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Harriet Heywood
BBC News, Peterborough
Emma Baugh/BBC
Michael Ferguson said while his children “don’t mind having a pop back at me”, he reminded them “I’m not dad, I’m your boss, you’ve got to do what I say”
The name Ferguson has long been synonymous with Peterborough United.
Manager Darren first took on the role in 2007 and is now in his fourth spell in charge of the League One club – but another family of Fergusons has an association with the club stretching back even further.
When 16-year-old Oscar checked tickets on the turnstiles for the goalless draw against Leyton Orient earlier this month he became the third generation of his family to do so.
His grandad Michael, 65, started out in 1992 and, at various points over the years, has been joined by all five of his sons and two of his daughters-in-law.
“It’s become a bit of a family affair,” he said.
‘Different world now’
Emma Baugh/BBC
The old-fashioned turnstiles at Peterborough are still manned today
Michael became a fan of the club after moving from Portsmouth aged eight.
He regularly took his sons to watch Posh, but with their move up the divisions came an increase in ticket prices.
He took a position as a steward, hoping he could have a free ticket and use his earnings to pay for the rest of the family, but the club had other ideas.
“My trade is as an accountant. When they found out, I was promoted almost in minutes to managing the turnstiles and handling the cash,” he said.
Emma Baugh/BBC
Michael Ferguson said it was “more or less a different world” to when he first took up the position of chief turnstile operator
His “grand role of chief turnstile operator” meant taking charge of the cash collected from the gates.
Many of those who handled the money were bank tellers, bank managers or shop workers.
“As time progressed, we got to the stage where more and more were getting tickets in advance for quicker entry,” he said.
“Then as the internet got stronger, we started to move on to print-at-home tickets… now we have smartphones and are completely cashless.
“It has made it so much easier. It is more or less a different world now.”
Emma Baugh/BBC
The prospect of three generations working at the Weston Homes Stadium was something Michael had joked about – but also hoped to see through
Despite the advancements in technology, the turnstile operation itself, however, has largely remained the same.
“People still come in the old fashioned way. They show a ticket, it is scanned and you press your foot down on a pedal to let them in,” said Michael.
“Some new ones don’t have a real person and that is our unique selling point… [without it] you lose that personal touch.”
‘Uncle Alex Ferguson’
Michael has been unable to resist telling a little white lie over the years that he is related to Darren and his famous father, Sir Alex of Manchester United fame.
However, the joke backfired when he came face-to-face with Sir Alex at a friendly match.
“I never thought it would catch me out,” said Michael, who had even told his sons and friends he was related to the famous footballing family.
Getty Images
Darren Ferguson’s Peterborough United played against his father’s Manchester United team in a friendly at the then London Road stadium in August 2007
“In those days I also worked in the tunnels and I would pay the referee.
“He [Sir Alex] was there – I showed him my name badge and told him I had a problem, because for years I have told people you are my uncle.
“I have no idea what his reply was, but he was due to meet some of the fans and he came and met my sons. That was a good day.”
Emma Baugh/BBC
Michael explained it was important to make sure operators were comfortable in the small spaces
Michael’s son Ollie, 38, who has clocked up 23 seasons working with his dad, said home fans were often welcoming at the turnstiles, but the trickier away fans could also be fun.
Michael added: “We’re always looking for turnstile staff, so it became one of those things… it has always been part of our lives and really good fun.”
Emma Baugh/BBC
Peterborough United have had Fergusons at the club – in one way or another – since the 1990s
Praising the turnstile family, head of ticketing and systems at Peterborough United, Chris Brewer, said: “They embody the club’s ethos of being a family-run football club and it’s a prime example that it’s a generational sport.”
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