The most successful manager in English football history has officially opened a wing at the Island’s new Hospice in Braddan.

Manchester United supremo Sir Alex Ferguson made a whirlwind trip to the Island yesterday (Monday) to open the Professor Sir Roland Smith wing, named after the former United chairman who lived here until his death four years ago.

His wife, Lady Joan Smith, has donated more than a million pounds towards the Hospice building costs, and also paid for and personally chosen the furnishings for the four-bedroom adult in-patient wing.

Sir Alex said when the call came, he was more happy to accept the invitation: