THERE was another first at Manchester United on Saturday as Alex Ferguson celebrated 25 years in charge — something happened at the club without him knowing about it – the renaming of the North Stand to the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand!
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But he wasn't aware that a stand was already bearing his name ahead of the weekend's victory with Sunderland.
Just how did United keep the operation secret as the huge red letters were put into place at the front of the roof of The North Stand?
Well it was all done under darkness on Thursday after the last of the public tours of Old Trafford had finished and work continued until 2am Friday.
Six abseilers put the letters into place and they and the company who made the letters had to sign confidentiality agreements so word did not leak out.
A 20-metre banner was then draped over the words 'Sir Alex Ferguson Stand' saying 'Old Trafford Manchester' in the same design.
It had been the idea of chief executive David Gill.
And only eight other people at the club knew about it — including three from the group property department, one from marketing design and Joel Glazer.
Even they were not brought into the secret until Wednesday and only at 5pm on Friday were they informed that a statue was also being commissioned.
The need for utmost secrecy was constantly expressed so it would be a genuine surprise for Fergie which indeed it was when his name was unveiled just before kick-off on Saturday.
Fergie was also presented with a painting of the renamed stand.
source: www.thesun.co.uk
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