My journey to playing for Manchester United: Quinton Fortune at TEDxSalford

Quinton Fortune is a South African footballer who has represented a number of European clubs including Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Bolton Wanderers. In 1991, at the end of the Apartheid, Fortune, only 14 was able to leave South Africa and moved to England where he played for the Tottenham Hotspur junior team. After having trouble obtaining a work permit, Fortune moved to Spain, where he played for Atlético Madrid. Manchester United purchased him from Atlético Madrid and he made his first appearance for the club on 30 August 1999, against Newcastle United. Fortune proved himself a capable and dedicated performer in a number of positions, he was known as 'Mister Versatile.' It was Fortune's strength as a defender, rather than his qualities as an attacker, that Sir Alex Ferguson depended most on, and Fortune was often deployed as a central midfielder or as a left-back. Fortune also represented his country in 2 World Cups- France 98 and Japan-Korea 2002.

As of 2012, Fortune has returned to Manchester United. He trains with their reserve team whilst working on his coaching badges, which he aims to complete in 2014 Fortune has worked as a UNICEF ambassador at many occasions while playing at Manchester United. More recently he has also been actively involved in the campaign One Goal for education in South Africa. This campaign ran through the 2010 FIFA World Cup to promote education for all. He travels extensively across the world as a Man Utd Legend/Ambassador for their partner events and programs. He also works with TV Channels like Sky Sports, ITV, and MUTV as a match day pundit.

CREDITS:

Curators: Mishal Saeed & Uzair F. Butt
Technical Lead: Mark Earnshaw
Camerawork: Nathan Rae & Team -
Post production: Elliott Wragg -
Audio restoration: Jorge Polvorinos -