Fergie is backing Cove’s SFL bid

Boost for Allan Park side

EXCLUSIVE

By Andrew Moir

Published:

BACKING: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

MEMORY MATCH: Cove and Manchester United players line up ahead of their match in 1992.

SIR Alex Ferguson today threw his weight behind Cove Rangers’ bid to win a place in the Scottish Football League.

The Allan Park side go head-to-head with Spartans, Edinburgh City, Annan Athletic and Preston Athletic to replace fallen giants Gretna in the Third Division.

The 29 member clubs will vote on Thursday to decide who’ll make the step up, with 15 votes needed to win the battle.

But Cove have now been boosted by landing the backing of the Manchester United and Aberdeen legend.

Ferguson, who clinched domestic and European success last season, would love nothing more than to see the Highland League Champions win the race for a league place.

“I’m right behind Cove’s bid to win a place in the Scottish Football League,” said Ferguson.

“I have always recognised Cove to be a very progressive club and it’s great they are showing real ambition.

“Cove president Alan McRae has always had the drive to push the club forward and that’s something I have admired.

“So much so I brought a Manchester United team up to Allan Park to mark the opening of a new lounge and floodlights in 1992.

“Since then the club has made great progress and they have a structure in place.

“So they deserve to be successful and progress.”

Fergie reckons that even the Dons would prosper from a second senior side in the city.

He added: “Aberdeen have also pledged their support to Cove.

“They appreciate that competition isn’t a bad thing.

“Another team in the city will provide that but Aberdeen is a big enough place to cope with that.

“I can only wish Cove good luck and hope that their bid is successful.”

Ferguson, who is proud of his North-east connections, reckons a place for Cove would help to even out the imbalance of teams throughout Scotland.

The Old Trafford manager is convinced Cove can emulate the success of the other North clubs.

“Cove’s inclusion would balance out the teams north of Stirling to a better degree,” he said.

“The north clubs like Aberdeen, Inverness Caley Thistle and Ross County have all made great strides forward in their own different ways.

“Other clubs like Peterhead and Elgin have also done well.

“It would be a great achievement if Cove’s bid was accepted.”

Click here to view Cove’s video application package.

WOULD COVE ENTERING THE SCOTTISH LEAGUE BE GOOD FOR ABERDEEN? EMAIL: ee.sport@ajl.co.uk