George is one of the few to have said ‘No’ to Fergie
Sir Alex Ferguson has been retired from management for eight years, but remains a massive figure in football.
His influence was still in evidence when he stepped in to make sure Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t sign for Manchester City, and instead joined Manchester United for a second time.
Very few people would have turned down Britain’s most-successful boss, as his ability to persuade players to work with him was developed over the years.
But George Nicol was one of the few. He recalled: “I suppose my claim to fame is that I turned down Alex Ferguson.
“I have to always quickly say that he wasn’t at Manchester United at the time – or even Aberdeen.
“He was a player-coach at Falkirk when I was playing for Bannockburn Amateurs in 1973.
“There were a number of teams looking at me, and I had a few trials.
“Fergie wanted me to sign for Falkirk, but my heart was set on joining Stirling Albion. I grew up supporting the club and have supported them all my life, so I was delighted when they made me an offer.
“Bob Shankly was the manager at the time. Frank Beattie was then in charge for a year before Alex Smith took over.
“Falkirk weren’t the only team I turned down. There were quite a few others interested, like Kilmarnock and Hamilton Accies.
“It might seem unusual, but I never wanted to be a full-time footballer.
“My dad, also George, had been a full-time goalkeeper with Falkirk and Aldershot. He later played with Alloa, Stenhousemuir, Stirling Albion and Brechin City.
“He wanted me to have the certainty of a trade behind me, and I ended up working for British Telecom for 44 years.
“I never had any regrets about joining Albion. I had the best time ever during eight seasons with them.
“We had a good team, and were probably just a player or two short of reaching the top flight during my time.
“The great thing is that a lot of the players from my era are still in touch. We meet up, and regularly take part in charity games of golf.”
There were some notable glory days for Stirling Albion when Alex Smith began to build a reputation in management.
George recalled: “We took Aberdeen to three games when they won the League Cup in 1976.
“After a 1-0 win for both teams, it went to a playoff game at Dens Park, and we were beaten 2-0.
“Then in 1980, we came agonisingly close to knocking Celtic out of the League Cup.
“We had won the home leg 1-0, and then Matty Mcphee made it 2-0 on aggregate early in the second leg at Parkhead.
“Celtic got a goal back, but didn’t draw level until Tommy Burns scored with three minutes to go. Their full-time fitness took over during extra-time, and they got another four goals.”
George, who turned 69 yesterday, moved to Dundee United in 1981. But it proved to be short spell with the Tangerines, and he had just one firstteam outing during three months at Tannadice.
He wasn’t the first or last player to find working with Jim Mclean something of a challenge.
“I played a trial game against Celtic reserves, and was offered a contract,” he went on.
“I’d loved my time with Albion, but thought I might try something different with a team that was challenging for honours.
“I don’t want to say too much, but it wasn’t a move that worked out well.
“I was prepared to give up football at the time, but then Pat Stanton called me at work. He was managing Dunfermline, and was looking for a defender.
“They agreed a small fee with United, and I spent a couple of years at the Pars.
“I then had to give up because of a pelvic injury.”