Understanding the story behind the infamous ‘Ta Ra Fergie’ moment
On December 9, 1989, a struggling Sir Alex Ferguson watched his side fall to a 2-1 home defeat against Crystal Palace in the first division. Lifelong Red Pete Molyneux was in attendance, and in an age where social media did not exist, he opted to take matters into his own hands (literally).
The level of frustration amongst a disenchanted Old Trafford was reaching boiling point. Ferguson’s side had endured defeat in six outings in the run-up to the fixture, off the back of an eleventh-placed finish the previous campaign.
Taking a bedsheet and a tin of paint from his shed, Pete created his masterpiece and unleashed it upon the world during that famous fixture – “3 YEARS OF EXCUSES AND IT’S STILL CRAP … TA RA FERGIE,” it read.
The sign was an attempt to vent frustration when Twitter, or X, was not an option, and its unveiling received widespread applause across the ground.
The rest, as they say, is history, and the man is happy to admit he was proven incorrect. But its significance is eerily relevant to the situation with Erik ten Hag in the present day.
Getting to know the man behind the banner
Pete has been an avid supporter since watching the 1963 FA Cup final as a nine-year-old boy, with United beating Leicester City by three goals to one to claim their third victory in the competition.
From the Busby Babes to Fergie’s Fledglings, he has witnessed a barrage of greatness throughout his time supporting this iconic club.
Speaking with Shaun Connolly on the official Theatre of Red podcast, Pete outlined the events that led to that moment, which, in many ways, is an iconic piece of Old Trafford history.
“By 1989, we were on our sixth manager since the great Sir Matt Busby, and we were nowhere nearer winning the league as we had been in any of the previous 22 years,” Pete advised Shaun.
“Fergie had come in having followed Frank O’Farrell, Wilf McGuinness, Tommy Docherty, Dave Sexton and bought a lot of players, and basically – in that Autumn and Winter of 1989/90, the football was turgid – absolutely dreadful.
“We couldn’t score, the forwards weren’t playing well, the selections seemed to baffle fans, crowds were down to 33 thousand, and it was awful.
“Approaching his third anniversary in November ’89, I decided I had enough – not of United, but of that manager.”
He continued. “It was bugging me so much – I was annoyed – I wanted to tell the manager what I thought of him.
“So, I got some paint out of the shed and a bedsheet off the bed and made a banner.
“Shortly after his third anniversary, I held that up at Old Trafford on December 9, 1989, and the crowd instantly responded very positively.
“I was very concerned before I held it up – it seemed very disloyal, I’m a loyal supporter – but it was the manager I was having a go at – not the club. “
A unique scenario at Old Trafford
Pete was doing something uncommon – a trailblazer – but his decision generated much applause.
A regular online conversation is debated in 2024 about the nature of mannerisms when comparing the match-going support and those who watch their football at home or the pub.
Pete referenced a shared opinion of frustration on the ground at the time – one that sticks with him as he continues his relationship with the club.
“I think the people who go to Old Trafford – I’m not saying they’re better or more knowledgeable fans – but, they are the guys and gals that pay week in, week out, or upfront in the Summer every year,” Pete said.
“They’re usually the last ones to give up on the manager, and the feeling then was – yeah, we’ve had enough. He’s had three years, he’s spent enough, and it looked like we were getting nowhere.”
In response, Sir Alex commented in the following week’s match programme that it was his darkest day in football at the time – also mentioning the moment in several books years later.
Naturally, Pete embraces how the following years played out – always happy to celebrate the inevitable success that proved his banner very wrong.
Undeniable comparisons with the present-day
After a frustrating campaign that yielded a 13th-placed league finish with a negative goal difference, many believe that an FA Cup success was not only the saving grace for Fergie but the inevitable catalyst for his Manchester legacy.
Following today’s 2-1 victory against Manchester City at Wembley, United have claimed their 13th triumph in the competition, with a forgettable season of an eighth-placed finish and a negative goal difference ending with a memorable moment for Erik ten Hag.
In the days leading up to today’s showpiece, reports suggested the Dutchman would be relieved of his duties regardless of the result – probing yet another divide into the Red fanbase.
Shaun asked Pete how he felt about the situation and whether or not he held a differing opinion from 1989.
“I’ll nail my colours to the mast now – obviously, I wanted Fergie to go then – I can never backtrack on that – but I do not want Ten Hag to go now – I’m right behind him,” the ‘Ta Ra Fergie’ author said.
“That’s based on faith rather than any logic. But a lot of football following is about faith, and it’s about things you have not seen yet – that you hope to come, you believe will come, but they’ve not manifested themselves yet.
“Certainly, we were there in ‘89 with Fergie. But Ten Hag, the difference is he’s only had two years, not three years – I think every manager deserves a minimum of three years.
“If you’re going to try and build something lasting, it will take you two or three years.”
Wise words from a man who spent a lifetime following his beloved club at home and abroad, growing a sense of understanding as he – like this fine club – experienced inevitable highs and lows throughout the years.
What next for Manchester United
At the time of writing, we are none the wiser about the future of Ten Hag, with the club seemingly wishing to remain tight-lipped about their plans.
There are a host of names touted as replacements for the new INEOS hierarchy, with former first-team coach Kieran McKenna emerging as a surprise favourite amongst the bookies.
Before I hit publish, the above poll by Andy Mitten had 19,173 votes, with 83% of those answering yes – that is a staggering 15,913.
Above, we referenced the sense of agreement in the Theatre of Red during that difficult period of 1989. While Mr Mitten’s tweet does not represent the entire fanbase, it certainly indicates a favourable siding with the two-time domestic cup-winning manager.
Furthermore, those in attendance at Wembley were unanimously behind the Dutchman and his continuation as leader.
The goal, as a supporter of Manchester United, is to back the players, the manager and his coaching staff and to fight off the inevitable backlash dished out daily.
Regardless of the outcome for ten Hag, the Theatre of Red remains firmly behind him and congratulates him on a job well done in the capital.
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