all of them to Celtic’s Ange Postecoglou.
During the evening honouring Campbell, Sir Alex’s message was played out to the audience.
He said: “Dick, in tribute to you tonight in front of a great audience, Tom Callaghan has been asking questions about you. I could give a few myself but I don’t want to embarrass you tonight.
“What a great season you’ve had, Dick.
“I said, when I told you the other day, you should have been Manager of the Year.”
The evening also saw Campbell, the oldest football manager in Scottish senior football at 68, meet with the youngest.
Bailey Hanlon is just 22 and takes charge of West of Scotland side Kilsyth Athletic.
Posting on social media, the club wrote: “The oldest and youngest senior team managers in Scotland.
“An absolute pleasure for our gaffer Bailey to meet the Arbroath manager tonight at an Evening with Dick Campbell.
“Hopefully the first of many meetings between the two in years to come.”