'Do me a favour and call the game off': Former ref Gallagher lifts lid on Fergie's cheeky tactics with officials



Dermot Gallagher claims Sir Alex Ferguson asked him to call game off against Middlesbrough in 1997



Former ref says ex-United boss wanted fixture replayed to help with title bid



Former referee Dermot Gallagher has lifted the lid on Sir Alex Ferguson's intimidation tactics.

And, with figures showing 'Fergie Time' has been slashed since the Scot's departure, the official has revealed the pressure referees were under during Manchester United home matches.

Gallagher recalls one particular episode when United were chasing the title in 1997 - which they duly won - and welcomed Middlesbrough to a sodden Old Trafford.

Raging: Sir Alex Ferguson gained a reputation for leaning on referees during his Manchester United reign

Revealing: Dermot Gallgher (left) claims Ferguson (right) asked him to call a game off as a favour



'It was chucking it down with rain and Fergie pulled me aside and said “do me a favour, call the game off’," Gallagher told Sportlobster TV.

'I asked why and he said “there’s nowhere else to fit this game in and the Premier League will have to extend the season. We’ll have a better chance of winning the match and we’ll win the league at Old Trafford”.

'At half time United were losing 3-1 and the pitch was like a swimming pool. As we came off he said “I know we’re 3-1 down but please call it off, we could do with a hand here”.

'They managed to pull it back to 3-3 and in the last minute Dennis Irwin ran into the box and went down in front of the Stretford End and I only gave a goal kick.

'At full-time Fergie sprinted across the pitch and shouted at me furiously. My wife said, “Fergie had a right go at you about that penalty didn’t he”.

Call it off? Ferguson wanted the game to be postponed while United were 3-1 down against Boro in 1997

One up: Juninho (left) puts Middlesbrough in the lead but the North East side were unable to win

'I told her he hadn’t mentioned the penalty. She asked why he came tearing across the pitch at me then. The truth is he ran over and asked me if I was going out to dinner that night. I said “no” and he asked “why are we leaving so early then?”.'

Indeed, Ferguson's ability to squeeze every last second out of officials when his side were losing has since been highlighted.

With United trailing at Old Trafford under their former boss, an average of 79 seconds extra was played in added time.

Retired: But Gallagher has lifted the lid on Ferguson's hairdryer

Fury: Ferguson blasts Mike Dean during a clash with Newcastle on Boxing Day last season

However, this compares to just 40 seconds extra under his successor David Moyes.

Gallagher went on to reveal the anxiety caused by not awarding key decisions to United.

'Years and years ago one of the referees had a heart monitor on during a match at Old Trafford,' he explained.

'They were assessing it and suddenly it jumped and went through the roof. They looked at the DVD and he’d just turned down a penalty in front of the Stretford End. The pressure is immense.'



