And so it came to pass...The mighty man from the north, that has shown the soft southerners a thing or two when it comes to football, has thrown his weight behind the joint Scottish/Irish bid for EURO2008. The support of Sir Alex Ferguson is a bit of a coup for the SFA/FAI in their efforts to persuade UEFA to let them stage the European Championships. He is known throughout the footballing world as a winner and not someone who will just go along for the ride. His contacts and willingness to sell the idea of EURO2008 coming here over the months leading up to the decision date in December will not go un-noticed.
His name can now be added to the high profile names from football and industry that endorse the bid. Ferguson was happy to sit alongside the team that have done the hard work when the bidding document was signed and sent of to UEFA. The newly appointed roving ambassador said: "The Scottish and Irish supporters are magnificent ambassadors for their countries wherever they travel. Bringing the European Championship finals here would be the perfect reward for them and long overdue. I know that the two football associations and the Scottish and Irish governments are determined to deliver the best possible bid to the UEFA Executive Committee. I am delighted that they are both absolutely committed to securing the European Championships for Scotland and Ireland in 2008 and I am fully supportive of the bid."
Scottish Sports Minister Mike Watson could hardly contain his excitement as he welcomed Sir Alex's involvement on Radio Scotland this morning when he said: "We are very pleased. It adds great weight to the bid. Everybody who knows anything about football knows about Sir Alex Ferguson's achievements."
The list of names that support the idea of the championships being hosted jointly by Scotland and Ireland grows nearly every day. Some of the following names you will recognise and some will be less familiar. However, in their own field's they are recognised as being astute and you do not get to their position by backing too many losers.
Dick Advocaat
Craig Brown
Ronald de Boer
Packie Bonner
Jack Charlton
Milo Corcoran President FAI
Kenny Dalglish
Sir Alex Ferguson
Archie Gemmill
John Greig
Robbie Keane Kevin Keegan
John C McGinn President SFA
Mick McCarthy
Brendan Menton General Manager FAI
Niall Quinn
Ebbe Skovdahl
David Taylor Chief Executive SFA
Berti Vogts
Bertie Ahern Taoiseach of Ireland
Rod Stewart Robert Carlyle
Hugh Aitken Chief Executive Sun Micro Systems Donal Dowds Managing Director BAA Scottish Airports
Bob Downes Director British Telecom Scotland
Ian Good Chairman and Chief Executive of The Edrington Group Sir Angus Grossart Chairman/Managing Director of Noble Grossart Ltd Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden Life President of Guinness UDV Jack McConnell First Minister of Scotland
Jim McDaid Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation The Republic of Ireland William Rae Chief Constable Strathclyde Police Susan Rice Chief Executive Lloyds TSB Scotland John Rocha Designer Brian Stewart Chairman of Scottish & Newcastle
Mike Watson Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Scotland
