Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson
Patrick Rowe
Sir Alex Ferguson's first signing at Manchester United is now living a completely different life away from football.
The legendary United boss made copious amounts of signings throughout his 17-year reign at Old Trafford - including the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand.
While many of his former United signings have remained in the game - whether it is as a player, manager or commentator - others have pursued completely different career paths in their post-United days.
One player that has chosen a different route is the first signing Ferguson ever made at United - Alan Tonge.
The defender joined the club at the age of 14 back in 1987, before progressing through the youth system and signing his first professional deal in 1990.
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Tonge was then released a year later and went on to play for Exeter City from 1991 to 1994 - where a back injury would force him to retire at the age of 22.
Commenting on his exit from United to The Sun, Tonge said: "Fergie told me, ‘We’re not going to renew your contract, son’.
“I was sick to the stomach and felt like I had taken a punch from a heavyweight boxer.
“I didn’t know how to act — I just remember muttering, ‘Thank you for the opportunity’.
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“I felt like I’d let my family down. I’d avoid people in the village where I lived as I didn’t want to tell them I was no longer at United.
“I was discarded like an empty crisp packet after four years there.”
After being forced out of the sport at an early age, Tonge would go into further education as his next career move. Obtaining a degree in sports science before also completing his masters in philosophy and a Phd on critical times in the career of a footballer.
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He now works as a lecturer at the University Campus of Football Business after getting his Phd and has also written a ball called 'From Red to Read' regarding his journey at the Premier League club.
“Writing it was a cathartic experience. Football is not just about the Premier League," he added.
“It is an interesting and unique world – it can be lucrative and exhilarating, but when that is all over, the difficult void to fill can be immense.
“I spoke to 212 ex-footballers for my PhD. A high percentage, even if they had a mental health issue, preferred to keep it to themselves because they worried that it would count against them in regard to team selection."