Alex Ferguson was born very close to where I lived in Govan a shipyard area in Glasgow. He is a bit older than I but we both went to the same Govan High school. The motto of the school is ‘Nihil Sine Labore’ ( Nothing without Labour ). One thing that we both shared was the love of the local Non League club Benburb JFC.
Over the years I tried to coincide my holidays to Scotland with watching a match with the ‘Bens’. However, in 2003 dark clouds loomed over the club and survival seemed impossible. A turf war had started between two rival drug gangs with one of the gangs taking over the Benburb Social Club. To make matters worse the Tinto Park ground was derelict and the subject of constant vandalism. I was devastated, to be honest, and offered to help the club. My eldest son Stuart built a basic website for them. I produced programmes through my business with Minuteman Press in Basingstoke doing a superb job.
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Then more disaster befell the club in the form of a murder at the Social club. The rival turf mob stabbed to death the clubhouse owner. This eventually led to a high-profile murder trial which ended with a ‘Not Proven’ verdict. In the interim, a couple of guys were stabbed in the buttocks at one of the matches. The club had already moved back into the Clubhouse block away from the Social club.
After a few matches, I thought perhaps I should send a programme to Alex Ferguson explaining the plight of the club. Virtually by return of post, he offered to help in any way he could. I explained to him the club had been playing all their fixtures away from home and expecting to fold. He quickly responded by saying ‘Tell them not to leave the fooking ground!!’. That of course is the golden rule with ground disputes.
For ten years Sir Alex stuck with the Bens always showing interest and support including financially until they were sustainable. I tried to play my part in the programmes and provide advertising space as well as historical items.
Eventually, the fight was on for a new or replacement ground. The club had not given way and still retained the deeds to the Tinto Park ground. Their hard work and efforts were rewarded when they were provided with land behind the existing Tinto Park ground and a new football ground was built. The existing ground was demolished and is now covered with houses. After ten years of slugging it out both Sir Alex and I departed the scene. He said a few months back that Benburb will always have a place in his heart. I feel the same way.
Having reached the end of the road with Benburb I thought what a relief not to be involved in another football ground-saving exercise. Then along comes the Camrose Scandal and you could hardly make it up. To a football supporter, the ground is the most important part. Owners come and go. Club officials come and go. Managers and players come and go. However, the football ground is the constant and what the football fraternity identifies with.
Surely to goodness, the council should be able to do a deal and get the Camrose ground restored with SNG.
David GrahamKempshott
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