Maurice Watkins, the man who helped bring Sir Alex Ferguson to Manchester United, dies aged 79 

Former Manchester United director Maurice Watkins CBE, who brought Sir Alex Ferguson to the Premier League club in 1986, has passed away aged 79.  

Watkins spent 28 years at Old Trafford before retiring in 2012 and was involved in some of the biggest decisions the club has made in that period. 

Not only was Watkins crucial in appointing Ferguson, who went on to become the most successful manager in United’s history, to the club – but he also convinced the Scot to stay on as manager when he threatened to quit in 2001.

Former Manchester United director Maurice Watkins has passed away aged 79

Watkins was involved in hiring Sir Alex Ferguson (middle) at Manchester United in 1986

His final role in sport saw him take up the role of British Swimming chairman, with Team GB enjoying their most successful Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer just before his passing. 

Watkins became a director at Manchester United in 1984, on the same day Sir Bobby Charlton was appointed to the same role, and also held the position as the club’s solicitor.

He represented former United and England defender Rio Ferdinand at the hearing which saw the defender was banned from playing for eight months and fined £50,000 for failing to take a drugs test, as well as Eric Cantona at his assault trial when the striker performed a ‘kung fu’ kick on Crystal Palace fan Matthew Simmons in January 1995.

Around the time of Watkins’ resignation from Manchester United, he took up roles as interim Rugby League Football chairman, Barnsley FC chairman and director of Lancashire County Cricket Club. 

UK Sport chief executive Sally Munday said in a statement: ‘I was so saddened to hear about Maurice. My thoughts are with his family and friends. 

‘Maurice was so well known in the sporting community and the sheer variety of sports that he was involved in throughout his life goes some way to showing the impact he had on the British sporting landscape. 

‘As Chair of British Swimming, he must have been immensely proud of the success that Britain’s aquatics athletes had in Tokyo in the recent weeks. He will be sorely missed.’ 

More to follow.