Alex Ferguson says being a trade union activist kicked off his success

» John Hedges

An Phoblacht Editor

‘I was a shop steward at 19, my dad was a shop steward, my mother was a shop steward. So I had that sort of leaning towards being in control of situations and a will to make sure that you were going to win’

ALEX FERGUSON has said his Glasgow working-class background in a socialist family and as a trade union shop steward helped him to become the most successful team manager in Scottish and English soccer, with 49 trophies.

“I was a good decision-maker as a young kid,” Ferguson told the Daily Mirror. “That has always helped me. I think my trade union background also helped me. I was a shop steward at 19 years of age. I think that helped.

"My dad was a shop steward for a while. My mother was a shop steward for a while. So I had that sort of leaning towards being in control of situations and a will to make sure that you were going to win.”

Ferguson was born in Govan in Glasgow. He worked as an apprentice tool-maker in the Govan shipyards. He became a trade union shop steward and led an unofficial walk-out over a pay dispute.

He was a friend of the late socialist firebrand Jimmy Reid, who became famous worldwide when he led a ‘work-in’ by thousands of shipbuilders on the Clyde during 1971 and 1972, thwarting British Government attempts to close the yards.

Even though he accepted a knighthood to become ‘Sir Alex Ferguson’, Fergie says he is proud of his roots and the socialist values he learned living and working on 'Red Clydeside'. He told SoccerLens website his experiences were important in shaping him and his approach to management.

“It has been fundamental. I was brought up in a socialist background and both of my parents were socialist.

“My father worked in the shipyards, I went into engineering and went into a trade union then. I think that coming from that area definitely encourages involvement in that respect because everyone is working class.”

He is a firm supporter of the British Labour Party.

Ferguson started playing football at senior level with Queen’s Park, an amateur side in Glasgow. He moved on to play for St Johnstone, Dunfermline, Rangers, Falkirk and Ayr United during a 14-year playing career as a striker.

He went on to manage East Stirling briefly before taking the helm at St Mirren and then Aberdeen. Aberdeen won three League titles, four Scottish Cups, one League Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup (including beating Real Madrid) in 1983 under Ferguson. He moved to Manchester United in 1986.

❏  Joint First Minister Martin McGuinness paid tribute to Alex Ferguson:

"We had the honour of having him and the Manchester United team in Belfast last year for the Harry Gregg testimonial.

"Alex Ferguson was very tuned in to the politics of what was happening in the North of Ireland and was hugely supportive of the Peace Process."