Synopsis

Alex Ferguson was born on December 31, 1941, in Glasgow, Scotland, and made a name for himself playing soccer for Dunfermline Athletic. He went on to manage Aberdeen FC to great success and was hired in 1986 to run Manchester United, leading the league to win a slew of high-profile championship titles.
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Early Years

Alexander Chapman Ferguson was born to parents Alexander Sr. and Elizabeth in Glasgow, Scotland, on December 31, 1941. Growing up in the working-class shipbuilding community of Govan, Ferguson was considered a bright boy but showed little interest in schoolwork. He preferred kicking a soccer ball with his younger brother, Martin, and friends through the alleyways between tenement homes, and with some assistance from Alex Sr., a former amateur player, he developed into a promising young talent.
Soccer Career

Ferguson made his senior debut for the amateur Queens Park Rangers club as a 16-year-old in November 1958, scoring his team's lone goal. He moved to the St. Johnstone club in 1960, and although he displayed promising goal-scoring abilities as a striker, he struggled to earn regular minutes.

Ferguson turned professional after joining Dunfermline Athletic in the summer of 1964. Finally given extensive playing time, he tied for the Scottish First Division lead with 31 goals in 1965-'66 and finished as his team's top scorer in two other seasons with the Pars. He also showed the mind-set of a future manager, impressing teammates with his vast knowledge of opposing players and barking instructions throughout matches.

In 1967, Ferguson joined the Glasgow-based Rangers F.C. for a Scottish-record transfer fee of approximately $179,000 (65,000 pounds), but his homecoming ended badly. Blamed for a botched defensive assignment in the 1969 Scottish League final loss to Celtic F.C., Ferguson was forced to play with the junior side until he left the club that autumn. He spent the next four seasons with Falkirk, and then finished his playing career with Ayr United in 1973-'74.
Manager

The 32-year-old Ferguson began his managerial career at East Stirlingshire in 1974, making an immediate impact with his fiery, competitive nature. He moved to St. Mirren after a few months, and despite leading the Saints to the Scottish First Division championship in 1977, he was fired a year later for breach of contract.

It was with Aberdeen that Ferguson cemented his reputation as a top-flight manager. Breaking the Celtic-Rangers championship stranglehold, Ferguson led Aberdeen to three Scottish Premier League titles, four Scottish Cups, a League Cup, a Super Cup and a European Cup Winners' Cup over eight seasons.

Ferguson took over as boss of the renowned but underachieving Manchester United club in November 1986. His job was reportedly on the line after a particularly rough stretch early in the 1989-90 season, but the Reds recovered to win the FA Cup that year and a string of successes followed: the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1991, the League Cup in '92 and the elusive Premier League championship in '93.

Ferguson's crowning achievement came in the 1998-'99 season, when he became the first manager of a British side to win the treble: the Premier League championship, the FA Cup and the European Cup. It marked the start of a stretch in which United won three consecutive Premier League titles, and four in five years. In 2003, Ferguson received the Manager of the Decade award,
Contents presented by the FA Premier League to mark the first 10 years of the Premiership.

Ferguson again led his side to three straight Premier League titles from 2007-'09, along with European Cup and FIFA Club World Cup victories in 2008, and back-to-back League Cups in 2009-'10. In December 2010, he surpassed the 24-year-plus tenure of Sir Matt Busby to become the longest-serving manager in United's history. Fittingly, he ended the season with another milestone victory that gave United a record 19 Premier League championships.
Personal Life

Ferguson married his wife, Cathy Holding, in 1966. They have three sons: Mark, Darren and Jason. Darren played briefly for his father at Manchester United in the 1990s and later became a soccer manager himself.

A longtime supporter of the Labour Party, Ferguson also serves as a United Kingdom Ambassador for UNICEF. After leading Manchester United to its historic treble in 1999, he was awarded knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

After starting at Queen’s Park the young Sir Alex moved to Muirton Park in search of regular football. The young striker had difficult days at St Johnstone and struggled to hold down a regular place.

But a hat-trick against Rangers earned him a move to Dunfermline and full-time football. Here team-mate Bert Paton takes a leap over his new team-mate.

Heading off to play in Europe in the Fair’s Cup against Frigg Oslo of Norway in 1966 - flanked by team-mates Jim Fleming and Tommy Callaghan. Fergie led the line in an outstanding Dunfermline team.

His form in Fife earned him what was, in 1967, a Scottish record transfer of £65,000 to Rangers.

But his time at Ibrox ended acrimoniously after a mistake in a heavy 4-0 defeat in the 1969 Scottish Cup Final to Celtic.

He got his career back on track at Brockville with Falkirk and scored a dramatic equaliser against his old club in a 2-2 draw in 1972.

He had worked as a player coach at the Bairns and after ending his career at Ayr United, he started life as a manager at East Stirling.

After taking advice from Jock Stein he moved to St Mirren and led them into the top flight as champions. But his time there ended acrimoniously and the Paisley club were the only side to sack him as manager (pictured centre with players Tony Fitzpatrick and Derek Hyslop).

Then came the move to Aberdeen - and the start of the glory days.

Pictured with assistant Archie Knox after bringing the European Cup Winner’s Cup home. his record at Pittodrie was extraordinary - including three league titles, four Scottish Cups, the league Cup, Cup Winner’s Cup against Real Madrid and the European Super Cup.

After rejecting a number of offers, he decided to take the job at Manchester United - who were second bottom of the English top flight.

It took time for the revolution to gather pace and his job was under threat - until striker Mark Robins’ goal won the 1990 FA Cup.

He then won the league championship in 1993 - the first of 12 titles.

And, in 1999, he finally got his hands on the trophy he’d always wanted with two injury time goals against Bayern Munich winning the Champions League.

Glory Glory Man United!!!!

'Fergie Time' - a familiar sight for any team visiting Old Trafford

He got his hands on club football’s greatest prize again in 2008 and is now the most successful manager in British football history with a total of 48 trophies.

His book : Shadow of the Knight: Football's Life After Sir Alex Ferguson [Kindle Edition]

is available on amazon for $ 9.99

http://www.amazon.ca/Shadow-Knight-Footballs-Ferguson-ebook/dp/B00A3D2YGW

FILE - In this Wednesday, May 26, 1999 file photo Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson kisses the trophy after winning the Champions League final soccer match at the Nou Camp Stadium in Barcelona, Spain. Manchester United beat Bayern Munich 2-1. Manchester United said Wednesday May 8, 2013 that manager Alex Ferguson is retiring at the end of season. (AP Photo/Adam Butler, File)

Ferguson lifts the 1992-93 EPL Title

Ferguson lifts the 1993-94 EPL

Ferguson lifts the 1995-96 EPL

Ferguson lifts the 1996-97 EPL

Ferguson lifts the 1998-99 EPL

Ferguson lifts the 1999-2000

Ferguson lifts the 2000-01 EPL

Ferguson lifts the 2002-03 EPL

Ferguson lifts the 2007-08 EPL

Ferguson lifts the 2008-09 EPL

Ferguson lifts the 2010-11 EPL

Ferguson lifts the 1990 FA Cup