Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
Peterborough United has been associated with the Ferguson family for decades. While manager Darren Ferguson has led the League One club since 2007, a different set of Fergusons has a longer association with the team. Michael Ferguson began working for Peterborough United in 1992 as a steward. He hoped the job would allow him a free ticket and that his earnings would cover the rest of his family. When the club realized that Michael was an accountant, he was immediately promoted to the turnstiles. Over the years, his five sons, as well as two daughters-in-law, would join him in working the matches. Michael’s grandson Oscar recently became the third generation of Ferguson family members to work the turnstiles, helping check tickets at a Peterborough United match against Leyton Orient.
Although modern technology has meant some changes to the turnstile operation, it remains largely the same as it has for years. Fans still present tickets to be scanned and press a pedal to be let in, allowing them to interact with the turnstile operators. Michael’s unique selling point has been to keep the operation personal. While some modern turnstiles don’t require a person to operate them, the Fergusons believe that their personal touch remains essential.
Michael admits to occasionally telling a white lie to make people think he’s related to Darren and his famous father, Sir Alex of Manchester United fame. He even told his sons and friends that they are part of the famous footballing family. However, the joke backfired on him when he met Sir Alex himself at a friendly match. Michael showed Sir Alex his name badge and jokingly told him of his problem, since he’d told people that he was Sir Alex’s uncle. The Manchester United manager’s reply is unknown but he did meet Michael’s sons.
Chris Brewer, head of ticketing and systems at Peterborough United, praised the Fergusons’ turnstile family. “They embody the club’s ethos of being a family-run football club, and it’s a prime example that it’s a generational sport,” he said.
Peterborough United has continued to evolve even as it holds on to its traditions. As it heads into a new season with newly-promoted Cambridge United as one of its toughest opponents, the Fergusons will continue to be there, keeping the turnstiles running with their personal touch
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.