‘I MAde FeRGIe shIFT IT’
NICKY WELSH still chuckles at having to put Sir Alex Ferguson in his place to save his kids team from stage fright.
Welsh, a one-time promising forward who had played alongside Norman Whiteside, Mark Hughes and Bryan Robson, was now in charge of Hale Barns United, a junior side that included Ferguson’s grandson Jake.
Fergie was a regular spectator and even missed the confirmation that United had captured the 2007 Premier League title in favour of watching Jake’s side win their own league.
‘Circumstances forced me into having an embarrassing chat with my good mate Jason (Jake’s father and Sir Alex’s son), explaining that the lads melted when the old fella was present,” Welsh explained.
“In the nicest possible way, I said, ‘Could you see to it that your old man perhaps stood over the other side of the pitch near the hedges so they don’t know he has turned up to watch?’.”
It worked because they were soon on their way moving up four divisions to eventually being crowned champions — and a proud grandfather was not going to miss it, even on an afternoon when his United side were on the verge of another title.
Welsh added: “Manchester United won the title after Chelsea failed to beat Arsenal. In an interview Sir Alex when asked if he was on a golf course again when the result came in. He answered, ‘No, I was watching my grandson’s team play. They won the league, too, by the way!’.”
It’s one of many intriguing anecdotes in a book chronicling the life of a Manchester United fanatic who briefly dreamed of stardom after being handed a professional contract – only to be released – by Ron Atkinson.
The Nicky Welsh story had started so well. At 16, United’s famed youth team coach Eric Harrison had spotted winger Welsh’s potential.
“How do you fancy signing for us as an apprentice for next season?” he asked the wide-mouthed teenager, who had idolised the club from an early age. He joined at the same time as David Platt and, ironically after earning a professional contract, was also let go by Atkinson following a few youth games.
United striker Alan Brazil handed Welsh £20 for him and Platt to drown their sorrows in the local pub.
They were both allowed to join the entourage which travelled down to Wembley for the 1985 FA Cup final.
“At least I got a decent suit out of it,” added Welsh.
■■ My United Road. By A Lad Called Nicky Welsh. Amazon. £11.99. Audio Book from Amazon £22.89. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Alzheimers Society – Sport Against Dementia in honour of Nick’s dad, former professional centre-forward Barry Welsh