Godwin ObajeKen Doherty’s Surprising Encounter with Sir Alex Ferguson
Ken Doherty, the 1997 World Snooker Champion, has revealed a surprising story about his encounter with Sir Alex Ferguson. After his victory, Doherty received a phone call from Ferguson, who invited him to parade his trophy around Old Trafford. However, Doherty thought it was a prank call from his friends and responded rudely. “I told him to f*** off!” Doherty recalled. “I thought it was one of my mates winding me up.”
Apology and Invitation
Ferguson, however, was not deterred and revealed his true identity, saying, “Kenny, it’s Alex Ferguson here, I’m not going to ask you a second time.” Doherty was forced to apologize, and Ferguson, to his surprise, saw the funny side of the situation. Doherty was then invited to Old Trafford, where he had a memorable day, meeting the Manchester United players and showcasing his trophy.
A Memorable Day
Doherty described the experience as “amazing,” saying, “He showed me around the place. It was the last match of the season, and they were picking up the Premiership trophy. Walking out on the pitch with the trophy, my legs were like jelly.” Doherty met the likes of Eric Cantona, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, and Ryan Giggs, all of whom were eager to see the trophy.
Celtic Connection
Doherty’s trophy tour also took him to Celtic Park, where he made a half-time appearance. This sparked a humorous reaction from fellow snooker player and Celtic fan John Higgins, who joked, “What the f*** are you doing in the middle of the pitch? You’re not even a Celtic fan, I should be out there!”
Conclusion
Ken Doherty’s story highlights the respect and admiration that Sir Alex Ferguson has for snooker, as well as his good humor and ability to laugh at himself. Doherty’s encounter with Ferguson is a fascinating insight into the personalities of two sports legends and their mutual respect for each other’s achievements.
Godwin Obaje
