Sharing a Dugout with Sir Alex and Being 'Knocked Out' – A Lenswoman's Stories

Picture being invited to sit beside Sir Alex Ferguson in the United dugout in the middle of a crucial European match. How would you react?

To photographer the lenswoman, this became a reality on a storm-lashed night in Moscow in 1992. Soaked from the horizontal rain, she was presented with an extraordinary decision: an ideal yet wet shooting position or a spot in the stands flanked by Ferguson and his right-hand man Brian Kidd.

As the first female photographer to gain Premier League accreditation, remarkable situations were par for the course. She chose the dugout.

'Come and Sit Between Kiddo and Me'

After a scoreless first leg in Manchester, the second match in Russia was as unpredictable as the weather. Haroun describes never seeing rain that severe. Her equipment was soaking, and her cameras were likely to fail of failing.

Spotted by Ferguson in the second half, he asked, "Are you a bit wet?" before instructing her to "Sit between Kiddo and myself." She spent the remainder of the match there, even if she would have preferred behind the goal for superior shots.

After a second 0-0 draw, United lost on penalties. Centre-back Gary Pallister, who missed the final kick, was seen crying into his shirt. Looking towards the dugout, he presented Haroun with a perfect back-page image.

Preparing her flash, she thought Ferguson would be furious. As expected, the manager looked at her and declared, "Do that, I'll never speak to you again!"

'I Was Picked On Because I'm a Woman'

Despite her long-standing family ties to Manchester United—with relatives having served as chairmen—Haroun's path as a woman in a overwhelmingly male field was not always easy.

She found it tough to be taken seriously and felt she was frequently "singled out" by security and police as the "easiest target." This even led to an incident at a fiery Leeds vs. Manchester United match, where crowd trouble broke out.

"I was the one that got arrested because I'm the weakest link, I'm a woman," she stated.

Remembering the Wright Way

Being close to the action came with physical risks. Haroun was once "knocked out" by missiles thrown by supporters at an Aston Villa match in Turkey.

The hazard also came from the players themselves. Strikes from legends like Wayne Rooney and Denis Irwin also left her dazed. After one such incident, Bryan Robson allegedly joked, "Pick a different target, Denis, make sure it's not the chairman's cousin!"

However, players could also be helpful. Before an Arsenal match, she told iconic striker Ian Wright to celebrate her if he scored. He scored, but at first ran the opposite way.

To her relief, Wright remembered, halted, turned back, and ran towards her with arms outstretched, allowing for the "ideal picture" she had hoped for.

A Cat Named Carrington

Away from football, Haroun is a dedicated feline enthusiast. Her collection of seven cats on one occasion grew thanks to an surprise call from the receptionist at Manchester United's Carrington training ground.

Told of an abandoned cat, Haroun was reluctant—she was caring for 23 at the time. But, a familiar gruff voice came on the line and instructed her: "You have to take it!"

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