Ex Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confesses that Drumchapel Amateurs are still embedded in his thoughts and his managerial stardom can be contributed just to them. He thanks the legend late Douglas Smith for helping him with life skills that has made him the man that he is today. Smith was a pioneer in his time, finding the Glasgow Club some sixty four years back, and encouraging amateur football players to try their luck in international football.
Sir, Ferguson in an effort to pay homage to the unappreciated hero of football, unveiled the portrait of the prodigy of Drum Chapel, Douglas Smith. The Old Trafford super manager, have gone up the ladder of success with a career laden with trophies but he recalls Smith, saying the real life lessons of discipline, not swearing, being competitive in ones game and cleanliness have been given much importance by him besides football. This is and always has been the code of success in Sir Ferguson’s life. He further added that he had learnt the lesson of punctuality from his father, hence courtesy him and Smith, he was always on time for everything till date.
The biggies of Scottish football, like John Robertson, Kenny Dalglish, Jim Cruickshank, Pat Crerand, John O’Hare, Tommy Craig, Archie Gemmill, Maurice Johnston, Asa Hartford etc are all a part of ex Drumchapel list. The current Manchester United coach Moyes too is part of the record, hence proving that Smith defiantly has made a mark.
Fergie insists that money never played a factor in Smith’s noble motive of building the career of young talented footballers. The focus was always on paying extra attention to detailing and quality time spent. He added that sure it helped because he was well to do, but the time he devoted to them was absolutely incredible.