SIR ALEX Ferguson has handed £10,000 to a tiny Govan football club to help them in their Scottish Cup dream.
The Manchester United legend, 83, is backing junior side Benburb where he served his football apprenticeship.
Benburb, the small West of Scotland Football League club, is preparing for the most significant game in its 140-year history.
After a thrilling win over Cowdenbeath, the next challenge is Wick Academy — the UK’s most northerly professional club.
Victory on October 25 would propel them into the Scottish Cup draw with giants such as Celtic and Rangers.
During a recent visit, the football legend enjoyed a classic Scotch pie with brown sauce from his favourite Glasgow bakery.
ROHL WITH IT
Rohl becomes Rangers frontrunner and will appoint ex-Gers star if he gets job
FIRM DEALS
Free bets and new customer offers for upcoming Rangers and Celtic fixtures
Frank Lovering, a former Benburb player and manager, told The Times: “It is absolutely brilliant to have Sir Alex support us in this way.
“He is the greatest football manager of all time and it was wonderful to welcome him to the club.
“For all of his success he is a Govan man who is proud of his roots. He has never forgotten where he came from.”
“We are delighted to accept Sir Alex’s offer and hope we can make him proud.”
The match involves a punishing 12-hour round trip for the players and staff.
When Ferguson learned of their planned early morning start, he immediately stepped in and offered to pay for overnight accommodation.
The gesture allows the entire squad to travel to Caithness the day before, ensuring they are rested and ready to make history.
Team co-manager Gordon Robertson said: “We were all ready to go up to Wick on the day of the match but this allows us to prepare properly for a huge game for the club. The players and staff are all thrilled by Sir Alex’s kind gesture.”
Last year Ferguson sold his Cheshire mansion for more than £3 million after the death of his wife Cathy.
As well as maintaining a smaller property in northwest England he also bought a flat in Glasgow, allowing him to spend more time in his home city. It brings him closer to his brother Martin, a director at North Lanarkshire-based Airdrieonians FC, as well as his first proper club.
Ferguson has spoken proudly of his close connections with Benburb.
Ferguson trained alongside his brother, who went to play for Greenock Morton, and the late Ronnie MacKinnon who made almost 500 appearances for Rangers, winning two league titles and four Scottish cups in addition to gaining 28 caps for Scotland.
Benburb left its original ground in 2014, moving to New Tinto Park.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
TWISTER SHOCK
Moment TORNADO strikes Spain holiday coast as storm brings horror evacuations
HOME WIN
Ryder Cup hero Bob MacIntyre splashes out £2m on property empire
Photographs of Ferguson occupy pride of place in the new ground, whose capacity of 1,000 is dwarfed by the 74,000 who cheered on its most famous former player’s team at Old Trafford.
The club treasures a letter, on Manchester United headed notepaper, dated October 18, 2012, where he enclosed £200.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
