10 months ago
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SIR Alex Ferguson’s £3.5million home is still up for sale months after the death of his wife Cathy.
The footie legend put his five-bedroom, 7,000 square foot property in Wilmslow, Cheshire, on the market after Lady Cathy Ferguson passed away in October aged 84.
Andy Kelvin
Reuters
LY Property, Cheshire
LY Property, CheshireBut three months later the home, which comes complete with a stylish open plan kitchen and games room, is still up for sale.
Photos of the property also reveal a dazzling hallway chandelier, en-suite bathrooms and perfectly manicured lawns.
The former Manchester United gaffer likely let off steam in his charming game room – decorated with art work, oak bookcases and a snooker table.
The property also has a unique “Ferguson clan” tartan carpet adorned on the staircase.
Sir Alex decided to sell the property following the death of his wife, the Mirror reported.
He previously had said his wife, who he met in 1964, was a “bedrock” in his life.
Fergie’s time living at the luxurious home wasn’t without its share of controversy.
In 2020, Sir Alex lost a planning battle after he objected strongly to next door’s application to demolish a two-storey house and build a three-storey mansion.
Fergie’s lawyers sent a five-page opposition letter to planners.
He claimed his privacy would be affected by removal of trees which would also impact the character of the area.
He said the removal of trees was “likely to have a significant impact on the character of the area and the existing privacy standards afforded”.
60 YEARS OF MARRIAGE
Cathy first met Sir Alex, 81, in 1964 when he was just 23 years old and they married shortly after in 1966.
In his autobiography, Sir Alex wrote: “I had the good fortune to meet a wonderful girl who has been my rock for almost 50 years.”
The pair have three sons together – Mark, born in 1968, and twin boys football manager Darren and Jason, born in 1972 – and 12 grandchildren.
Commenting on their home life, Alex once said: “Cathy is fantastic with the kids.
“It’s a military operation with her. If any of them misbehave, they’re in the doghouse.”
Cathy stood by Sir Alex throughout his playing career and journey to management.
There were claims that Ferguson suffered discrimination at Rangers between 1967 to 1969 due to his wife’s Catholicism.
However he made it clear in his autobiography that the club knew of her religion.
She was by Sir Alex’s side as he rose to become one of the world’s best managers, starting at St Mirren in the 1970s, then to Aberdeen in the 1980s, where he won the Cup Winners’ Cup, and then to his legendary reign as manager of Manchester united from 1986 to 2013.
When Sir Alex initially wanted to retire in 2002, Cathy famously convinced him to remain in charge of the Red Devils.
“One, your health is good,” Sir Alex claimed Cathy said.
“Two, I’m not having you in the house. And three, you’re too young anyway.”
But she was unable persuade her husband to recommit to Old Trafford in 2011, before he finally retired in 2013.
“I won’t be managing here any more than three years at the very, very most. Without question. I can assure you of that,” Ferguson said at the time.
“You have to think about time for yourself. I think my wife deserves a bit of my time, too. The older you get, the more you feel guilty about it.
“My wife, Cathy, was the one who talked me out of retiring last time but she wouldn’t do that now.”
Ferguson went on to retire two years later saying his wife needed his support after her sister died.
During his tenure, he won 38 major trophies, including 13 league titles and the Champions League twice.
But planners decided to allow the scheme to ahead.
It comes as Sir Alex’s world-record £633,000 jumps horse could miss Cheltenham Festival.
He was part of a syndicate that splashed the eye-watering sum of cash on Caldwell Potter last month.
A Grade 1-winning novice hurdler for former owners Caldwell Construction, the six-year-old is now on his way to Paul Nicholls.
The Ditcheat trainer has been rocked by the death of 25-year-old yard worker and amateur jockey Keagan Kirkby at a Kent racecourse last Sunday.
LY Property, Cheshire
LY Property, Cheshire
LY Property, Cheshire
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