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Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
'I still always visit Sir Alex Ferguson's house – even though he branded me a Big Time Charlie'
Sir Alex Ferguson made many comments throughout his football career, but there was one particular quip the Govan-born manager made which is still repeated today Sir Alex Ferguson was a master of verbal warfare, who was never shy of airing his fierce opinions - but few of his comments were as sharp as his description of former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince. Back in April 1998, ahead of a Premier League showdown with Liverpool, Ferguson was dishing out his tactical wisdom. His focus sharpened on his former United player Ince, who had made the switch from Inter Milan to Merseyside the summer before. Ferguson's voice rose, not quite to the decibel-shattering heights of his infamous hairdryer rants, but with enough volume to command the undivided attention of anyone donning a United kit. It was during this moment, captured by cameras for the Granada documentary 'The Alex Ferguson Story', he unleashed one of his most memorable put-downs. "If he tries to bully you he will f***ing enjoy it. Don't ever let him bully you. Right," Ferguson, who also won the European Cup Winners Cup, three Scottish Championships and four Scottish Cups as manager of Aberdeen between 1978 and 1986, was recorded saying. "You just make sure you are ready for him. That's all you need to worry about. He's a f***ing big-time Charlie." Those last words encapsulated Ferguson's disdain for oversized egos within the squad. In 2008, the legendary manager expressed regret over those remarks, labelling them a "mistake" and vowing to keep future team talks off camera. Indeed, the one person who concurred with Ferguson's assessment was none other than Ince himself. While speaking to the Manchester Evening News and representing bet365, the 'Guv'nor' said: "Am I a big time Charlie? Probably, yeah. I played for the biggest clubs in the world. You've got to have that kind of arrogance, not to the extent people don't like you. "But you've got to have some kind of big-time mindset to play for the biggest clubs in the world. In a way, he was right, but it's nothing that was ever going to affect me because I know how close we were." Ince was able to shake off his comments with barely a shrug. While Ferguson's stinging quip would go on to be latched to Ince, the ex-midfielder was not concerned or offended. They are still good friends today, who compete on a different green surface. Ince added: "I will always go to his house and play snooker, and kick his a***, and I will always pick my phone up to ring him." A decade on from Ferguson's infamous comment, which had been broadcasted widely, the legendary manager faced Ince, then at the helm of Blackburn Rovers. Prior to their encounter, Ferguson said: "I regret saying that. That was a mistake. "We let a camera into our dressing room, which we had never done before, and it won't happen again. It wasn't a personality issue with Paul. With Paul you could not have a honeymoon all the time, because he was such a volatile character, but he never let us down." Reflecting on Ferguson's rare admission of regret, Ince made it clear that he felt nothing - as the comment never had an effect in the first place. "Listen, people seem to have the impression that me and Sir Alex Ferguson never got on," Ince said. "I used to speak to him all the time and when I was managing Blackburn Rovers, I was on the phone to him all the time. When he said it, I was playing for Liverpool and, really, I think he was trying to wind up the likes of Roy Keane and say, 'Oh Ince, he's just a big time Charlie,' and all this type of stuff. "Things like that didn't affect me. Maybe it would with players from today, but not Paul Ince back in my time. The fact that he regretted saying it was neither here nor there. The comment did not affect our friendship."
Daily Record
25-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Aberdeen Scottish Cup win as great as Gothenburg as chairman Dave Cormack revels in Celtic Hampden triumph
The life-long Red has seen the glory years and reckons Jimmy Thelin's success is right up there Proud chairman Dave Cormack watched the Scottish Cup come back down Union Street and admitted it was just as great as Gothenburg. The fan turned power broker was delighted to see the Dons return their first trophy under his direct stewardship. It meant everything to Cormack and his family who have ploughed millions into the club and are set to invest even more. The life-long Red has seen the glory years and reckons Jimmy Thelin's success was up there when he travelled to Gothenburg to watch Aberdeen lift the European Cup Winners Cup back in 1983. Cormack, who became chairman in 2019, said: 'This is right up there with Gothenburg. 'I was at Gothenburg, this is a different era, but it's up there because it's been such a long time. 'Thirty-five years is too long for the Scottish Cup. It makes all the tough times and things you go through worthwhile.' Cormack has ploughed millions into his home city club. He admitted it is not about him but giving the people of Aberdeen something back. He said: 'It's not about me, I want to be an ambassador for the city and the football club. It's special, it's been such a long time. 'I'm delighted for the city and our supporters worldwide, you can see what it means to people.' Cormack has vowed to back Thelin again this summer and he will get the £5million plus European bounty to bolster his Scottish Cup-winning squad. The Dons have hit the jackpot by lifting the cup and guaranteeing themselves European group stage football. It means the Reds will go into the play-off round of the Europa League but even if they don't progress they would still drop into the league section of the Europa Conference League. The chairman has confirmed Thelin will get the money from that and his own family has also just put in £8m - although most of that will be going to building an indoor training facility at Cormack Park. The Pittodrie side has already been active in the transfer window signing Nicolas Milanovic from Western Sydney Wanderers for around £400,000 and are also pretty far down the road on signing a goalkeeper and left-back. There will be more business done to make sure Aberdeen have a good balance and don't let their domestic campaign bomb as it did when they were last in the group stages two seasons ago. Cormack acknowledged: 'Hearts and Aberdeen have both struggled with league form in the European group stages. 'We need to sort that out this season so we can play Thursday and Sunday without it impacting us. 'We have learned a lot from the last time, you need such a strong squad to deal with it. 'We have to have squad rotation with a good squad and that means investment. 'It will happen, absolutely. We backed Jimmy last summer and in January. 'My family have put another £8million into the club, we'll get £5million gross from being in Europe. 'So we have a clear plan of what we want to do. We are already well underway with signings.' Aberdeen have made it clear that their model is to develop players and sell them on, like they have done in recent years with Lewis Ferguson, Bojan Miovski and Ylber Ramadani. Cormack believes it is the only way to keep Aberdeen up fighting at the top end of Scottish football. He said: 'We have been working for the last five to six years on this player trading model, it doesn't happen overnight. 'We had to get the strategy in place around it, so if you lose a player you have a good one coming in. 'The league is a lot more competitive than it was ten years ago. 'Ten years ago Hearts and Hibs got relegated, Rangers were coming back up and Dundee United were gone for five years. 'The good news is there's been a lot of investment, United, Hearts, Hibs, Rangers and Celtic are heavy investors.' The American-based tycoon moved heaven and earth to bring Jimmy Thelin in from Elsborg last summer. The Swedish side rejected their initial approaches but Cormack refused to take no for an answer and eventually got him to Pittodrie this summer. It started with an unbeaten run and then the wheels came off. Aberdeen got back on track and qualified for Europe but fell to fifth place before Thelin eclipsed that with their first trophy in 11 years. Cormack claimed: 'In this day and age, there's not a lot of patience around - not just in football, but in society. 'Jimmy has a really good track record, he's worked for two Swedish clubs over 14 years. 'We want him here for the long-term. Jimmy isn't a job-hopper, he likes projects. 'He turned down jobs in the English Championship to come here because he liked the project and the people. 'Elfsborg turned us down for him a few times, we had to be patient but that made us even more determined to get him. 'At the end of the day, Jimmy wants to play attacking, pressing football but Hampden is a big pitch. 'I didn't know what they were doing, despite some people thinking I pick the team! 'He got it right on the day, the players were fantastic, the back five played incredibly well.' Cormack will let Thelin enjoy his success and then they are likely to discuss a potential contract extension. His boss admitted he will enjoy this success but from today he will be looking forward. He stated: 'The way I'm wired, I'll enjoy this for a day then start looking to the future. 'Life doesn't promise you a bed of roses, you have to work hard and be strong-willed.' Thelin has helped re-energise the Red Army. They have got behind him and his team and Cormack reckons the 20,000 at Hampden all played their part. 'The fans were unbelievable on Saturday,' he claimed. 'When the SFA said they'd give us 15,000 tickets or whatever it was, or buy 20,000 we had no hesitation. 'It showed you what it meant to them yesterday and the fans played their part. 'I was confident during the week, I had a feeling during the week that if we could put things together for ninety or 120 minuted we'd do it. 'If we'd lost the penalty shootout, we'd come back and dust ourselves off then get ready for next season. 'As soon as the first one is saved, you think 'oh, here we go' and that's the way it turned out. 'It was fantastic.'
Press and Journal
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Press and Journal
Moray Barber: We need Annie Inglis spirit to save Aberdeen Arts Centre I spent a decade helping to run
Have a think about the great leaders the world has seen, the people who have changed the lives of others for the better. They were all optimists. Could Gandhi have sacrificed so much if he didn't believe that the colonialists would eventually change their minds and leave India? When Martin Luther King said: 'I have a dream', do you think he meant 'I'm hopeful but I can't see it happening to be honest'? Of course not. Malala, Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela – all believed they could effect positive change. And what about Alex Ferguson on his way to Gothenburg to beat Real Madrid in the European Cup Winners Cup? Ok, that was perhaps self-belief over optimism but I'm sure many of the fans sailing on the St Clair were the latter. Self-belief and optimism are closely intertwined but when the balance tips towards the optimist that's when real change can happen. However, it's hard to be an optimist in challenging times. The Aberdeen Arts Centre is experiencing an incredibly challenging time following an unsuccessful application this year for funding from the city council. Its long-term sustainability is at risk. The team behind Aberdeen Arts Centre has mobilised the community – past, present and future – to rally around, to find their voice. It's a group of people who know and understand that the Arts Centre isn't simply a building. It's a fundamental part of their lives. I could write another essay on the importance of culture in our lives. However, for now, this is a story about local people and what they can achieve in challenging times with the required dose of resilience, self-belief and optimism. When the 'Save the Arts Centre' campaign was launched earlier this week, my social media was flooded with people sharing the news. It demonstrates how much the place is beloved by people in the north-east. Tens (hundreds?) of thousands of people must have been on the stage, watched their sons or daughters perform there, been to see friends' star shine. They'll have laughed and cried. They'll have seen lives change for the better there. Support has been pledged from inspirational creative forces including Laura Main, Brian Cox and Dame Evelyn Glennie. A video was released starring a young performer from Phoenix Theatre, a group who have steadfastly stood by the Arts Centre through thick and thin. Somewhat poignantly, the youth Theatre Group Ragamuffins are celebrating their 30th-anniversary production with The Little Mermaid at the Arts Centre this week. There are too many other similar groups to name here. See the themes? Youth, encouragement, commitment, community. The Arts Centre represents the beating heart of the city – it isn't simply a building. It is a home for creative young people. It offers users a chance to learn new skills and it brings people together. At times like these, we need this more than ever. It champions new, emerging talent – writers, musicians, performers. The team at Aberdeen Arts Centre know these artists. Its independence as a venue gives it the permission to support everyone. Despite constant reductions in funding over the years, the ethos has always been to offer affordable opportunities for the city's young people. Full disclosure, I was on the Board for 10 years and love the place and what it stands for. As a student, I was fortunate to meet and work with Annie Inglis, who fought her own dogged but inspiring campaign to rally the community and keep the Arts Centre alive in the late 90s when the city council wanted to close it. Annie and her team won the day. How? By demonstrating that the Arts Centre was the only place in the city that could support grassroots theatre. To offer inclusive creative learning programmes. By bringing the community together. Yes, there are other theatres in the city. There is only one Arts Centre that can truly provide those things. The ask is simple – the centre needs either donations, for you to spread the word of the financial support required in the hope others can contribute or to simply show up and demonstrate your support. Or to go see and show and maybe donate a pound on your way out. I've two additional asks – one for the local councillors and one for everyone else. To anyone reading this who thinks a pledge, no matter how small, won't make a difference, then be optimistic. It will make a difference to the lives of so many young people, current and in the future. Secondly, I'd like to see the elected councillors form a cross-party working group to collaborate on how they can help the Arts Centre. Cross party you say? Now? It might feel like a big ask, but it's not. Not really. It's a bit of energy, time, collaboration, positivity and leadership. Imagine the goodwill that those participating councillors might create if they did? Of course, they are busy. We all are. But, hey, I'm an optimist. The technologist Kevin Kelly has the following as his website by-line: 'Over the long term, the future is decided by optimists'. So, whilst the community does its bit to raise the funds required and rallies around our local institution, I believe that the elected officials will think about the good they can do in the world over the long term and support the volunteers who have played their part in keeping the stage lights on for the last 25 or so years. Thanks to anyone who has already supported the cause and to anyone who is considering getting involved. The Arts Centre needs your creativity. And it needs your belief in securing a brighter future. Link to donate – Moray Barber is managing partner at EY Aberdeen and a performer and writer with The Flying Pigs
Daily Mirror
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd icon sums up club in three words as Amorim compared to Ferguson
Manchester United legend Brian McClair sees some similarities with how the club were when he joined them in 1987 and the current side, who play in the Europa League final on Wednesday Brian McClair believes the definition of what constitutes Manchester United's DNA can be captured in three simple words - class, humility, dignity. The former Scottish international striker, who spent 11 years at Old Trafford while Sir Alex Ferguson was restoring the standards first laid down by Sir Matt Busby, has warned that until the Reds rediscover their identity then the lifeblood of the club will continue to drain away. Ruben Amorim is the latest manager to be tasked with getting the Stretford End arising - and McClair believes a comparison can be made between the club he arrived in the summer of 1987 and the one that now finds itself on a precipice. United will finish in their lowest league position for half a century - yet still have a chance of qualifying for the Champions League by beating Tottenham in Wednesday night's Europa League Final. McClair doesn't accept that Amorim's fate hinges on the result in Bilbao. But he does feel that the result will have huge ramifications on the time it's going to take for the glory years to truly return. 'I can't say I've enjoyed watching United this season but the one oasis in the very dry desert has been the Europa League,' said McClair, who joined a club that had not been champions for 20 years when he arrived from Celtic for £800,000 and went on to win four title medals, two FA Cups, the League Cup and the European Cup Winners Cup after Ferguson was handed both time and money. 'I'm even reluctant to say they have played well on the road to the final because I think that they've enjoyed a lot of good fortune. 'I'm pretty sure that even if United lose against Spurs it will have no bearing on whether Amorim is still the manager next season. 'But as far as transfer business is concerned, I would imagine they have got two different plans based on whether they win or lose. 'Qualification for the Champions League is worth upwards of £100million and that will have an effect on both the budget and the quality of the players United will be able to attract. 'Players will always want to come to Manchester United. But can they afford these players if they're not in the Champions League or will they be forced into a cheaper market?' McClair became the first United player since George Best to score 20 league goals in a season during his first year at Old Trafford - and Ferguson's team came second to Liverpool. But the next two campaigns saw the Reds finish 11th and 13th as the Scot sold fan favourites like Norman Whiteside and Paul McGrath in a ruthless cull that McClair believes has echoes of the way Amorim has made it clear that players like Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony are finished. Winning the FA Cup in 1990 and the European Cup Winners Cup a year later became the springboard for an unparalleled period of United success. McClair said: 'There are definitely comparisons to be made between now and what happened when Fergie arrived. 'Defeats, lowly league positions - and then a welcome cup run to a final. In 1990, it was the FA Cup. Now it's the Europa League. What also intrigues me is the way Amorim has gone about restoring discipline inside the dressing room. 'He's been very candid about what he thinks. He's made it clear that he's in charge and that he will set the tone. I can see comparisons to Fergie in the way that Amorim is imposing his authority on the club.' McClair added: 'Manchester United's DNA is all about class, humility and dignity. It goes all the way back to when Sir Matt Busby took over after the Second World War. Players, managers and staff have a responsibility, irrespective of whether the club is having success or not, to be an ambassador for certain values. 'The fabric of United has been lost since Alex Ferguson left and I suspect that Amorim recognises that and is doing what's needed to restore things that used to be non-negotiable. 'Fergie made it clear that you had to be special to play for Manchester United. That meant being a good player, or course, but he also made it clear that you had to be someone who was capable of carrying the mantle of all that history.' Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Press and Journal
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Dons greats Neil Simpson and John McMaster believe Aberdeen can win their first Scottish Cup in 35 years
Neil Simpson has never forgotten the emotions which enveloped him after he won his first Scottish Cup title with Aberdeen in 1982. When the final whistle sounded, he burst into tears of joy and relief as he and his teammates celebrated their 4-1 victory over Rangers at Hampden Park. As he told me: 'It was what I had dreamt about as a kid in Newmachar, creating my own TV commentaries in my garden – and there I was at just 20 and it had come true. 'Getting the opportunity to lift the trophy was another unforgettable memory and gazing out at the fans was a reminder of football's ability to leave you overwhelmed. 'The elation carried on the following day with an open-top bus procession down Union Street and the pavements were packed with thousands of people who cheered us on as we progressed to a full Pittodrie to celebrate with our supporters.' It became a familiar feeling for individuals such as Simpson and John McMaster, as the Dons won the trophy four times in five seasons. But now, the pair want the current generation of Pittodrie players to make history of their own. These Gothenburg Greats – whose team beat Real Madrid to secure the European Cup Winners Cup in 1983 – were nervously watching from the sidelines as Aberdeen's Class of '25 edged past Hearts 1-0 in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup last month. It was a fraught encounter, a contest which was only resolved after extra time and with their opponents reduced to nine men, but Jimmy Thelin's side achieved their objective. Now, though, they have to tackle Celtic on May 25 to win their first Scottish Cup for no less than 35 years; a situation which Simpson describes as 'shocking'. He told me: 'I am always optimistic when it comes to Aberdeen and, although Celtic are the favourites, I fancy the Dons to spring an upset. 'I just have this feeling that their name is on the trophy this year. They've been fortunate with home draws in the tournament and, while the semi-final wasn't pretty, they got the job done and deserved to advance. 'However, it is shocking that a club the size of Aberdeen have not won the Cup since 1990. Obviously, the gap between the Old Firm and the rest in terms of budget is huge. 'But that can't be an excuse when you see that the likes of Caley Thistle, Ross Country and St Johnstone have won the trophy in the intervening period. 'This, though, is the perfect opportunity to address that and put it right. 'I would urge the Dons to stick their chests out, believe in their abilities and send the message to their opponents they have to come to Hampden on a mission. 'They have to set the tone right from the start, win their individual and collective battles, and remember that the rewards of winning will be massive. 'They will be in the record books forever and they'll get their own bus parade.' McMaster, for his part, has been impressed with Thelin's maiden campaign, even if it has contained more ups and downs than a trampoline park. But he didn't pull his punches when it came to addressing his perception of the lack of leaders in the current Aberdeen line-up. As he said: 'They have plenty of leaders off the pitch and the supporters have been phenomenal this season, so I'm really hoping the players seize this chance. 'Graeme Shinnie has done an excellent job in terms of providing leadership, but we need four or five players with that ability to impose themselves on a big match. 'I think Jimmy needs a 'screaming room' at Pittodrie to gee up his guys [Simpson and McMaster were often given the hairdryer treatment by Sir Alex Ferguson], but Aberdeen proved earlier this year they can cause the Celtic defence problems. 'They have to go out on the pitch with the attitude: 'We deserve to be here, but we can't be satisfied with that' and leave nothing out there during the final. 'This isn't just about the team, this is about lifting the whole city and realising they can become legends and they are potentially 90 minutes away from history. 'That should inspire them to express themselves and get out of the blocks quickly. Nobody remembers how you reached a final if you win it.' It's a long time since McMaster and his brother, Andrew rolled up socks into the shape of a football and 'kicked lumps out of one another', playing indoors at home. He was nicknamed Spammer, because his family grew up in a community where the people were so poor they had to survive on tins of the processed meat. But there was never any sense he was missing out on a household filled with laughter. Yet these early experiences had a significant impact on his career. He and Simpson pushed themselves to the nth degree, relentlessly pursuing their ambitions. McMaster said: 'Footballers in those days weren't the multi-millionaires that a lot of them are now in the modern era. 'Our basic wage was OK in the grand scheme, but the bonus payments we received for playing in and winning games made a huge difference. 'So we aimed to give 100% every single time. Yes, we were pushed hard by Fergie, but we had our own hunger. We knew runners-up medals weren't enough. We had to win. 'That's one of the messages which has hopefully been driven into the current players.' Aberdeen will have to improve on their previous Cup performances this season, but there's no shortage of motivation. Success will open the door to European competition. And, who knows, there might even be a tinge of Hollywood if they attain their goal. Simpson told me, reflecting on the aftermath of the 1982 victory: 'We were drinking champagne on the bus as we drove to Gleneagles for a party and it was a wonderful evening of food, drinks, banter, shared joy and pride in what we had done. 'And that was even before we were introduced to a genuine Hollywood legend. 'Stuart Kennedy had watched Burt Lancaster in all his classic movies from The Killers to Birdman of Alcatraz and From Here to Eternity and Atlantic City. 'And now, Burt was in Scotland to make a new movie. 'There was a photograph of Stuart and Burt together and the look on his face was like: 'Is this the icing on the cake or what?!' 'It summed up that Saturday. We were in our own Tinseltown production.' Hopefully, Thelin's team will all be Local Heroes when it matters next weekend. If you enjoyed this story, you may also like: Exclusive: Gothenburg Great Neil Simpson on 'wrench' of leaving Aberdeen after more than 35 years
