SIR Alex Ferguson has stepped in to help out a Scottish football club facing oblivion at the bottom of the league.
The former Manchester United manager has given a “generous” donation to Cowdenbeath’s Club 135 campaign – which aims to raise £135,000.
The club – nicknamed The Blue Brazil – are in danger of being relegated from the Scottish Football League altogether, spelling likely financial ruin.
Sir Alex wrote the foreword to a book about the club, “Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil.
Its author, Ron Ferguson, no relation, said he was asked by campaigners to write to Sir Alex to ask if he could help.
Ron told his local newspaper: “Sir Alex responded positively right away to the invitation.
“It’s great to have such an inspirational figure on board as a celebrity supporter of the campaign.
“He hopes the wider Cowdenbeath area will rally behind the club, which has such a great history.”
Rumours have been circulating that Sir Alex stumped up the full £135,000.
A club spokesman said: “It’s nowhere near that amount. It’s not a game-changer but it’s a generous donation and we are very grateful.”
Club chairman Donald Findlay QC also welcomed the support of such a big name.
“Club 135 is crucial to our plans to improve the club’s financial position and to enable us to mount a real challenge for promotion next season”, he said.
He added: “I am personally very grateful to Sir Alex for showing an interest in Cowdenbeath FC. A small club we may be but we are a community club with a long and proud tradition and we are determined to take the club forward in what is an admittedly difficult financial climate.
“The backing of Sir Alex will enable us to reach out to all those supporters who believe in grassroots football and especially those who have affection for the town of Cowdenbeath and the Blue Brazil.”
In his foreword to the 2014 version of ‘Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil’, Sir Alex referred to Cowdenbeath as a “smashing wee club”.
He shared anecdotes about when he played against them and was confronted by the tea lady for kicking her son who had been playing in defence.
Club 135 has received the backing of several other high profile figures including Ferguson’s friend and Rangers’ nine-in-a-row manager Walter Smith, former Gers player and manager Ally McCoist, former Dutch international Ronald de Boer, Hearts manager Craig Levein and even the legendary English manager Brian Clough’s son Nigel.
Names from other sports have got involved as well, including Judy Murray and boxing champion Ricky Burns.
The club is currently bottom of League Two, with Berwick Rangers sitting a massive 12 points ahead of them at this late stage in the season. If they can’t claw that back they will be relegated into the Lowland League which would exacerbate financial problems already present due to dwindling crowds, and losing ownership of their Central Park ground and the stock car franchise that went with it.
