Alex Ferguson's devoted wife Cathy insisted he followed one strict rule at home
Tributes have flooded in for Sir Alex Ferguson's beloved wife, Cathy, who has sadly passed away aged 84. She and the former Manchester United manager shared three sons and had been married for 57 years.
The Ferguson family issued a statement today which read: “We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing yesterday [Thursday] of Lady Cathy Ferguson, survived by her husband, three sons, two sisters, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The family asks for privacy at this time.”
The couple first met in 1964 and tied the knot two years later, welcoming their eldest son, Mark, in 1968 before Cathy gave birth to their twin sons, Darren and Jason, in 1972. Sir Alex's rock during his decades at Man Utd, Cathy always supported her husband in his high pressure job until he stepped down in 2013 to spend more time with her.
But if you stepped inside the home the footballing titan shared with the love of his life, you would immediately notice something missing. There was hardly a hint of his glittering record of successes. For the late wife of the Manchester United boss slapped a life ban on displays of his trophies, medals and awards.
(Manchester United via Getty Images)Sir Alex has previously said: “You’ll not find a thing about my career in the house. My wife Cathy is fed up with the whole thing. She’s unbelievable. I can’t even take a football book home. If I bring one in she will say, ‘What are you doing with that?’”
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Cathy was not even impressed when his achievements were recognised by Buckingham Palace. Sir Alex recalled: “When Alastair Campbell phoned to talk to her about my knighthood she said to him, ‘Do you not think he’s had enough rewards?’” As well as his haul of more than 40 trophies as club manager, see above, Fergie has stacks of individual honours.
He has been manager of the month and season numerous times, leading to lifetime achievement gongs. No other boss has won manager of the year more often. Sir Alex was made an OBE in 1983, a CBE in 1995 and knighted in 1999. But Fergie told the magazine of the League Managers Association his wife did not want their home cluttered with testaments to his many honours. He revealed he is far from dismayed by that – as he is not one to dwell on past glories. Sir Alex said: “I prefer to think about what’s ahead and what next I can achieve. I think that has kept my feet on the ground. I’ve never got carried away with it.”
Fergie has also told how Cathy urged him to reverse his decision to retire in 2002. He said: “She told me I wasn’t resigning. It’s the only time I’ve ever been bullied. That wife of mine bullies me. She throws me out of the door at seven o’clock every morning.” Cathy made him skip two pre-season friendlies in 2007 because they were moving to their new house in Wilmslow, Cheshire. He said at the time: “I told my wife I had a match but she said it was a friendly and that I had to help her.”
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