1949: Born May 29th, Collyhurst, Manchester.

1963: Signs schoolboy forms with United.

1966: Turns professional at Old Trafford.

1974: Leaves Old Trafford to join Arsenal after making 264 appearances for United and scoring 70 goals.

1976: Moves from Highbury to join Manchester City in July.

1979: Leaves Maine Road to sign for Everton in March.

1980: Joins Bolton and then goes to the US for four years.

1984: Returns to England to become manager of Barrow.

1985: Appointed Lou Macari's assistant at Swindon before he becomes number two at Preston.

1986: Manages Preston from January to March.

1988: Returns to United as junior coach and director of the school of excellence.

1991: Steps up to become Alex Ferguson's assistant.

1995: United refuse Manchester City permission to speak to him about their vacant manager's job.

1998: United rebuff Everton's attempts to lure him back to Goodison and he is rewarded with a new four-year contract.

Appointed manager of Blackburn after Roy Hodgson departs.

1999: Contract at Ewood Park terminated.