STATUESQUE..

I see they`re going to unveil a statue of `Sir` Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford to mark his 26 years as Manchester United manager.   At first glance, marking 26 years seems an odd number but, as is well known, 26 is indeed unique and deserves to be remembered.   Now, in all the limitless world of number-land,  26 is the only number that lies between a squared number (5x5) and a cubed number (3x3x3.)  So it`s special.

I`m sure the powers that be at Old Trafford were well aware of this when they decided on the statue wheeze.....either that or Ferguson might at last be on his way and give us something to celebrate?   Anyway, they should be careful, for the experience of statues in my own club has been more than a little chequered.   Shortly after his sad passing it was decided to erect a statue to Southampton stalwart Ted Bates.  

The first one which was revealed (pictured above) bore little resemblance to the Ted Bates we all knew and admired.   Instead, it turned out to be a very fair representation of Jimmy Krankie and thus attracted some well deserved ridicule.  So a second one (pictured left) was commissioned and does Ted Bates well, standing outside the main entrance to St. Mary`a Stadium.  

So I hope Manchester United don`t suffer the same problems but then there really is only one image that captures the restraint and dignity of  the knight of the realm that is Ferguson and on which the statue must surely be based.  It`s this one:-

Or perhaps Ferguson, in a sneak preview, has caught a glimpse of what his statue looks like and is offering his considered critique?   And maybe we`ll finally discover what became of the Jimmy Krankie statue after all.