Masters snooker pundit told Sir Alex Ferguson 'go f*** yourself' in awkward phone call
It's not everyday Sir Alex Ferguson calls you out of the blue, but one star of the green baize thought it was a wind up.
Ken Doherty couldn't believe it the day he got a personal phone call from Sir Alex Ferguson, so much so that he told the shocked Manchester United great to "go f*** yourself" before realising that the call was actually genuine.
Irishman Doherty was a huge Red Devils fan but an even better snooker player in his prime. His career-defining moment arrived in 1997 when he defied the odds to beat Stephen Hendry in the World Championship final.
Up to this point, Hendry had never lost a final at the Crucible in Sheffield but his opponent had other ideas and after pulling off a remarkable 18-12 victory it was Doherty who left South Yorkshire with the world championship.
Much to his surprise, Doherty soon received a congratulatory phone call from legendary Manchester United manager Ferguson, during which the firey Scot invited the new world champion to Old Trafford to show off his silverware.
But such was the snooker star's surprise at receiving the call, he was convinced that it was a prank call.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Doherty recalled: "The voice at the other end went, 'Kenny, Alex Ferguson here, I know you are a big Manchester United fan, how about parading that trophy up at Old Trafford?' and I told him to go f*** himself!
"I thought it was my mate joking! He goes, 'Kenny, I'm not going to ask you twice, it's Alex Ferguson' and I said, 'Sorry Mr Ferguson'."
After the blushing Irishman accepted the offer, he was able to enjoy a day to remember at Old Trafford, parading the world championship on the pitch that same day that his beloved Red Devils were presented with the Premier League title.
"I went up the day they were picking up the Premiership trophy against West Ham," Doherty continued. "It was incredible. The roar I got walking out at Old Trafford was one of the most memorable days of my life."
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But while United would go on to enjoy many more years of glory, Doherty could never again top his world championship triumph in 1997. He reached two more world finals in 1998 and 2001 but was beaten by John Higgins and Mark Williams respectively.
Despite now being 52 and enjoying a punditry role on TV, he is still an active player but now has to rely on wildcard invitations.
He was twice runner-up at the Masters championship which is currently being contested at London's Alexandra Palace.