Sharing a Dugout with Sir Alex and Getting 'Knocked Out' – The Photographer's Tales

Imagine receiving an invitation to take a seat next to Sir Alex Ferguson in the United dugout in the middle of a crucial European match. How would you react?

For photographer the lenswoman, this wasn't a hypothetical on a torrential night in Moscow in 1992. Soaked from the sideways rain, she was presented with an extraordinary decision: a perfect but soggy vantage point or a spot in the stands flanked by Ferguson and his assistant Brian Kidd.

As the pioneering woman photographer to gain top-division accreditation, remarkable situations were all in a day's work. She opted for the dugout.

'Take a Seat Next to Us'

Following a goalless first leg in Manchester, the return fixture in Russia was as unpredictable as the conditions. Haroun describes never seeing rain like it. Her equipment was drenched, and her cameras were likely to fail of failing.

Noticed by Ferguson in the second half, he called out, "You must be a bit wet?" before instructing her to "Sit between Kiddo and myself." She passed the remainder of the match there, though she would have preferred behind the goal for superior shots.

After another 0-0 draw, United lost on penalties. Centre-back Gary Pallister, who failed to convert the final kick, was left sobbing into his shirt. Looking towards the dugout, he presented Haroun with a potential front-page photograph.

With her flash ready, she thought Ferguson would be annoyed. As expected, the manager looked at her and declared, "If you take that picture, I'll never speak to you again!"

'My Gender Made Me a Target'

Regardless of her deep family connections to Manchester United—with relatives having served as directors—Haroun's journey as a woman in a male-dominated field was far from easy.

She struggled to be respected and felt she was often "singled out" by security and police as the "weakest link." The discrimination even led to an incident at a fiery Leeds vs. Manchester United match, where crowd trouble broke out.

"It was me that got arrested because they saw me as the weakest link, I'm a woman," she stated.

Remembering the Wright Way

Being close to the pitch came with physical risks. Haroun was on one occasion "rendered unconscious" by rocks thrown by supporters at an English club match in Turkey.

The hazard wasn't limited to the players themselves. Strikes from stars like Wayne Rooney and Denis Irwin at times left her dazed. After one such incident, Bryan Robson allegedly joked, "If you're going to kill a photographer, Denis, make sure it's not the chairman's cousin!"

Yet, players could also be helpful. Prior to an Arsenal match, she told legend Ian Wright to celebrate her if he scored. He did find the net, but initially ran the wrong way.

To her relief, Wright realised, stopped, turned back, and ran towards her with arms outstretched, allowing for the "perfect picture" she had envisioned.

A Feline Named Carrington

Away from football, Haroun is a dedicated feline enthusiast. Her collection of multiple cats on one occasion grew thanks to an unexpected call from a long-serving staff member at Manchester United's Carrington training ground.

Informed of an abandoned cat, Haroun was reluctant—she was caring for 23 at the time. However, a familiar gruff voice took the phone and ordered her: "You have to take it!"

Following Sir Alex Ferguson's command, she took in the cat and named her Carrington.