Sir Alex Ferguson watches son Darren Ferguson lead Peterborough United team to domestic trophy
The name Sir Alex Ferguson sends shudders across fans across the world. He dominated the soccer world for over twenty years, and since his departure last season the game has seemed a better, more competitive place, but his son Darren Ferguson, has been working hard for a while, building the beginning of his own legacy. He is the manager of smaller English club, Peterborough United, and in his time in charge he's enjoyed three promotions, endured the pain of relegation, been sacked and re-hired, and now he's won the Johnstone's Paint Trophy as both a player and manager. Not only that, his father Sir Alex watched the victory from the crowd.
Ferguson's Peterborough United are two divisions below the likes of Sir Alex's former club Manchester United and rivals Liverpool, but with the English league system, they could one day find themselves playing alongside them, albeit unlikely. In the top four divisions in England there are only a few chances to win a trophy. There are league titles, then the FA Cup and the League Cup, which anyone of the top four divisions can win. As the bigger clubs have higher finances, there is the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, which only the third and fourth tier teams can compete for, and win.
When you look it like that, it's safe to say, that other than their promotions, this trophy victory may be the biggest victory a club like Peterborough United can achieve. Darren's men had stormed through the competition this season, and their reward was a match up against the lower division team, Chesterfield, and they'd both face one another at the most famous stadium in all of soccer, Wembley Stadium. The stadium is also the venue that oversees the FA Cup final, the League Cup final and many other major events, so for clubs like Peterborough United and Chesterfield to compete for a trophy there, it's a pretty big deal.
On a warm Sunday afternoon (Sunday 30th March) in London the pair went head-to-head in front of 35,000 fans, hoping the lift the sought after trophy. The Posh had too much in the tank for Chesterfield and ran out 3-1 winners, making it three times Peterborough have played at the national stadium, and three times they've won. The trophy and game itself, all in all, is worth well over a $1 million to Peterborough, which is a huge figure for the small club.
A beautiful corner was headed, and saved by the Chesterfield keeper, but he couldn't keep hold of it and that allowed for Peterborough player Josh McQuoid to net the opener within the first ten minutes. Later Shaun Brisley added a second, taking a 2-0 advantage to half time, and Chesterfield looked out of the contest. A second half goal for Chesterfield, and a red card for Peterborough United's uninspiring Joe Newell ensured their was over half an hour of torture for the 20,000 Peterborough fans and of course the players.
Boro continued to battle and Mark Little was brought down, with a penalty the consequence, and star man Britt Assombalonga stepped up to score his 28th goal of the season, and ensured his side would finish as the 3-1 victors, and lift the trophy in front of their many fans. It was a big moment for Peterborough's young star, who many have tipped to eventually make an impact on the Premier League, as he was there a year ago with his former team Southend United, and he suffered defeat, so you'd bet he'd be the happiest man on the pitch.
Although many will think the Ferguson era is done, there could be his son to deal for Premier League sides to deal with before long, as Darren Ferguson continues to build his impressive resume and look to fulfil his personal target of becoming a top Premier League manager.