Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has unveiled a portrait of the man who signed him up to play for him from his first club, Harmony Row Boys Club
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has unveiled a portrait of the man who signed him up to play for him from his first club, Harmony Row Boys Club
The Govan-born legend recalled how Drumchapel Amateurs founder Douglas Smith came to the door of his home and begged him to play for the club.
He paid tribute to Mr Smith, who died in 2004, for helping him onto a footballing career which included with Queen's Park, Rangers, St Johnstone, Dunfermline and Falirk.
Unveiling the portrait at Hampden Park's football museum, Sir Alex cited the influence he had on the professional careers of David Moyes, his successor as United manager, Scotland stars Andy Gray, Archie Gemmill, Asa Hartford and John Wark as well as former Rangers manager Walter Smith.
Sir Alex said yesterday: "He had the wonderful knack of making you feel important, both to him and to the club. I was playing with Harmony Row Boys Club in Govan when he came to the door asking me to go and play for Drumchapel.
"I wasn't too sure but my father had no doubt that Drumchapel Amateurs would help me progress in the game.
"I turned up to play and was given a green and white jersey to play in.
"When I asked why the club had chosen green, Douglas said it was because they were the cheapest jerseys he could buy.
He added: "Douglas Smith was a quite remarkable man."
Mr Smith founded the club in 1950 and devoted most of his life nurturing the club.
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