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Manchester United fans line the streets to bid farewell to Alex Ferguson Manchester United fans line the streets to bid farewell to Alex Ferguson
(4 months later)
There was wind, there was hail, there was thunder and lightning and sideways rain. But a bit of bad weather failed to deter the tens of thousands of United fans who jostled for position on Manchester's streets on Monday afternoon to bid farewell to the most successful manager in British football history.There was wind, there was hail, there was thunder and lightning and sideways rain. But a bit of bad weather failed to deter the tens of thousands of United fans who jostled for position on Manchester's streets on Monday afternoon to bid farewell to the most successful manager in British football history.
"Apart from my daughter, that man has given me the greatest moments of my life," said Mitch Wills, who was waiting for the team to arrive at Albert Square, outside the city's neo-gothic town hall. It had been an emotional five days, said the 27-year-old: "It feels like I've lost a member of my family.""Apart from my daughter, that man has given me the greatest moments of my life," said Mitch Wills, who was waiting for the team to arrive at Albert Square, outside the city's neo-gothic town hall. It had been an emotional five days, said the 27-year-old: "It feels like I've lost a member of my family."
He could barely be heard above his brother Greg, 18, and their dad Brad, 56, who bellowed a medley of United tunes, including a reimagining of the US marine hymn The Halls Of Montezuma, which began: "From the banks of the River Irwell/To the shores of Sicily" and culminated with the poetic: "To hell with Liverpool/To hell with Man City - (They're shit!)/ We will fight, fight, fight for United/ 'Till we win the Football League."He could barely be heard above his brother Greg, 18, and their dad Brad, 56, who bellowed a medley of United tunes, including a reimagining of the US marine hymn The Halls Of Montezuma, which began: "From the banks of the River Irwell/To the shores of Sicily" and culminated with the poetic: "To hell with Liverpool/To hell with Man City - (They're shit!)/ We will fight, fight, fight for United/ 'Till we win the Football League."
Over at Old Trafford, as the team started to appear on the top deck of a custom-decorated red double decker bus, the grey skies turned blue, the sun came out and the city air was alive with chants of "Championes! Championes!". Long before the players came into sight and the rain stopped, Sir Matt Busby Way had been closed by police after reaching its 20,000 capacity.Over at Old Trafford, as the team started to appear on the top deck of a custom-decorated red double decker bus, the grey skies turned blue, the sun came out and the city air was alive with chants of "Championes! Championes!". Long before the players came into sight and the rain stopped, Sir Matt Busby Way had been closed by police after reaching its 20,000 capacity.
The parade, originally planned to celebrate Manchester United's 13th premiership title, was already in the diary before Sir Alex Ferguson made his shock announcement. But his resignation assured that a big street party turned into an extravaganza, with Manchester city centre swollen with fans who had turned out especially to say goodbye to Fergie.The parade, originally planned to celebrate Manchester United's 13th premiership title, was already in the diary before Sir Alex Ferguson made his shock announcement. But his resignation assured that a big street party turned into an extravaganza, with Manchester city centre swollen with fans who had turned out especially to say goodbye to Fergie.
When the man himself took to the microphone outside the ground, he could barely be heard above the cheers. Wearing a black puffa jacket embroidered with his initials, he beamed at the crowd as they chanted his name.When the man himself took to the microphone outside the ground, he could barely be heard above the cheers. Wearing a black puffa jacket embroidered with his initials, he beamed at the crowd as they chanted his name.
He thanked them for the send off at Old Trafford on Sunday, saying it was an experience he and his grandchildren would never forget.He thanked them for the send off at Old Trafford on Sunday, saying it was an experience he and his grandchildren would never forget.
But his mind, as ever, was on the club to which he has devoted 26 and a half years of his life: "Tomorrow night our under 21s are playing Liverpool up across the road. I hope some of you come and cheer the lads on," he said.But his mind, as ever, was on the club to which he has devoted 26 and a half years of his life: "Tomorrow night our under 21s are playing Liverpool up across the road. I hope some of you come and cheer the lads on," he said.
Ryan Giggs, who has played a part in virtually all the Scot's 38 trophies, said he was sad to see his mentor leave. "It has been tough, especially for the players who have known him for a long time," said Giggs. "We are delighted that we were able to end on a high and won the league in his last season."Ryan Giggs, who has played a part in virtually all the Scot's 38 trophies, said he was sad to see his mentor leave. "It has been tough, especially for the players who have known him for a long time," said Giggs. "We are delighted that we were able to end on a high and won the league in his last season."
The only boos coming when Wayne Rooney boarded the bus.The only boos coming when Wayne Rooney boarded the bus.
Much of the merchandise being flogged on street corners ribbed supporters of Manchester's other team: "Don't be bitter, get better!" said one flag, listing United's 20 English titles alongside City's three. Mike Brundrett, a kitchen and bathroom fitter, had spent Monday making a special anti-tribute to the most traitorous United player in recent history: a white lavatory seat on a stick, across which he had scrawled "Tevez is toilet".Much of the merchandise being flogged on street corners ribbed supporters of Manchester's other team: "Don't be bitter, get better!" said one flag, listing United's 20 English titles alongside City's three. Mike Brundrett, a kitchen and bathroom fitter, had spent Monday making a special anti-tribute to the most traitorous United player in recent history: a white lavatory seat on a stick, across which he had scrawled "Tevez is toilet".
Birmingham University students Luke Abbott and Sam Wood had paid £5 for t-shirts asking "Why always us?" – a nod to Mario Balotelli's famous vest, which mused about his propensity for getting in scraps.Birmingham University students Luke Abbott and Sam Wood had paid £5 for t-shirts asking "Why always us?" – a nod to Mario Balotelli's famous vest, which mused about his propensity for getting in scraps.
Their tops listed the 38 trophies won since Ferguson took over in November 1986. Outside the Manchester City store, United fans held up a red banner with a hand painted portrait of Sir Alex and a slogan which summed up the feelings of everyone who turned out on Monday night: "The greatest. No doubt about that."Their tops listed the 38 trophies won since Ferguson took over in November 1986. Outside the Manchester City store, United fans held up a red banner with a hand painted portrait of Sir Alex and a slogan which summed up the feelings of everyone who turned out on Monday night: "The greatest. No doubt about that."
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