Lifetime Achiever Ferguson Warns Chelsea


Big Award

By Chris O'Brien
March 29 2005

Sir Alex Ferguson told Jose Mourinho and his Stamford Bridge parade to keep the champagne on ice as he picked up a lifetime achievement award at the 2005 HMV Football Extravaganza dinner in London. New Page 3

Sir Alex Ferguson was awarded with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2005 HMV Football Extravaganza dinner in London to commemorate a tremendous career in football management. The Scotsman then went onto state he plans to add another Premiership title to his mammoth honours list this season, insisting Chelsea are not yet out of sight at the top of the Football League.

Ferguson's showpiece award took centre stage in the event organised annually to raise money for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy which helps the treatment of disturbed and traumatised children. Those in attendance were reminded of Ferguson's amazing achievements in football, including a host of trophies with United whom he has managed for over 1,000 competitive matches. Ferguson boasts 8 Premiership titles, 5 F.A Cup's, a League Cup, a European Cup, a Cup-Winners Cup, a Super Cup, an Intercontinental Cup and 6 Community Shields in an illustrious eighteen year spell with the Red Devils.

"To be recognised for an award such as this is something to be proud of. But tonight it is more important to talk about the money which will be raised for charity." said the Red Devils boss.

"Every year this dinner has got bigger and bigger. I think football managers should take great credit for supporting it. Last year we raised over £400,000 and hopefully we will beat that - and that will be a success for the charity."

Ferguson went onto deliver a clear message to Chelsea that United have not yet given up hope of winning the Premiership, despite trailing the West London outfit by 11 points. Most bookmakers won't even offer odds on the lads from Stamford Bridge, but Sir Alex is hopeful he can perform his biggest ever comeback to secure a ninth Premiership crown for the Red Army.

"We have to still hope that Chelsea will slip up, but they are having a fantastic season, I must say," he said. "We are through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and hopefully we can retain it."

After a successful playing career, Fergie stepped into management in his native Scotland managing St. Mirren after a brief stint with East Stirlingshire. He did well with limited resources but was sacked in controversial circumstances after falling out with the chairman. Ferguson even tried to take the club to court after fuming over his surprise departure. Aberdeen took advantage of Ferguson's availability, and soon the modest club from Pittodrie dominated Scottish football and became a force on the worldwide scene.

His success was capped in 1983 as Aberdeen beat the mighty Real Madrid 2-1 to take the European Cup Winners-Cup, after breaking the stronghold of the Old Firm domestically. United approached Ferguson and a new journey in English football provided Ferguson with a fresh challenge. An uncertain start is now long forgotten, with Sir Alexander Chapman Ferguson arguable the greatest ever British manager and his Treble success of 1999 perhaps the most glorious season of any club anywhere.

 

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