Caithness bakery boss stunned by phone call from football legend Sir Alex Ferguson
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A Caithness businessman had to pinch himself when he took a phone call at home – and realised that the person on the other end of the line was football legend Sir Alex Ferguson, offering to sign a portrait of himself to help local charities.
Gary Reid, who runs Thurso-based Reids Bakery with his wife Tracy, had sent the former Manchester United manager a painting by local artist Davie Greig in the hope that he would autograph it. The artwork depicts "Fergie" during his time as Aberdeen boss, holding aloft the European Cup-Winners' Cup which the Dons won in 1983.
Gary (44) had already gifted shortbread from the family firm to Sir Alex a number of years ago and hoped the man who won multiple trophies during a glittering managerial career would agree to sign Davie's painting so it could be raffled to raise money for two good causes in Caithness.
Gary and Tracy dispatched the original painting along with a copy for Sir Alex to keep. They also enclosed a family photo as well as snapshots of their daughter Mia at Aberdeen's Pittodrie Stadium and son Ethan in a Manchester United kit.
About three months went by without a response.
“We sent it off, we knew it had been received, and we couldn't understand how nothing was coming back,” Gary said. "He knows our brand, he knows our shortbread, so I used that contact."
Then, two Saturdays ago, Gary's mobile rang. "My son was on my phone watching kids' YouTube clips at the table, with my mother [Joyce] in the house at the same time, and I saw the withheld number," Gary said.
“I took the phone off my son and answered it and I got, 'Hello, Gary – it's Sir Alex Ferguson here.'
“I paused for maybe one or two seconds and wondered if it was a gimmick, but I knew it was his voice.
“I said, 'How are you doing, Alex?' He said, 'I'm very well, Gary, I'm ringing about the painting you sent me.'”
Sir Alex apologised for the delay in replying but said his secretary at Old Trafford had been off for a year because of the pandemic.
“He was basically apologising to me. I said that was okay. And he said, 'As you can imagine, Gary, I get lots of these things sent to me but this painting is definitely one of the better ones.' He said he really liked it and would get it signed.
“He said, 'By the way, I see you're doing a great job there at Reids Bakery. I'm delighted that you've sent me shortbread again.'
"I said, 'I think you're the greatest man-manager that ever lived.' And he said, 'Gary, thank you very, very much for saying that, it means a lot to me.'
“I just think he is an amazing man with a great work ethic. People like that just make me work hard myself.
“It was a 10-minute conversation. I told him I really appreciated that he had taken the time out to call me.
“When I hung up I was just pinching myself. I was saying, 'I can't believe I was just speaking to Sir Alex Ferguson!' He is one of my idols."
A couple of minutes later, Gary's phone rang for a second time. It was Sir Alex again, checking to make sure he had the correct address for the bakery in Thurso's Ormlie Industrial Estate.
The signed painting will be raffled in aid of local Macmillan Cancer Support nurses and Caithness Foodbank. “Every single penny made will go to these charities – we'll split it down the middle,” Gary said.
He will promote the raffle through Facebook and hopes to have tickets on sale at outlets in Thurso and Wick as well as the larger villages.
Painting is a hobby for Davie (42), who works offshore, and he has created a number of artworks on a footballing theme.
"I was chuffed to say the least," he said. "I've always had a thing for football memorabilia and I thought this would be a popular one.
"We had the idea of trying to raise a bit of money for local charities.
"Sir Alex is one of the most iconic Scottish football managers and I was delighted Gary got a chance to speak to one of his heroes. Hopefully we can raise a fair bit."
Gary explained that Sir Alex is one of the five idols in his life. The others are his late father Donald, who started the family firm in 1966, and Sir Boyd Tunnock, owner of Tunnock's confectionery business, along with Bruce Band and the late David Steven, both of whom inspired Gary in developing the spinal treatment business which he runs as a separate venture.
He said: "Sir Boyd Tunnock is one of my best friends, as is Bruce Band, who certified me in my spinal work."
