Ferguson tribute to former United director Watkins
Former Manchester United director Maurice Watkins has died at the age of 79.
The solicitor, who had been battling prostate cancer, spent 28 years as a director at United from 1984. That included navigating the club through the legal process that followed Eric Cantona’s kung-fu kick on a Crystal Palace supporter in 1995, and brokering the deal under which Sir Alex Ferguson stayed on as United manager after the Scot had decided to step down in 2002.
Ferguson said in a statement: “Maurice was really supportive during my time as manager and great company. In my 26 years there were some rocky moments and he was always there with wise advice.
“His legal experience was invaluable. When I called him to say I wanted to stay at United, he said they had already sorted a new manager, but not to worry he would dig us out. And he did. He was a true gentleman.”
United said in a message posted on Twitter: “All at Manchester United are deeply saddened by the loss of our former director, Maurice Watkins, who served the club with such distinction for over a quarter of a century.”
After leaving United in 2012, Watkins, who was head of sport law for Brabners solicitors in Manchester, was appointed as chairman of British Swimming. Jack Buckner, the chief executive, said: “He has been a leader of deep wisdom and patient intelligence, the wise steward at the heart of the sport.”
Watkins was also a director of Lancashire County Cricket Club, chairman of the European Swimming Legal Committee and a trustee of the Professional Footballers Pension Scheme.
Watkins, made a CBE in 2011 for services to charity, helped raise more than £68million as chairman of the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital charity appeals board.