Legally Red

Dubbed the Henry Kissinger of the football world for his diplomatic skills, the man who hired Sir Alex Ferguson recalls his years at Manchester United. Maurice Watkins was involved in every major deal done by the Reds since 1976 until he stepped down from the board, and was eye-witness to many of the triumphs the club enjoyed under Ferguson, and the rise of household names such as David Beckham and Ryan Giggs. From Ronaldo to Beckham to Schmeichel and Cantona, the Red Devil lawyer worked tirelessly with the greatest players and the greatest manager of the 90s and noughties, and was the linchpin that kept the great club together.

Maurice Watkins CBE was one of the world's leading sports lawyers and sports administrators. On the pitch, he was the long-time director and club solicitor of Manchester United. Off the pitch, he was the Senior Partner and Head of Sport at Brabners LLP, the Chair of British Swimming, overseeing Team GB's successes in the Rio de Janeiro (2016) and Tokyo (2020) Olympics, Chair of the British Basketball Federation and a director of Lancashire County Cricket Club. Moving away from sport, Maurice Watkins was the Chair of Governors at his former school, Manchester Grammar, and Chair of the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital charity appeals board where he helped raise over £68 million for the NHS. He was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire in Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday Honours 2011 for services to charity. He died on 16 August 2021 aged 79.

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