On me head son!

LEGENDS: Jack Crompton and Sir Alex. Picture: ANTHONY MILLER

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SIR Alex Ferguson visited Chadderton to pay tribute to another Manchester United legend.

He unveiled the Jack Crompton suite at Kingfisher School yesterday and joked as he cut the the blue and gold ribbon: “Whose colours are they? That’s the Shrewsbury colours!”

Jack (90), who lives in Chadderton, is Manchester United’s oldest living former player and won the FA Cup with Sir Matt Busby’s side in 1948.

He and his wife, Sheila, are supporters of the special school and Sir Alex said: “You have certain duties you want to do, like to do, and at United we have always encouraged kids.

“The development of the youth over the years is well known.

“Jack Crompton is a wonderful old man — I think he is 107 now! Jack was one of the great players back in the 40s then he became a coach. His connection with United is one that goes back many, many years.

“He will be proud he has got this suite for the development of your children and I wish it all the luck.

“I was looking at some of the art work round here. It’s wonderful. It just shows if you give a kid a chance, what they can do.”

Sir Alex was given a painting by pupils — and quipped that this time the colours were right, United’s red, white and black.

He also handed over a £1,000 cheque to the school from Jack on behalf of the Manchester United Former Players’ Association.

The United manager chatted with pupils and staff, smiling and laughing as he signed autographs and posed for photographs before being shown round the school.

The Jack Crompton suite was created in a £2.5 million refurbishment and rebuild and consists of a meeting room and a family and community room.

Asked about his support for Kingfisher, former goalkeeper Jack said: “I feel as if enough can’t be done for them. It’s a fantastic school.”

Headteacher Anne Redmond added: “We are so excited to have Sir Alex in school and Jack and Sheila.

“Our children achieve so much against so many odds. That’s down to the sheer hard work and dedication of so many people, staff, parents governors, and a lot of it comes down to our supporters.

“Jack and Sheila have supported Kingfisher for a few years and they never think of themselves, they think of everybody else. I can’t thank them enough for their friendship, loyalty and support.”