Sir Alex reveals the reason behind his success

Sir Alex Ferguson

Former manager of Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed the reason behind his success, which the Scot has owed to being beaten by his favourite school-teacher with a belt.

As a schoolboy, Sir Alex was beaten with a belt by his school teacher Elizabeth Thomson, whenever he stepped out of line. The belt now lies in the 72-year-old’s study at home, after it was left to him by his teacher just before her death.

“Six from that belt and you were in absolute agony. That was the punishment you had, in my case, usually for fighting in the playground,” he told the Times Educational Supplement.

Ferguson, who has been famous for his “hair dryer” treatment of players, added: “Elizabeth Thomson was an inspiration to me. She had a raw determination about her and she improved everyone she touched.

“Mrs Thomson endeavoured to make you be the best you could be. Yes, that part of me comes from her.”

The Scot also revealed that he kept in touch with his teacher long after the conclusion of his school in the 50′s, and while he was the manager of Aberdeen and Manchester United.

“When she died, I couldn’t go to her funeral but months later I got a parcel. She had bequeathed her belt to me.

“Her nephew sent it with a letter saying: ‘You’ll know more about this belt than anyone.’ It’s in my study now. My grandchildren are terrified of it.”

Corporal punishment has been banned in Glasgow from the year 1982.