SAF - A personal opinion

There has been plenty written on here about SAF. His involvement in the Glazer takeover because of his whole fall-out over the horse issue. The state of the team he left when he retired. His baffling choice as a successor.

I just want to say something about the person himself.

A while ago, my uncle was diagnosed with a brain tumour. One of the ways this impacted on his life was the withdrawal of his driving licence. Him & my aunt are ST holders in the Stretty but they live in Sheffield. So my uncle not being able to drive made things difficult for them getting to OT as altho my aunt drives, she is very uncomfortable driving anywhere but very locally.
So, for match days they changed their routine. They got the train to Manchester. They'd stay over and go home the following day. They're both retired, so they have the time to do things like that.

Unfortunately even this got too much for my uncle. He wasn't able to cope with this. And being a proud man, he didn't say anything about it, he didn't ask for help, he just stopped going to United.
So my aunt got in touch with her ex-husband. My uncle & he had always got on very well - he had met my aunt after her divorce & my uncle has been a good step-father to his 2 children. My aunt told her ex that my uncle was missing the football, and could he help. He said of course he could. He picked my uncle up in his chauffeur driven car, took him to OT, sat with him in the Directors seats next to SAF, spent half time getting a bite to eat sat next to SAF & then 2nd half back to watch the game.

Oh yeah, maybe I should shave said - my aunts ex-husband is Howard Wilkinson. Yup, ex-Leeds & England manager Howard Wilkinson.

Anyway, my uncle's condition has worsened. The tumour has split in 2 & increased in size. The hospital have stopped treatment & he has been admitted to a hospice. They're arranging for him to be transferred home but now it is just a case of making him comfortable.
He had a parcel delivered to him the other day. SAF's latest book. Not just signed by SAF, but a very lengthy personal inscription written inside the book.

He's only met my uncle once. He must be introduced to hundreds of people every month but not only did he remember him, he took the time to ask after him & them send the book.

A top man who made my uncle very happy.

Originally Posted by Fat Al

There has been plenty written on here about SAF. His involvement in the Glazer takeover because of his whole fall-out over the horse issue. The state of the team he left when he retired. His baffling choice as a successor.

I just want to say something about the person himself.

A while ago, my uncle was diagnosed with a brain tumour. One of the ways this impacted on his life was the withdrawal of his driving licence. Him & my aunt are ST holders in the Stretty but they live in Sheffield. So my uncle not being able to drive made things difficult for them getting to OT as altho my aunt drives, she is very uncomfortable driving anywhere but very locally.
So, for match days they changed their routine. They got the train to Manchester. They'd stay over and go home the following day. They're both retired, so they have the time to do things like that.

Unfortunately even this got too much for my uncle. He wasn't able to cope with this. And being a proud man, he didn't say anything about it, he didn't ask for help, he just stopped going to United.
So my aunt got in touch with her ex-husband. My uncle & he had always got on very well - he had met my aunt after her divorce & my uncle has been a good step-father to his 2 children. My aunt told her ex that my uncle was missing the football, and could he help. He said of course he could. He picked my uncle up in his chauffeur driven car, took him to OT, sat with him in the Directors seats next to SAF, spent half time getting a bite to eat sat next to SAF & then 2nd half back to watch the game.

Oh yeah, maybe I should shave said - my aunts ex-husband is Howard Wilkinson. Yup, ex-Leeds & England manager Howard Wilkinson.

Anyway, my uncle's condition has worsened. The tumour has split in 2 & increased in size. The hospital have stopped treatment & he has been admitted to a hospice. They're arranging for him to be transferred home but now it is just a case of making him comfortable.
He had a parcel delivered to him the other day. SAF's latest book. Not just signed by SAF, but a very lengthy personal inscription written inside the book.

He's only met my uncle once. He must be introduced to hundreds of people every month but not only did he remember him, he took the time to ask after him & them send the book.

A top man who made my uncle very happy.

Fergie

Sorry to hear about your uncle. Lovely gesture by SAF though and glad it meant a lot to your Uncle.

Ferie

There are good reasons why he was popular with most of his fellow (and "rival") managers, despite his flaws.

Cracking post Al.

Fergie really is a top man with stuff like that. For all the ones we hear about, I bet there's a shit load that we don't. His personal touch and remembering little details about people was a big part towards how successful he was. Top man. And sorry to hear about your uncle.

what a great post.

sorry to hear about your uncle, al. it shows what a man fergie is when you hear stuff like this and like draggers says, it'll just be the tip of the iceberg.

Sorry to hear about your uncle. Thanks for sharing the story.

(And it's nice to see that the old goat still has his good moments.)

Not wishing to one up you here, Al, but I once lived with a girl who served Freg and Sir Matt at a golf club restaurant.

She said he was lovely. Not all the guests she served that night were.

A true mark of the man.

Originally Posted by Fat Al

There has been plenty written on here about SAF. His involvement in the Glazer takeover because of his whole fall-out over the horse issue. The state of the team he left when he retired. His baffling choice as a successor.

I just want to say something about the person himself.

A while ago, my uncle was diagnosed with a brain tumour. One of the ways this impacted on his life was the withdrawal of his driving licence. Him & my aunt are ST holders in the Stretty but they live in Sheffield. So my uncle not being able to drive made things difficult for them getting to OT as altho my aunt drives, she is very uncomfortable driving anywhere but very locally.
So, for match days they changed their routine. They got the train to Manchester. They'd stay over and go home the following day. They're both retired, so they have the time to do things like that.

Unfortunately even this got too much for my uncle. He wasn't able to cope with this. And being a proud man, he didn't say anything about it, he didn't ask for help, he just stopped going to United.
So my aunt got in touch with her ex-husband. My uncle & he had always got on very well - he had met my aunt after her divorce & my uncle has been a good step-father to his 2 children. My aunt told her ex that my uncle was missing the football, and could he help. He said of course he could. He picked my uncle up in his chauffeur driven car, took him to OT, sat with him in the Directors seats next to SAF, spent half time getting a bite to eat sat next to SAF & then 2nd half back to watch the game.

Oh yeah, maybe I should shave said - my aunts ex-husband is Howard Wilkinson. Yup, ex-Leeds & England manager Howard Wilkinson.

Anyway, my uncle's condition has worsened. The tumour has split in 2 & increased in size. The hospital have stopped treatment & he has been admitted to a hospice. They're arranging for him to be transferred home but now it is just a case of making him comfortable.
He had a parcel delivered to him the other day. SAF's latest book. Not just signed by SAF, but a very lengthy personal inscription written inside the book.

He's only met my uncle once. He must be introduced to hundreds of people every month but not only did he remember him, he took the time to ask after him & them send the book.

A top man who made my uncle very happy.

Marvellous gesture.

He was still wrong about Stam tho.

nice touch from bacon face

Originally Posted by Child of Darkness

Marvellous gesture.

He was still wrong about Stam tho.

Which he has admitted to.

Lovely post mate. Nice one for sharing.

As Draggers says, there's loads of stories knocking about where Fergie shows that personal touch and capacity to remember little details. His reputation will always be that of a tough guy, but people in the game seem to think otherwise when it comes to stuff like this.

Sorry to hear about your uncle, mate.

Originally Posted by elephantstone

nice touch from bacon face

+1 regarding the sentiments about your uncle.

Fergie is renowned for his class and personal touch when it comes to dealing with fans (a few notable exceptions aside).

It's part of what has made him such a respected man, he makes a habit of going the extra mile.

That would've lifted your unc's spirits up, no end. Hope it goes as comfortable as it can for him.



Pity the scum in the media go out their way to portray a negative image of the great man.

I could get someone to post something complimentary about me on here in theory. It wouldn't be representative though.

Originally Posted by forzagarza

I could get someone to post something complimentary about me on here in theory. It wouldn't be representative though.

True

Sorry to hear about your Uncle's illness.

I am not surprised to hear about Fergie's empathy in this situation. There are plenty who worked at United over the years which includes all the non-playing staff at MUFC that said he was fantastic at giving personal time to individuals and made sure all employees of the club were involved in celebrating the teams success.

The crook that used to run the LDN supporters coach used say that Fergie was a personal friend of his. When Fergie announced his retirement the first time round this fella arranged a dinner function at a hall in Golders Green the night before Arsenal away when Barthez gifted Henry a goal or two.

This fella sold the tickets with the promise of photos and autographs with Fergie. When the night came he stood on stage at the beginning and told everyone that Fergie would not be doing photo's or signatures and would only answer questions. Later in the night I clocked Fergie sneaking off to the toilet and I followed him in and stood next to him taking a piss and I told him what this fella had promised and not delivered.

Within in ten minutes of being back at my table Fergie had sent McGuiness and Creand to my table and told us that we would be invited up first to get our five minutes with him. They then did the same with the rest of the tables.

Top bloke away from the pitch despite what else has happened during his time at United

Originally Posted by Marlon Van Baron

Sorry to hear about your Uncle's illness.

I am not surprised to hear about Fergie's empathy in this situation. There are plenty who worked at United over the years which includes all the non-playing staff at MUFC that said he was fantastic at giving personal time to individuals and made sure all employees of the club were involved in celebrating the teams success.

The crook that used to run the LDN supporters coach used say that Fergie was a personal friend of his. When Fergie announced his retirement the first time round this fella arranged a dinner function at a hall in Golders Green the night before Arsenal away when Barthez gifted Henry a goal or two.

This fella sold the tickets with the promise of photos and autographs with Fergie. When the night came he stood on stage at the beginning and told everyone that Fergie would not be doing photo's or signatures and would only answer questions. Later in the night I clocked Fergie sneaking off to the toilet and I followed him in and stood next to him taking a piss and I told him what this fella had promised and not delivered.

Within in ten minutes of being back at my table Fergie had sent McGuiness and Creand to my table and told us that we would be invited up first to get our five minutes with him. They then did the same with the rest of the tables.

Top bloke away from the pitch despite what else has happened during his time at United

Did you get a look?