Fergie Flies On

Andre Villas Boas’ team now sits pretty on 3^rd place in the English Premier League. That’s one place above the team that sacked him not that long ago. Spurs, for so long a sentimental favourite amongst many Malaysians, is now within striking distance of no. 2, the team they beat in the 1981 FA Cup final.

I remember betting against them in that Cup final, in favour of the underdogs, Manchester City, when almost every single one of my classmates had their money on Tottenham. Glenn Hoddle was drifting around in Spurs’ midfield in those days so it was easy to fall in love with that team. I was secretly supporting the other team from Manchester, then managed by Ron Atkinson who had more form than susbstance. It would soon be the days of Atkinson and his good-on-paper squad with names like Bryan Robson, Frank Stapleton, Remi Moses, Arnold Muhren. Strangely, the player I liked then was Arthur Albiston and maybe had a soft spot for Kevin Moran as well.

I lost my money of course, as Manchester City lost in a replay, with eye-catching performances from Osvaldo (Ossie) Ardilles and Ricardo Villa, the Argentinian duo who might have well paved the way for foreign players who have since flooded the English game.

Other than money, I lost a lot of talking points in those days. It would be 10 years before United started on a renaissance under Ferguson, which continues today I am very pleased to say. I remember rocking up to a supporter’s club in PJ Section 14 in either 1992 or 1993 – couldn’t wait to sign up and look at mags, videos, posters, jerseys etc.  It’s now 20 years later. United still has Ferguson in the cockpit and so continues to fly high. I wonder though, when Ferguson will be “pushed upstairs” and whether United will continue to enjoy the same level of success.

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