SIR Alex Ferguson may be Britain's most successful football manager but he has revealed the sporting world nearly lost him to the restaurant industry.
The United boss, who trained as a chef before turning to football, told students graduating in food, tourism, and hospitality courses, how a stint in the kitchen was `one of the best years of my life'.
Sir Alex, who was receiving an honorary award from Manchester Metropolitan University, said: "I used to work in a kitchen many years ago in Glasgow. It was fantastic."
Also receiving an award was Gerry Yeung - owner of the city centre Yang Sing restaurant and a key player in Manchester's business community.
Vice-chancellor John Brooks said: "We are honoured to be able to recognise the huge contributions of these immensely gifted and dedicated professionals who have made such an impact on Manchester."
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Fergie awarded degree
July 14, 2009
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The City Chippy, Sydney (14/07/2009 at 10:20)
Steve (14/07/2009 at 11:33)
Awards such as this given by the pompous, to the rich and famous just undervalue the real hard workers in society.
How about Manchester University recognising the care they receive from nurses when they or their relatives are ill. Or the school crossing patrol who stands in all whether to ensure their children cross our busy roads safely. Or maybe a prison officer who in his / her daily work faces people the rest of us prefer to forget about.
There are millions of people out there ten times more dedicated than the likes of football managers.
What has Feruson done that has helped the rest of us, oh yes I forgot, he ensures kids who are not old enough to drink can afford 17k watches and drive cars that are to powerful for them putting the rest of us in danger.
How about reducing Fergusons wage by a few thousand pounds and see how dedicated he is then?
Gifted and dedicated my eye.
Teesicha, Planet Earth. (14/07/2009 at 11:45)
I agree with you 100%.
Mike S, Manchester (14/07/2009 at 12:11)
barca99, Salford (14/07/2009 at 12:52)
Why also do you insinuate that its SAF who ensures that his youth players buy 17k watches and high performance cars? Does he pay them directly? Does he force them to buy certain items??
What do you think a young lad who earns daft money is going to do with it? Buy a £5.99 watch from Argos and drive a clapped out banger??
'Gifted and dedicated my eye'!! Gifted? The most gifted manager that has graced our shores (see titles won both here and in Scotland, see the amount of world class players that he's nurtured).
Dedicated? See 'Gifted' and then ask anybody in football (certainly at OT) who is first in (about 6.30am) and last out (about 7.00 pm) everyday at United and SAF will be the answer.
Whether or not you or anybody else likes the man , the one thing that cannot be denied is that as awards go (and i'm not a big fan of them either) he is most certainly as deserving as anybody when receiving one.
Blue Dude, Manchester. (14/07/2009 at 12:59)
He said he always wanted to study languages....
lovinthebanter, Manchester (14/07/2009 at 13:10)
Gifted and dedicated my eye.
Steve ,
14/07/2009 at 11:33
The 26th of May 1999 comes to mind, that would be enough on it's own, for many tens of thousands of people, unfortunately you sound like one of the few blue in Manchester that he has done so much against so if it was done on a vote basis I guess it would resound that he deserves this.
Clara, Manchester (14/07/2009 at 13:19)
I think it's a nice to see football bodies promoting our fantastic educational establishments!
Knowsleyman, Paphos (14/07/2009 at 15:57)
Prestwich Red, Prestwich (14/07/2009 at 17:54)
Chapman (14/07/2009 at 18:13)
I slaved for years to get my Degree and Management qualifications and I think these honorary degrees are just self promotion by the educational institutions who hand them out.
Steve (15/07/2009 at 08:09)
And you base your comments and the justification on that?
Bacca99, exactly what has this award got to do with sport? Its beyond me as well!
And he may not force these kids to buy performance cars but maybe if he was as a responsible manager as you suggest he is he would consider not paying a 17 year old so much so he could! Do you think you could have handled the public pier pressure and such finances that these kids are put under at 17?
Gifted and dedicated, well I must just be in a queue for my award then as on a normal day I work on average 2 hours longer than he does!
And why do football supporters always assume that everybody else will know the acronyms they use to excess?
I take it OT = Old Trafford. Was it to much to spell?
Could I also point out the definition of ‘mate’ is friend, trusted associated, person with whom you copulate with to reproduce. Do I fall into this bracket with you? Do I live with you, drink, sleep or relax with you? If the answer to anyone of these questions is no then I’m not your ‘mate’
There’s none as blind as those who don’t see.
My Goatee, Manchester (15/07/2009 at 11:32)
It means nothing and they are used as adverts for the University! Don’t get so excited.
I went to a 'red brick' and as a laugh the Rugby Team nominated a stray cat we used to feed for the job of the Sports Officer in the Students Union. There was much to do about nothing really until the cat won the election and pulled in more votes than the other candidates.
The prats who take the Students Union seriously got all upset, contacted the National buffoons and got someone else re-elected.
It shows that its just a seat of learning, those there for a real education do that and quite rightly be proud of the odd achievement, but Honorary Degrees, Students Unions and those up their own backsides need to take it all with a pinch of salt.
Mad Welsh Scotsman, Cadishead (15/07/2009 at 13:02)
Mr Manchester (15/07/2009 at 16:19)
A colleague of mine has an honorary doctorate from a Scottish university -- it was simply their way of acknowledging and celebrating some 30+ years of research, which he had contributed to a specific industry on an international level.
nyb, ex manc (15/07/2009 at 16:36)
Well I've news for you, life is the greatest educator, and Honorary Degrees recognise that fact. I've worked with dozens of graduates through my life, and without wishing to fall in to the trap of generalisations, very few had the commonsense or nouse to perform half as well as those educated in the school of life.