Be like me and achieve, Ferguson tells pupils

Photo: Pictures ANTHONY MILLER

ALL smiles as Sir Alex is shown around by head teacher Hardial Hayer (right) and chairman of governors Councillor Jim Greenwood

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MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was mobbed by pupils as he opened the £30 million Radclyffe School.

The Reds boss spent around an hour at the Chadderton site yesterday and his verdict was “fantastic”.

He told pupils that they had a great opportunity, describing the effect that Manchester United’s move to new training facilities in Carrington had had on players and staff.

Urging them to make the most of it by working hard he said: “Unfulfilled potential is difficult to handle, believe me . . .

“People say to me ‘why are you so successful?’. They only thing I can come up with is I work hard. When you get to 66, working hard all your life is not easy, it’s a great talent.

“Enjoy your life and express your talents because that is the foundation this school will give you and your parents will give you.”

Sir Alex’s first stop was tea with head teacher Hardial Hayer, deputy head teachers Debbie Wood and Sue Webb — both United season ticket holders — and chairman of governors Councillor Jim Greenwood.

Cheerleaders performed for him in the glass-topped central atrium, known as the street, and he told the Oldham Chronicle: “The street just caught my breath a wee bit. That’s innovation.”

He then entered the school hall to the Champions League theme tune and a standing ovation from more than 400 guests, students and staff, before giving a speech and unveiling a plaque.

Excited pupils mobbed a smiling Sir Alex as he enjoyed a quick tour of the school, a specialist technology college, posing for photographs and signing autographs.

He said it was a world away from his schooldays in the Govan district of Glasgow, adding: “You can’t compare it.”

“Wow” was the reaction from Mr Hayer, who said: “It is fitting that Sir Alex is opening our school.

“We aim to be to secondary education what Manchester United is to the premiership. Our clear goal is to be the best secondary school in the country.”

Councillor Jim Greenwood, a Manchester City season ticket holder, put aside sporting rivalries and added: “It is a real coup for us. It is an absolute treat for the pupils to have a living legend like Sir Alex open our school.

“We are truly living the dream and hope that the fantastic facilities in our flagship school will inspire our pupils to further success.”