Sir Alex Ferguson's unlikely role in Wigan Warriors' historic Old Trafford victory
Wigan Warriors were dealt a huge honour in the lead-up to the Super League Grand Final after it was revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson handed the playing squad their jerseys ahead of the Old Trafford showpiece.
The legendary Manchester United manager is synonymous with Old Trafford after a 27-year career at the club, in a trophy-laden spell in which he helped the club to thirteen league titles and two Champions League trophies.
Wigan were gunning to complete a historic quadruple at the Theatre of Dreams, something they were able to achieve as Bevan French's try proved to be the difference as Matt Peet secured his seventh title in three years as the club's head coach.
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In winning all four trophies available in one season, Wigan have achieved a feat only previously achieved four times in history, making Ferguson's small contribution all the more fitting.
“Sir Alex presented all of the lads’ jerseys," Peet said after the game. “We reached out through a mutual friend. We just thought that we were on the verge of something similar to when United won the treble (in 1999).
“Our challenge at the moment is continuing some decent success. Playing at Old Trafford and with Sir Alex building careers by developing homegrown talent, with his mentality, we thought he’d be the perfect person. Fortunately, we could make that happen and he was epic, as you can imagine.
“You hung on every word he said, but it was more about his presence. I’ve never seen the lads so quiet. Having a leader like that and a humble man like he was as well, you could hear a pin drop.”