Gerry Cox: Some wouldn’t call Alex Ferguson one of the good guys, but he was a gent to me

His reputation with reporters was fearsome, so naturally there was some trepidation from me as a young writer tasked with getting his thoughts each week, writes Gerry Cox

]Alex Ferguson passes his 80th birthday with his place in the annals of football history already secure. Picture: Martin Rickett

Forget hiding in plain sight — Alex Ferguson once told me he was terrified about being found hiding in Plainmoor, home of Torquay United.

It is impossible that any football fan would fail to recognise in their midst Alex Ferguson, who turns 80 this New Year’s Eve.