IT'S a match which has been forgotten in the annals of football history.

But as a young manager prepared his East Stirlingshire team for their season opener 40 years ago today, a legend was born.

Alex Ferguson would go on to become arguably the greatest-ever boss in the history of the game.

But it all started in front of a crowd of 700 as East Stirlingshire prepared for a League Cup clash away to Forfar Athletic in August 1974.

Bobby McCulley, who played for the Shire that day, told how Fergie – who earned just £40 a week for his first gaffer’s job – hit the ground running, pulling off what would become a managerial masterstroke.

Bobby said: “We were 3-0 down at half-time and it looked as though we were out – but the boss had other ideas.

“We traipsed in at half-time and were expecting both barrels. We knew what he was like and were ready for the worst.

“Everyone was looking down, not wanting to catch his eye. I think I tied my bootlaces six times.

“But instead of ripping into us, he told us we were playing great. He filled us with confidence and a belief that we were not beaten yet.”

Fergie’s team talk worked wonders. The Shire rattled in three goals in six minutes to rescue the game.

In his autobiography,

Bobby said: “We could even have won it as our centre forward Billy Hulston hit the post late on. Fergie had worked his magic in his first game as a manager.”

Dad-of-three Bobby, 61, of Castlemilk, Glasgow, went on to play for Ayr, Falkirk and Stirling Albion before coaching spells with St Mirren and Airdrie.

He has followed the career of his former boss with great interest and said: “It was no surprise to me that he went on to do great things. The man is nothing short of a genius.

“He deserves everything he has achieved – he got where he has through hard work and talent.

“We should have had him running the country – never mind Manchester United.”

Bobby also recalled the players who made up Fergie’s first-ever starting 11, saying: “The team was full of characters.

“Tom Gourlay, the goalkeeper, was a hell of a size and was feart of nothing.

“The full-backs were Jim Stirling, known as Stuckie, and Jim McGregor.

“Sadly, Jim McGregor died a few years later after suffering a brain haemorrhage. It was a real tragedy.

“Tom Donnelly played centre midfield. His son, Simon, went on to play for Celtic and is now assistant manager at Dundee United.

“Gordon Simpson was the captain and the guy no one answered back. He was as hard as nails.

“I remember a game away to Stranraer when the cartilage in his knee popped out. He popped it back in and carried on playing.

“Peter Dunne, the centre half, had a bit of money and turned up at training in a yellow sports car – which Fergie promptly told him to get rid of. I think he saw it as a bit self-indulgent.

“Others in the side included Dave Robertson – a fast and skilful left-sided player – and striker Billy Hulston, who cost Fergie £1000 – half his transfer budget – from Clyde. He was the first sign of Fergie’s eye for a player.

“Jim Mullen was another very fast attacking player and the final member of the team was teacher Ian Browning. It was a good squad of players – we had a great bond.

“It’s quite special for me to have been in Fergie’s first-ever team.

“He wasn’t at East Stirlingshire for very long. He left for St Mirren later that year and then moved to Aberdeen. The rest is history.

“It was clear from the word go that he had something special about him as a manager. His achievements have been absolutely incredible.

“The man is a one-off and I am proud to have played for him.”