SIR Alex Ferguson is mourning the loss of his beloved wife Cathy.
Throughout his career, she was always by his side as he conquered the world of football.
Born Cathy Holding, she was known for being the wife of former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.
The couple first met in 1964, before tying the knot two years later in 1966.
This means, the pair were married for nearly 60 years before she sadly passed away.
Cathy was known for being by her husband’s side throughout his playing career, and incredible journey to management.
Speaking in the 2021 documentary Sir Alex Ferguson Never Give In, Cathy joked that she thought he was a “thug” when she first met him.
The football legend had a cut to his face which he suffered playing in a match, when his future wife saw him for the first time.
The couple met when they were both working at the Remington Rand typewriter factory in Hillington, Glasgow.
Cathy said: “I just saw him walking through and I thought he was a thug.
“Then I found out he was a footballer and that didn’t make him any different to me.
“He bought me a box of liquorice allsorts at the movies, of which he ate all of them, and a local paper when we came out. That was my romantic day.
“We got married in Glasgow registry office in 1966 and that was the start. I went to my work and he went to his football.”
Cathy sadly passed away on the morning of October 5, 2023.
A statement on behalf of the Ferguson family said: “We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing yesterday of Lady Cathy Ferguson, survived by her husband, three sons, two sisters, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
“The family asks for privacy at this time.”
During their marriage, Cathy and Alex welcomed three children together, and 12 grandchildren.
Their son Mark was born in 1968, followed by twin boys, Darren and Jason, born 1972.
Darren followed his father into football and is the manager of League One team, Peterborough United.
He also played at Manchester United under his dad, before moving to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1994.
Sir Alex always had great praise for his wife and the matriarch of the Ferguson family.
Speaking in his 2013 autobiography he said: “Cathy is fantastic with the kids. It’s a military operation with her.
“If any of them misbehave, they’re in the doghouse.”
In his 2021 documentary, Sir Alex talked about how he was encouraged to ask Cathy out by a friend.
He revealed: “I was 22. I had this friend and she said to me ‘There’s a really nice girl that’s just started’.
“I had suffered an injury at football and I had a plaster on my face. She thought I was either a gangster or a boxer.
“We got really close and I really loved her.”
Meanwhile, when Sir Alex wanted to retire his family convinced him to remain in charge of Manchester United, with Cathy listing her reasoning as, “One, your health is good. Two, I’m not having you in the house. And three, you’re too young anyway.”
Ferguson went on to retire a few years later, at the time saying his wife “needed him” after her sister died.
