Handwritten notes from Sir Alex Ferguson’s personal collection will go on display at the National Football Museum this October, as part of a new pop-up exhibition exploring the most important games of the legendary football manager’s career.
The notes, jotted in diaries, reveal Sir Alex’s personal reflections on two Manchester United matches, documenting line-ups and overall team performance.
The collection – which has never been displayed before – speaks to some of the extraordinary stories described in Sir Alex’s new memoir, Games of My Life, that explores his personal journey through the games, people, places and moments that shaped his life in football.
Open from Thursday 8 October to coincide with publication of the book, the display brings the legendary manager’s career to life through 21 defining games – and 21 windows into his extraordinary footballing journey.
From his childhood in Govan and his early days as a player, through Rangers, Aberdeen and his arrival at Manchester United, to the rivalries, victories, losses, players and defining moments that made him one of the greatest managers in football history, each game reveals another chapter of his extraordinary life.
In total twelve items will be on display from Ferguson’s personal collection including a letter sent to Sir Alex Ferguson written by a disgruntled Manchester United fan, angry at the club’s decision to sell key players like Mark Hughes and Paul Ince.
The match ball from Manchester United v West Bromwich Albion, the final game in Ferguson’s managerial life and signed by player from both sides, is also on display, alongside quotes from the upcoming book sharing Ferguson’s thoughts from each chapter.
Other objects include a tracksuit, a VIP pass and a Scotland cap. Together they become more than memorabilia: each is a physical connection to a particular moment in Ferguson’s story.
Tim Desmond, CEO at the National Football Museum, said: “Sir Alex Ferguson’s story is one glory, grit and graft. From his early days as a player, to his career as one of the greatest ever football managers, it’s a story unrivalled in the modern game.
“As a Vice-President of the National Football Museum and a more than worthy inductee into our Hall of Fame gallery, we are delighted to be hosting Sir Alex Ferguson’s memoir Games of My Life – a special pop-up exhibition celebrating his career – right in the heart of Manchester.”
Lucy Hale, Managing Director at Pan, said: “There is global excitement for the publication of Games of My Life and we are thrilled to work with the National Football Museum to create a physical home for the book in Manchester. The pop-up exhibition will share fascinating and important stories but also give fans an opportunity to see personal items from one of football’s greatest managers and to relive their own memories of the games.”
Games of My Life is published by Pan Macmillan and is available to purchase from 8 October. The display at the National Football Museum opens on the same day and tickets can be purchased by clicking here.