Sir Alex Ferguson is lending his support to a campaign to have legendary community campaigner Mary Barbour recognised with a statute in Glasgow.

The former Manchester United manager has already pledged £5,000 towards the cost of a memorial.

Mary, who like Sir Alex came from Govan, led the Glasgow rent strikes of 1915, which forced a change in the law to curtail profiteering slum landlords.

She is widely regarded as one of the most important social reformers of the last century.

Sir Alex said: “I take great pride in coming from Govan. It’s a place where I grew up learning the value of hard graft, resolve and resilience.

“Mary Barbour is also from Govan and possessed all these attributes. She successfully mobilised people from far and wide to take direct action against social injustice and changed the law of the land.

“A formidable firebrand, she was courageous and compassionate in equal measure. I’m delighted at this opportunity to pay my respects to Mary Barbour with my £5,000 donation to the Remember Mary Barbour Fund.”

The mobilisation of ‘Barbour’s Army’ saw thousands of women march alongside shipyard and engineering workers to protest at the prosecution in Glasgow’s small debt court of 18 tenants for non-payment of a rent increase.

The campaign attracted ministerial intervention, the cases were dismissed and the Rent Restriction Act was enacted, heralding a change in Glasgow’s housing system.

Barbour went on to maintain her vision and determination to deliver better policies for women and children across the city.

Public donations to the Remember Mary Barbour fund can be made here or text 70070 with “RMBA15 £amount” – amount can be £1, £5 or £10.