No silverware today please, just gold top: The Sir Alex Ferguson lookalike milkman who is the toast of all Spain - Sport - Evening Standard
       

No silverware today please, just gold top: The Sir Alex Ferguson lookalike milkman who is the toast of all Spain

When he's not winning Premier League titles, Sir Alex Ferguson assumes his alter ego - the milkman.

Or so they believe in the Valleys.

When people spot father of two Allan Mullins, they do double takes, ask for autographs, snap away with cameras, plead to have their pictures taken with him and surprise him with drinks – mistaking him for Manchester United's famous manager.

And to make it worse - Allan's a staunch Tottenham fan!

The Premier League club by club

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Double take: Allan Mullins (right) keeps getting mistaken for Sir Alex Ferguson (left)

"It tends to happen more when I'm abroad on holiday," said grandad Allan, 58, of Merthyr Tydfil.

"Perhaps people just see Alex Ferguson briefly on TV and then mistake me for him.

"They often come on to me and ask 'Can we have a photo taken with you?'.

"The first few times it was a little bit embarrassing but as it has gone on, I've come to accept it.

"And it's quite hilarious at times, we've had some good laughs."

But for some people there's no convincing them otherwise – even a Scotsman failed to be persuaded that Allan wasn't the famous Scottish soccer boss.

Allan recalled: "In Tenerife two years ago, there was this Scots guy. He came to talk to me three or four times.

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I do have a red top but I'm not Sir Alex Ferguson - honest: Allan Mullins is just a milkman not a knight of the realm

"The first time, he said he'd supported me when I played for Rangers and that I was one of his favourites. Well, Castle Rangers in Merthyr maybe!

"On the Tuesday we were due to leave, he said: 'Where are you off today then?'

"I told him we were going home and straight away he said: 'Oh, of course, you're playing in Europe on Thursday'.

"Every time he spoke to me nothing could convince him I wasn't Alex Ferguson."

And wife Monica has grown used to her hubby being mistaken for Fergie wherever they go.

"Every time we go away it happens. It's been the same in Tenerife, Benidorm and Majorca this year," Monica told the South Wales Echo.

"Allan does look a bit like Alex Ferguson in photos we have and especially when he's got his glasses on."

Allan added: "I get people in Merthyr ribbing me lightheartedly and calling me Sir Alex.

"But abroad is the place – I get mistaken for Fergie on practically every holiday."

Allan says his children Nicola, 33, and Anthony, 36, have a good laugh and their dad's lookalike antics.

"Nicola tells me: 'Dad, you want to pack in being a milkman and work as a Fergie lookalike?'"

Allan and Sir Alex share a working class background, passion for football, work ethic and dedication.

At 16, Allan was on Coventry City's books for a season, returned to play for Merthyr Town before signing for Plymouth Argyle.

After six seasons, he was back with the Martyrs, then played for Brecon Corries before becoming their manager.

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