SIR Alex Ferguson Park is bustling with young footballers being put through their paces on training nights.

The community facility, near Braehead, takes its name from its famous patron Sir Alex, and today club organisers paid tribute to the man who has given so much to the game.

While he might have sat in the dug-outs and shouted at the sidelines at some of the most famous football stadiums across the world, the sporting legacy he has given to the Govan community cannot be underestimated.

As revealed in later editions of last night's Evening Times, Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down as manager of Manchester United after 26 years, but will take on an ambassador role.

And for the committee of Harmony Row Youth Club there could be no greater ambassador.

Agnes Nisbet, chairwoman of the club where Sir Alex started playing at the age of 10, said: "We were on the brink of disappearing when Sir Alex came on board and literally was our saviour.

"He became our patron, and it wasn't just in name –he has been so hands on and with us every step of the way.

"Through his support and reputation we went on to provide new facilities which he opened four years ago.

"We have gone from almost going to under to having 13 teams and hundreds of players.

"Sir Alex is always ready to give something back to Govan and Glasgow – maybe, with more time on his hands, he will manage us."

Harmony Row is where Sir Alex began his football career and he has championed the club for many years as its honorary patron.

It was formed in Govan in 1915 to provide football and netball facilities to local children.

As its patron, Sir Alex, and many others, campaigned for 15 years to create new football facilities for the club.

Harmony Row netball coach Angela Kirkpatrick leads one of the most successful sides in Glasgow.

Angela said: "We are a strong competitive side, with one of the largest squads in Glasgow.

"With Sir Alex as our patron he has given a real sporting to legacy to Glasgow."

Over the years Sir Alex has made frequent visits to his old school, Govan High, and even helped it celebrate its centenary.

In 1999, Sir Alex was given the Freedom of Glasgow –the highest honour which can be bestowed on an individual from the local authority.

Lord Provost Sadie Docherty said: "Sir Alex is a Govan and Glasgow legend. That's precisely why he was awarded the Freedom of the City.

"I know all Glaswegians will join with me in wishing him a long, happy and healthy retirement.

"However, I am sure he will remain active in public life. His deserved success and straight talking approach make us all extremely proud."

Leader of Glasgow City Council, Gordon Matheson said Glasgow is proud that Sir Alex is one of our own.

Councillor Matheson said: "He's never forgotten that he comes from Govan. His football achievements are legendary but he's always been willing to give generously of his time and energy to promote the city.

"The council's decision to award the Freedom of the City to Sir Alex in 1999 was universally popular."

First Minister Alex Salmond said Sir Alex will go down in football folklore as one of the all-time greats.

He said: "During a glittering 26-year career at Old Trafford he has won an incredible 38 trophies, including 13 League titles and two Champions League trophies, with this year's Premiership won at a canter.

"But what really marks Sir Alex out as one of the all-time footballing greats were his achievements at Aberdeen.

"To take a north-east club, with comparatively few resources, and have them conquer the might of Real Madrid in a European final is the stuff of footballing legend and a success that confirmed Sir Alex as the latest in a long line of formidable and inspirational Scottish managers."

In the past Sir Alex Ferguson has put his lifetime of success down to the lessons he learned during his days at Govan High School.

Although he credits some of his success to luck, Sir Alex believes his schooldays in the shadow of Govan's shipyards gave him the grounding to do well.

Speaking previously, he said: "I am proud to have been brought up in an area where loyalty, hard work and determination are key assets."

While he might have found his love of the game on the streets of Govan, it was at school he found his true passion for playing.

The former centre forward said: "I loved it. We had a terrific team, which went unbeaten for 1½ years until we lost the Scottish Shield final at Hampden Park to St Pat's, Dumbarton."

When Govan High celebrated its centenary in 2009, Sir Alex took time out of his footballing schedule to visit the school.

Iain White, head teacher at Govan High School, said: "We are very proud to count Sir Alex among our past pupils and he has always been a great supporter of Govan High, of me, our staff and pupils.

"I am absolutely certain that someone of his considerable stature will continue, even in his retirement, to make a huge contribution to the world.

"He is a wonderful role model to everyone he meets and for Govan High pupils he shows them exactly what can be achieved through hard work and dedication to your craft.

"He is a proud Govanite and when he comes to Govan High, he is generous with his time and always makes time to speak with and share his extensive knowledge and advice with our young people – he is a great inspiration to us all."

CALLS were today made for Glasgow to make a lasting tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson.

Long term friend and Glasgow club and leisure tycoon James Mortimer today led calls for the city to erect a statue to the footballing legend.

Mr Mortimer, who owns upmarket private members club 29 at Royal Exchange Square, said: "Sir Alex has already been given the Freedom of Glasgow.

"His roots are here in Glasgow and I would love to see a statue in his honour – why not in George Square as part of the revamp?"

And the idea was backed by Sir Alex's former boys' club.

Agnes Nisbet, chairwoman of Harmony Row Youth Club, said: "You would have no arguments from us if someone wanted to put up a statue. What greater accolade could there be other than a statue in the city."

Mr Mortimer recalled his first meeting with Sir Alex.

"You have to go back about 40 years," Mr Mortimer said.

"I was staring out in the pub business and was running the Waverley Bar in the Gallowgate. That was around the time when Sir Alex was still running the Burns Cottage, in Paisley Road West, now called The Angel.

"We would help each other out in the pub trade, it was just what you did then. However, it led to a friendship through the years."

Mr Mortimer, who also owns Rogano and One Up, said Sir Alex's heart is still in Glasgow.

On Monday he made the seven-hour round trip to Glasgow from Manchester for the Legends match at Ibrox between Rangers and Manchester United.

Mr Mortimer said: "I don't think people realise just how often he is up here.

"Whether it's for football, to support his own charities or other people's it's never too much trouble for him."

While there have been happy times, their friendship grew even stronger following the death of Mr Mortimer's daughter, Donna Ballantyne, who died from skin cancer in 2011.

He said: "When Donna passed away, Sir Alex was on holiday.

"He came over on a private plane from the South of France to attend Donna's funeral – and that really did mean a lot to the family."

Charity is close to Sir Alex's heart. He now supports the Kilbryde Hospice Appeal to build a new centre in South Lanarkshire – a charity which Donna was a director of and raised funds for before she died.

IT wasn't just fans who were shocked by Sir Alex's decision to retire.

It took his younger brother Martin, a scout for Manchester United, by surprise too.

Martin, 70, said: "Alex phoned me on Monday night and told me and that was the first I heard of it. It came right out of the blue.

"Personally I was delighted for him and I think it's time he spent more time with his wife and family.

"He needs that himself. I know everyone in the immediate family is really happy

"He absolutely dotes on his grandchildren and I think having more time with them is something he will appreciate."

During the call, Martin told his brother he thought the announcement came out of sibling rivalry.

Martin, a former Partick Thistle player, joked: "I told him I knew what he was up to, trying to steal my thunder ahead of my own retirement. I told him I had all the press and TV lined up for me making my own announcement but he's gone and spoiled it. He burst out laughing, of course."

Martin said the laugh on the phone was typical of their relationship.

He said: "Alex has a right sense of humour and that's something a lot of people don't quite appreciate.

"People say the press are terrified of him because he can give journalists a roasting in press conferences and that's a part of his personality too.

"I'm his brother and I'm not terrified of him but he doesn't let me away with anything. If I make a mistake I get a row.

"I'll tell you right now if I didn't do a good job for him I'd get the sack because he treats everyone the same.

"Anyone who knows Alex will tell you that. That's what makes him the man he is – and that's why Man United are the club they are."