Farewell O’Farrell

Irish football lost a true icon at the weekend when Leeside legend Frank O’Farrell died at the age of 94.

The only Irishman to have ever managed Manchester United, O’Farrell stepped into the Old Trafford hotseat in 1971 replacing the beloved Sir Matt Busby before going on to manage a string of teams including Cardiff City and the Iranian national team.

O’Farrell grew up near Turner’s Cross and began his playing career at Cork United before crossing the channel and signing for West Ham.

The wing-half went on to play for Cardiff City and Weymouth before hanging up his boots and turning his attention to management.

He also made nine appearances for the Republic of Ireland national team, scoring two goals.

Described as a man of “unimpeachable integrity”, O’Farrell’s 18 months at the Man U helm came with a fair amount of ups and downs.

An article on the official Manchester United website read: “At the time of his exit shortly before Christmas 1972, the dignified, softly spoken Irishman’s Old Trafford sojourn could be described as a tale of two vividly contrasting autumns.”

When O’Farrell first took over from Busby, who had returned as caretaker manager, he managed to guide United to a five point lead in the league. This lead, however, was eventually lost to Derby County who went on to take the title in 1972.

During the following season, and after a series of injuries and poor results compounded by a thrashing at the hands of Crystal Palace, O’Farrell’s time as Manchester United manager came to an end, replaced by Scotsman Tommy Docherty.

Upon his departure from Old Trafford, O’Farrell said he wished he’d had more time to implement his ideas and style of football at the club.

After a year long spell at Cardiff City, O’Farrell made the surprising switch to the Iranian national team who he led to Asian Games success in 1974, which played an important role in the nation’s qualification for the 1978 World Cup.

After his time in Iran, O’Farrell went on to manage Torquay United in 1976 and Al-Shaab in 1980 before returning to Torquay United in 1981.

He retired from management in 1982 having won the Southern League, the Fourth Division and the Second Division in England, the Welsh Cup in Wales, and the Asian Games and AFC Asian Cup during his time in Iran.

In 1993, he worked as a scout for Everton and Bolton Wanderers before running a nursing home in Devon with his wife, Ann.

O'Farrell died on 6 March at the age of 94 and was the oldest living former West Ham United player prior to his death.