Thousands of Sporting fans said goodbye to Manuel Fernandes on Saturday, considering the decision to hold his funeral at the Estadio José Alvalade a “just tribute” for his services to the club and Portuguese football.
“My family – my mother, my father and my grandmother – are all from the time of Manuel Fernandes, and obviously, given what he was for Sporting and for national football, this tribute is very appropriate from Sporting,” stressed José Viana, a young Sporting fan, speaking to Lusa.
At an older age, Lino Policarpo watched many of Manuel Fernandes’ matches and moments of glory and remembered the dedication he always showed towards Sporting, where he excelled.
“He never betrayed the club, he was a player who was always on Sporting’s side and always wanted Sporting to be there. He had his ups and downs like everyone else, but he did what he liked, which was playing for Sporting,” he noted, a supporter of the “green and white” emblem.
The importance of Manuel Fernandes reached all ages, regardless of gender, and fan Clara Rocha recalled with nostalgia the “poker” scored in the 7-1 defeat to Benfica in the 1986/1987 season, one of the golden moments of the championship. Sports career of a former striker.
“He scored four goals and Sporting beat Benfica, our rivals, and since then I think he has become an outstanding player and person. I admire him a lot, and so today I felt obliged to come here and pay tribute. With respect, my last tribute,” explained the Sporting fan.
A striker for Sporting from 1975/76 to 1986/87, with 255 goals in 433 games and five victories – two league titles, two Portuguese Cups and a Super Cup – the former striker and coach died on Thursday at the age of 73 after a long illness.
For the main team, the player, who scored a poker in Sporting’s 7-1 defeat by Benfica in the 1986/87 season, played 30 games and scored seven goals, and also represented Sarilense, CUF and Vitoria de Setubal at club level.
After finishing his playing career, Manuel Fernandes remained involved with football as a coach, managing Vitoria de Setúbal, Estrela da Amadora, Ovarense, Sporting, Campomaiorense, Tirsense, Santa Clara, Penafiel and União de Leiria, and in between coaching in Angola, at ASA.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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