HALF a million fans choked the streets of Manchester last
night to welcome home Alex Ferguson and his Manchester
United team after they snatched the European Cup from the
jaws of defeat in three of the most heart-stopping minutes
in football memory.
Not since Sir Matt Busby brought home the trophy 31 years
ago had Mancunians staged such a party, but not since then
have they had so much to celebrate. The air was thick with
calls for the victorious Ferguson to be knighted in the
manner of his illustrious predecessor.
When the team's Monarch Airlines Airbus touched down at
Manchester airport, only a handful of airport workers, and a
battery of cameramen, were there to welcome them on the
tarmac. But when they transferred to an open-top bus for the
seven-mile parade through Manchester, it took the vehicle
all its time to forge through the crowds on its way to a
party in the city centre.
Ferguson acknowledged the adulation of the Red Army with a
raised and clenched fist. He stood at the front of the bus
holding aloft his latest prize with Peter Schmeichel. On the
left of the bus, Wes Brown held up the FA Cup, while on the
right Gary Neville displayed the Premiership trophy. As the
journey progressed at a snail's pace, the team passed their
spoils round, hugging each other, waving and giving thumbs-
up signs to the vast and adoring crowd below.
The noise was deafening. Hundreds of thousands of voices
chanted "Glory, glory Man United" and intoned the names of
their heroes.
The bus's destination was Deansgate, where 17,000 fans had
paid £3 each to share in a party at the Manchester Evening
News Arena that was almost an act of worship. The proceeds
went to a local children's charity which Ferguson supports.
Inside the arena, the fans had come to pay tribute to their
heroes. The players, led by Ferguson clutching the European
Cup, emerged through a cloud of dry ice to fireworks and a
massive ovation.
Captain Roy Keane, departing goalkeeper Schmeichel and, to
the loudest roars of all, manager Ferguson, thanked the fans
for their support. Ferguson said: "We've got the greatest
fans in the world and some fantastic players. Well done."
The Lord Mayors of Manchester, Salford and Trafford welcomed
the team home, proclaiming them "The greatest football team
the world has ever seen". Then, as red and white streamers
fell and more fireworks were set off, the team filed out
dancing with the trophies while fans launched into a
deafening medley of popular United chants and songs.
Many shops and businesses closed for the afternoon, such was
the extent of absenteeism and ecstatic employers'
generosity. Pat Karney, deputy leader of Manchester City
Council, even declared the day an unofficial public holiday.