Back in May 1993, United were still striving to be champions for the first time since the George Best-Bobby Charlton-Denis Law triumvirate ruled the roost in 1967, and the tension was proving too much for Ferguson.
Their only rivals for the crown, Aston Villa, were playing Oldham live on TV, 24 hours ahead of United’s game against Blackburn, and Ferguson headed for the calm and serenity of a local golf course, rather than monitoring events in his lounge at home.
Villa duly faltered, and, unbeknown to Ferguson, United’s long wait to be crowned champions was over. Unbeknown, that is, until the crunch of footsteps on a gravel path interrupted a putt on the 17th green at Mottram Hall golf club in Cheshire and an unfamiliar face delivered the news.
The bearer of glad tidings remained anonymous for years after but decided to make himself known, in the wake of Ferguson’s latest title success, United’s 20th in all.
A lifelong United fanatic, Michael Lavender wrote to Ferguson to reveal himself, after being mentioned in the Old Trafford manager’s autobiography in 2007. Finally, he went public - in an interview with BBC Sport's Chris Bevan - with his role in the breakthrough championship 20 years ago after hearing Ferguson refer to it being the most significant and rewarding.
As Ferguson described it, he had reached the 17th green when he heard a car screeching to a halt, followed by footsteps on the gravel path. ‘A man I didn't know came over the hill with a huge smile on his face and said, "Excuse me Mr Ferguson, you are the champions. Oldham have won at Villa",' he recalled.
Lavender was the mysterious messenger who unwittingly inspired countless subsequent references to how Ferguson’s first title was 'won on the golf course'.
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