EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick showed his soft side last year to step in and help a Brighton-based non-league side from extinction, having played 11 times for them in 1980
Video Unavailable
Michael Carrick Refutes Suggestion Ralf Rangnick Picked Man Utd Team At Chelsea
New Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick is famed for his hard, tactical approach to football, but he showed his softer side in the heat of the pandemic last year.
The Red Devils parted ways with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last Sunday following a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Watford.
With the squad that the Norwegian had at his disposal, United should have been competing for silverware this season, but instead, they find themselves battling it out for a spot in the top seven.
The appointment of Rangnick should spark some life back into the Old Trafford outfit, but this isn’t the first time that the 63-year-old has embarked on a rescue mission.
Last year, Rangnick donated £1000 to Southwick F.C, a non-league club just five miles from Brighton, who he played for when he was 21 whilst living in England.
The money was donated to attempt to save the club after they announced that they were made homeless during the heart of the coronavirus pandemic and at risk of not being able to make ends meet.
Mirror Football spoke exclusively to John Baine, media officer at the club, who sought after the donation from the former RB Leipzig boss.
Baine emailed Rangnick to inform him of the fundraising he was undertaking after being reminded by a friend of how the now-United boss made 11 appearances for Southwick, nicknamed the Wickers, during his one year of studies at the University of Sussex.
“A mate of mine said to me ‘Well, Ralf Rangnick used to play for Southwick, why don’t you email and see if he’ll remember us and see if he’ll support?’” Baine explained.
“I said: ‘We’ve had to reform the club, the grounds been closed, we’re currently playing in the local park and we’re looking to regenerate the club that has existed since 1882 and he came up with a donation just like that.
“His assistant sent a lovely email back saying: ‘Of course Ralf remembers his time at Southwick, he wishes you all the best and here is a £1000 donation.’
“It shows that the guy obviously has a good heart and a love and understanding of grassroots football.”
Have Your Say! Will Rangnick be able to turn things around United? Comment below
(
Image:
@SFC_TheWickers / Twitter)
The money provided Southwick with the opportunity to continue playing football at a local recreational ground and paying referees having been dropped two divisions after the council were handed back their lease for Old Barn Way, their stadium.
Rangnick wrote a touching note on the club’s JustGiving page to go alongside his four-figure donation, saying: “Dear Wickers supporters, having played for the Wickers in 1980, it was a great experience for me as a young student and as a player. This is why I would love to support your campaign and very much hope that the club can return to the Old Barn Way ground in due course. Up the Wickers! Ralf”.
Southwick are now ground-sharing with local side Whitehawk after their promotion last season, finishing the campaign with a 100% record thanks to the loyalty of their players who chose not to jump ship despite the club’s monetary woes inflicted by the pandemic.
Read More
Read More
