Fergie: player bit me on my debut

Last Modified: 14 Nov 2008
By: Lewis Hannam

Sir Alex Ferguson has reflected on the 50th anniversary of his senior debut - which included being bitten by an opposition player.

This weekend marks half a century since the Manchester United boss took to the field for the first time with Queen's Park, in his native Scotland.

The game ended in a 2-1 defeat to Stranaer. Ferguson would go on to score 11 goals for Queens Park before moving to St Johnstone.

He said: "At half time during that first game I wasn't doing too well and Jackie Gardiner [the official in charge of the team] said 'what's wrong with you?'

"I complained that someone had bitten me. He said 'well go and bite him back!'

"Queens Park were always competitive. People used to think because they were amateur and had doctors and teachers playing for them they would be namby pampy.

"But they were as tough as nails. Everyone of them. It was a great upbringing."