TREBLE winning soccer manager Alex Ferguson will be officially Sir Alex from next Tuesday (July 20) when he is knighted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

But he was happy to be plain Citizen Fergie earlier this week in recognition of the Citizen's exclusive front page story that he was attending a dinner in Blackpool instead of flying out to Australia with his Manchester United stars.

The Citizen broke the story that the European Cup conqueror had been grounded by an ear infection.

Australia's loss was the Fylde's gain - for Fergie was able to honour a promise to speak at a £50-a-head dinner at the Norbreck Castle Hotel in aid of funds for Fleetwood Freeport football club.

The dinner was organised by club president Brian Cartmell who is a long-time friend of the United manager.

Sir Alex was in good form, laughing and joking with Citizen managing editor Bob Gray (pictured) as he posed with a copy of last week's Citizen which announced on page one "Ear, ear, Fergie's here!".

Bob told Alex how Citizen sub-editor Peter Roylance, an avid United fan, had missed the famous last minute victory in the European Cup final because he had switched off his TV and gone to bed, unable to bear it as United trailed 1-O.

But Alex topped that with a story of his own about two friends relaxing in their Mediterranean villa.

They saw the equaliser, but missed the winner when one went out for a smoke in anticipation of extra time and the other went down to the cellar for a bottle of champagne.

Alex also spent some time chatting to Fleetwood's manager Brian Wilson, who won five trophies last season.

There was laughter all round when, during an autograph session, he was told he had just signed for Fleetwood Freeport.

But Alex has a few more European Cups to win - and then he wants to retire, he says.

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