Explainers

DARREN Ferguson was always going to end up in the world of football with a dad like Alex Ferguson.Despite having a well-known dad, he’s also managed to carve out quite the career for himself.
Darren Ferguson was the manager of Peterborough United twiceCredit: Action Images – Reuters
Who is Darren Ferguson?
Darren Ferguson is one of Sir Alex’s three sons as he as followed his father into the world of football management.
He is one of Fergie and Cathy’s three sons – the other two being Mark and Darren’s twin Jason.
Ferguson was born on February 9, 1972, in Glasgow, and by 1990 he was playing for Manchester United when it was under his father’s management.
His mum Cathy passed away on Thursday, October 6, 2023.
She was 84-years-old and the family released a statement that 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 his stint at United, Ferguson played in the team’s first 15 games of the new Premier League in 1992-1993 but was transferred to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1993 when his chances of making United’s first team were slim.
He played for Wolves for five years and later played for Dutch side Sparta Rotterdam and Wrexham before leaving playing to become a club manager.
In 2007 he took over as manager for League Two team Peterborough United and led the club to finish in 10th place in his first season.
He took the club up to the Championship, winning League Manager of the Month a few times on the way, before leaving in 2009.
He left by mutual consent when the club came bottom of the Championship and were relegated back down to League One.
Preston North End signed Ferguson as a manager in January 2010 but he was sacked in December after losing 24 games.
During his time at the Lancashire club he was charged with misconduct by the FA for his behaviour towards a referee in the tunnel after the club’s defeat by Burnley.
In 2011 he returned to Peterborough as manager on a four and a half year contract.
Under Ferguson’s guidance the club returned to the Championship just one year after being relegated and spent two years playing in the league.
They were relegated back to League One and again Ferguson left Peterborough by mutual consent.
Since October 2015 Ferguson has been manager of League One club Doncaster Rovers who were relegated to League Two at the end of their 2015-16 season.
However, under Fergie’s son they won promotion back to League One in May 2017.
They finished 15th in the 2017-18 season with Ferguson standing down at the end of the campaign.
He is currently manager of League One club Peterborough United.
MORE ON SIR ALEX FERGUSON
 Is he married and does he have kids?
In June 2003 the football manager married Nadine Metcalfe but they divorced in 2007.
The former couple have two children, Charlie, who is Nadine’s son from a previous relationship and Grace.
Ferguson was arrested on suspicion of assaulting his estranged wife on the driveway of his dad’s home in Wilmslow, Cheshire, in October 2007.
He was charged in January 2008 with grievous bodily harm and pleaded guilty to the charge in April leading him to be fined £1,500.
He is now married to Nicola Noblet and they have a son, Frankie, born 2010.

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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.
Sir Alex Ferguson and his beloved late wife CathyCredit: Getty Images
Who was Sir Alex Ferguson’s wife Cathy?
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.
Read more on Cathy Ferguson
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.
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“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.”
When did Cathy Ferguson die?
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.”
How many children did Cathy have with Sir Alex Ferguson?
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.
What has Sir Alex Ferguson said about his wife?
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. More