Fergie's Time with The Shire

On 27 June 1974, thirty-two year old Alex Ferguson was appointed part-time manager of Second Division East Stirlingshire on £40 per week. Ferguson's new club had finished the previous season as Scotland's bottom team and didn't even have a goalkeeper when he arrived at Firs Park. For managerial novice Fergie - and the Falkirk-based "Shire" - the only way was up.

This section of “The Shire” website looks back at Fergie's hugely impressive four months as the East Stirlingshire team's boss, some early signs of his formidable managerial style and his desire to have his team play exciting, attacking football. 

117 eventful days after arriving as Shire boss, on Monday 21 October, Alex Ferguson was installed as the St. Mirren manager, immediately outlining his aims for his new club.

Fergie's decision to leave Firs Park was not an easy one to make and he took several days to come to a conclusion, including seeking advice from Jock Stein.

After just four months with the ever-improving Shire, there was a feeling of unfinished business, both on and off the field. He was indebted to the East Stirlingshire board for giving him his first management job and he felt a loyalty towards the Shire players who had performed so well for him.

Alex Ferguson's short spell with the Shire will never be forgotten and it's a measure of his success that, at the time of his move from Falkirk to Paisley, East Stirlingshire were in a higher league position than considerably bigger club St. Mirren.