Categories: Sport

Riggs: Alex Ferguson at court to give evidence

Sir Alex Ferguson was in attendance at the trial of his former Manchester United player Ryan Giggs today as the winger stands accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville.

Giggs, 48, is alleged to have headbutted Greville at their home in Worthing on November 1, 2020, as well as assaulting her sister Emma. He is also accused of using controlling and coercive behaviour towards Greville during their six-year relationship. He denies all charges.

Ferguson was manager of Man Utd for 27 years and signed Giggs for the club as a schoolboy. Questioned by Giggs’ barrister Christopher Daw QC, Ferguson said: “He [Giggs] was 13 years of age when we first got to know about Ryan, he was playing for Deansgate and training at Manchester City. We worked hard to get him to come to the Cliff [United’s then-training ground].

“He came with his father on one occasion, we started visiting his house to get him to come to Manchester United.”

He added: “Ryan was a quiet boy, he sat there quietly while his mother had done all the talking, asked about his ambitions for the club, [the club] had been through a bad time. We had a big job to do… It was important we tried to get him signed by his 14th birthday… His other club Manchester CIty were also trying to do that.”

Ferguson continued: “We and my assistant went to watch the young boys coming through, the important time is when they become an apprentice because that’s when you become in control of them…”

“When he was 17 he came into the first team and that’s when we really had to think about looking after him,” he added.

“The thing was the press, the media started comparing him with George Best and we had to face a lot media attention on the boy. I said to his mother I’ll look after him, if anyone came to him from the media they would have to come through me.

“If someone says you’re the next George Best it’s a big issue the boy was great, there was no trouble and if media wanted to come to him to do articles they had to come through me.”

Asking about Giggs’ relationship with women, Daw said: “He was a player who had a number of girlfriends and lady friends as his life progressed.”

Ferguson said: “At that stage I don’t think there was anything… When we had dinners at the end of the season he would bring friends with him yeah.”

Speaking about their time working together, Ferguson said: “When he got over the issue of the dressing room I used Ryan a lot in the sense of when I lost my temper about performance I would use Ryan as an example. Sometimes he got the sharp end of my tongue but he was strong enough and could take it. Everyone else would think ‘If Ryan Giggs can take it I can take it’.”

Mr Daw then asked Ferguson about Giggs’ temperament.

Ferguson said: “Fantastic temperament, wonderful temperament. To have the career he had in a difficult position he had to have a good temperament…

“Best example I had in the club, everyone looked up at Ryan as the number one.”

Daw asked: “Did you ever see him lose his temper?”

Ferguson replied: “No.”

The trial continues.

Idoko Dennis

Idoko Dennis is a creative videographer/drone pilot and sport writer. He heads the sport desk and deputizes the head of Idoma TV

Recent Posts

Soaring rice prices threaten Christmas celebrations for Nigerian families

Rice, a staple for Christmas celebrations in Nigeria, has become a luxury this year. Soaring…

1 day ago

Panic as Stage collapses during Odumodublvck’s performance at Lagos concert

Panic erupted on Saturday at a concert in Lagos when the stage collapsed during Odumodublvck’s…

1 day ago

2025 Budget: FG allocates ₦6.36bn for renovation of Tinubu, Shettima’s official quarters

The Federal Government of Nigeria has allocated ₦6,364,181,224 billion for the refurbishment and rehabilitation of…

1 day ago

Black Market Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate Today 22nd December 2024

The black market dollar to naira exchange rate for today, 22nd December 2024, can be…

1 day ago

NNPC debunks shutdown rumors, confirms fuel loading at Port Harcourt Refinery

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has refuted claims that the 60,000 barrels per…

1 day ago

‘We have to find a way’ – Guardiola laments after defeat to Aston Villa

Manchester City finds itself in unprecedented turmoil, with relegation-level form showing little sign of improvement.…

1 day ago