The hand-written team sheet from Sir Alex Ferguson’s first ever game as Manchester United boss on November 8, 1986 is set to be sold for an expected £2,000 to £3,000.
In the days of just one substitute, a team containing the likes of Arthur Albiston, Paul McGrath and Frank Stapleton went down 2-0 to Oxford United.
The historic item is to be sold in Devizes, Wiltshire by Henry Aldridge & Son on behalf of a U’s fan who received it from former player Peter Rhoades-Brown.
“The team in November 1986 was a little different to the star-studded affair for Sir Alex’s last game in charge that included global stars such as Robin Van Persie,” auctioneer Andrew Aldridge told the Telegraph.
“The first match included names such as Chris Turner in goal, Paul McGrath at centre back and Peter Davenport up front.
“The present owner is a life-long Oxford fan and it was given to him by Peter Rhoades-Brown, an Oxford player, as a souvenir.”
Few predicted the Scot would go on to become the most successful United manager of all time, an tenure that accounted for 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues.
This rare piece of memorabilia is set to go under the hammer on June 22.
1. Chris Turner, 2. Mike Duxbury, 3. Arthur Albiston4. Kevin Moran, 5. Paul McGrath, 6. Graeme Hogg, 7. Clayton Blackmore, 8. Remi Moses, 9. Frank Stapleton, 10. Peter Davenport, 11. Peter Barnes
Substitute: Jesper Olsen
Image courtesy of YahooTV via YouTube, with thanks.
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
