From Barcelona to Brazil, Munich to Moscow, Sir Alex Ferguson has seen some of the grandest arenas in football during almost 27 years as Manchester United supremo.

In a glittering Old Trafford CV that features 38 trophies, the name Bradford City warrants barely a footnote.

The sides met four times during the two seasons that the Bantams spent in the Premiership and United won them all – scoring 17 goals without conceding once.

But Valley Parade did make its mark on Britain’s greatest domestic manager, who announced his retirement yesterday – for the outstanding hospitality.

City director Graham Jones recalled a visit from Ferguson to watch a Carling Cup tie in 2010 against Preston, who were then managed by his son Darren.

Jones said: “We had looked after him through the game as we would with any other away director. We didn’t give him any special treatment.

“But when it was over, he came up to me and said: ‘Graham, I’ve visited some of the biggest clubs in the world and I’ve never been treated better anywhere than I have been here tonight’.

“He got to the door, about eight yards away, and turned back and looked me straight in the eye before saying: ‘I won’t forget this’.

“Funnily enough, we got two players on loan from United straight afterwards, so maybe that had helped.”

Oliver Gill and Reece Brown, the two young defenders who arrived on loan, had an up and down time during their brief spell.

And the players who came from United – and vice versa – during Fergie’s reign were a mixed bag.

There is no doubting the quality of City-groomed youngster Tom Cleverley, who has established his place in the United – and England – midfield under Ferguson’s tutelage.

But a move across the Pennines to Old Trafford did not work out for another promising teenager.

Striker Graeme Tomlinson was snapped up by Ferguson in 1994 after playing only 17 games for City, scoring six times.

Sadly the 19-year-old broke his leg soon after and would spend four seasons at Old Trafford without playing once.

City’s most successful former United recruit during the Fergie era was goalkeeper Gary Walsh, who played 145 games during a six-year stint which included promotion to the top flight.

Walsh had signed for £500,000 from Middlesbrough after spending a decade at the start of his career at Old Trafford.

Winger Lee Sharpe was another United old boy who was part of City’s last promotion-winning squad in 1999 after coming in on loan from Leeds. He made the move permanent and was with the club for three years.

Ben Muirhead, another wide man, was picked up by Nicky Law and then re-signed by Colin Todd after being released by Fergie as a youngster. Todd also brought in left back Paul Tierney from United on a half-season loan.