Frank O'Farrell
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Francis O'Farrell | ||
Date of birth | 9 October 1927 | ||
Place of birth | Blackpool, Cork, Ireland | ||
Date of death | 6 March 2022 | (aged 94)||
Position(s) |
Wing half | ||
Youth career | |||
Nicholas Rovers | |||
Clapton Celtic | |||
Western Rovers | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1947–1948 |
Cork United | ? | (?) |
1948–1956 | West Ham United | 197 | (6) |
1956–1961 | Preston North End | 118 | (3) |
1961 | Weymouth | ? | (?) |
International career | |||
1952–1959 | Republic of Ireland | 9 | (2) |
Managerial career | |||
1961–1965 | Weymouth | ||
1965–1968 | Torquay United | ||
1968–1971 | Leicester City | ||
1971–1972 | Manchester United | ||
1973–1974 | Cardiff City | ||
1974–1976 | Iran | ||
1976–1977 | Torquay United | ||
1980 | Al-Shaab | ||
1981–1982 | Torquay United | ||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Francis O'Farrell (9 October 1927 – 6 March 2022) was an Irish
Early life
Born in Lower Dublin Hill in
Club career
A
In November 1956, O'Farrell left for Preston North End in a straight swap deal involving Eddie Lewis. Replacing Ray Evans in the team, he scored on his home debut, a 20-yard strike against Manchester City. Playing alongside Tom Finney, he played 17 league matches before his first loss with the club. He would then miss over a month of football after treatment for a nosebleed which caused him to lose around four pints of blood (he experienced a recurrence of the problem in the following season).[15][16] His first season with Preston brought a third-place finish and he was still with the Lancashire club when they finished runners-up to Wolverhampton Wanderers in Division One at the end of the 1957–58 season.[17][18] In the same season O'Farrell's former teammates at West Ham finished as Second Division champions, securing their promotion to the First Division, which he had strived to help achieve.[19] In all, O'Farrell made 129 appearances for Preston, scoring four goals.[15]
He retired from professional football in 1961, close to 34 years of age, after a second operation to remove cartilage.[20][21]
International career
O'Farrell won the first of nine full international caps for
Managerial career
Weymouth and Torquay United
On 20 June 1961, O'Farrell became
In May 1965, he became manager of Torquay United, replacing Eric Webber. He took the Gulls to promotion in his first season in charge and followed this with seventh- and fourth-place finishes in the Third Division in the following two seasons.[28] While Torquay manager he returned to West Ham to sign a number of players, including John Bond, Ken Brown and Bill Kitchener.[29]
Leicester City
In December 1968, O'Farrell took over
Manchester United
On 1 July 1971, he took over at
O'Farrell's tenure started well, with Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best playing well and the club, 10 points clear at one stage, losing just one of their first 14 league games.[37] O'Farrell was named Manager of the Month for September and the club topped the table for the first time in three years in October.[38] After being top of the league at Christmas, Best failed to attend training throughout January and United scored only three goals in their first eight games of the year, losing the first seven.[26][39] O'Farrell's impersonal approach, whereby every player had to schedule an appointment to see him, did not help morale.[40] O'Farrell signed Martin Buchan for a club-record fee of £125,000,[41] as well as Ian Storey-Moore, who scored in all of United's five league wins in the second half of the season.[39] Once again, United ended the season in eighth place.[37][42]
Further problems with Best led to a two-week suspension for the player and he continued to miss training sessions during the
Cardiff and Iran
He became manager of
Returns to Torquay, and Al-Shaab
On 29 November 1976, O'Farrell returned to Torquay United as manager, replacing Malcolm Musgrove.[56] He remained with the club as consultant manager when Mike Green was appointed player-manager in March 1977.[28] In 1980, he joined United Arab Emirati club Al-Shaab.[31] He became Torquay manager again when Green left the club in May 1981, but once again relinquished the position the following year, this time in July 1982 on the appointment of Bruce Rioch.[28] He worked as general manager until his retirement in 1983, aged 55.[42]
Personal life
After his retirement, O'Farrell continued to live in Torquay. In 1993, he worked as a scout for Everton and Bolton Wanderers.[11] In later life, he ran a nursing home in Devon with his wife, Ann. He had been active in church affairs and presided over the local Conference of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.[51] In 2011, his autobiography All Change at Old Trafford was published.[34] In 2018 he lived in Devon, and cared for his wife.[6]
O'Farrell died on 6 March 2022, at the age of 94.[57] At the time of his death he was the oldest living former West Ham United player.[58]
Career statistics
National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
Republic of Ireland | 1952 | 1 | 0 |
1953 | 2 | 2 | |
1955 | 3 | 0 | |
1956 | 1 | 0 | |
1957 | 1 | 0 | |
1959 | 1 | 0 | |
Total | 9 | 2 |
- Scores and results list Republic of Ireland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each O'Farrell goal.
No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 25 March 1953 | Dalymount Park, Dublin, Ireland | Austria | 4–0 | 4–0 | Friendly | [23] |
2 | 4 October 1953 | Dalymount Park, Dublin, Ireland | France | 3–5 | 3–5 | 1954 FIFA World Cup qualification | [24] |
Managerial statistics
Team | From | To | Record | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G | W | L | D | Win % | |||
Torquay United | 1 May 1965 | 31 December 1968 | 162 | 76 | 52 | 34 | 46.91 |
Leicester City | 1 December 1968 | 30 June 1971 | 114 | 51 | 28 | 35 | 44.74 |
Manchester United | 1 July 1971 | 19 December 1972 | 81 | 30 | 27 | 24 | 37.04 |
Cardiff City | 13 November 1973 | 30 April 1974 | 27 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 29.63 |
Iran | September 1974 | September 1975 | 15 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 66.67 |
Torquay United | 28 November 1976 | 1 March 1977 | 13 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 30.77 |
Al-Shaab | 1980 | 1980 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 60 |
Torquay United | 1 June 1981 | 30 June 1982 | 46 | 14 | 19 | 13 | 30.43 |
Honours
Manager
Weymouth
Torquay United
Leicester City
Cardiff City
Iran
- Asia Games: 1974[64]
References
- ^ a b O'Donovan, Diarmuid (30 June 2012). "Frank O'Farrell: The interview". dodonovan.com. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ Conlon, Tommy (17 March 2002). "A melting pot of codes, a factory for local heroes". Independent.ie. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ "Coláiste Chríost Rí". corkpastandpresent.ie. Cork City Council. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ "Johnny Vaughan". Sunday Independent. Ireland. 19 May 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2018 – via PressReader.
- ISBN 978-1-85635-666-4.
- ^ a b c "Oldest-living Hammer O'Farrell still steaming along". West Ham United F.C. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
- ^ a b Cormican, Eoghan (3 July 2013). "O'Farrell recalls his days as a happy Hammer". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ "Frank O'Farrell". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ "Soccer Star-tistic". Liverpool Echo. 4 March 1961. p. 3. Retrieved 27 November 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ISBN 978-1-78590-385-4.
- ^ ISBN 1-903135-50-8.
- ^ a b "Frank O'Farrell". westhamstats.info. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ Hillier, Roger. "Cassettaris Cafe". theyflysohigh.co.uk. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ISBN 978-1-78057-417-2.
- ^ a b c d Rigby, Ian. "Frank O'Farrell". Preston North End Former Players Association. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
- ^ "Everton Unchanged for Game Against Preston". Liverpool Echo. 6 March 1958. Retrieved 27 November 2018 – via bluecorrespondent.co.uk.
- ^ a b Thomas, David (18 February 2014). "Frank O'Farrell: It was a privilege to have played with Sir Tom Finney". Torquay Herald Express. Archived from the original on 27 April 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
- ^ "Preston North End 1957-1958". statto.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
- ^ "DIVISION 2 1957/58". footballsite.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 May 2003. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
- ^ a b c "Former Man Utd. Boss Frank O'Farrell Subject of New Doc". The Irish Film & Television Network. 30 March 2011. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ Henderson, Jon (9 October 2018). "Former Old Trafford boss speaks frankly about his long footballing life". Biteback Publishing. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ "Frank O'Farrell". 11v11.com. Association of Football Statisticians. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
- ^ a b "Republic of Ireland v Austria, 25 March 1953". 11v11.com. Association of Football Statisticians. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
- ^ a b "Republic of Ireland v France, 04 October 1953". 11v11.com. Association of Football Statisticians. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
- ^ "Czechoslovakia v Republic of Ireland, 10 May 1959". 11v11.com. Association of Football Statisticians. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
- ^ a b c Summers, Adam (9 November 2011). "Frank O'Farrell's career was a fairytale". Dorset Echo. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ Biddlecombe, Nigel. "History - Terras' Timeline". Weymouth F.C. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ a b c d "The History Of Torquay United". Torquay United F.C. Archived from the original on 27 December 2009.
- ^ Hillier, Roger. "Ken Brown Testimonial". theyflysohigh.co.uk. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
Plus during his two seasons at Plainmoor [Brown] played alongside a few other ex-Hammers. The old boys included John Bond, Bob Glozier, David James, Bill Kitchener, Stuart Morgan, Tony Scott and John Smith. All signed by Torquay's manager, another Ex-Hammer, Frank O'Farrell.
- ^ Adams, Tom (12 May 2011). "The success before the banner". ESPN. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ a b c d "The Managers: Frank O'Farrell, 1968-1971". Leicester City F.C. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ "O'Farrell is new boss at Manchester". Newcastle Journal. 9 June 1971. p. 18. Retrieved 27 November 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Now Leicester Move Quickly for New Manager". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 9 June 1971. p. 30. Retrieved 27 November 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
Last night's United statement said that O'Farrell would take up his new post on July 1, the day after his present contract with Leicester expires.
- ^ a b c "Former Reds boss Frank O'Farrell talks about taking over from the great Sir Matt Busby". Manchester Evening News. 12 October 2011. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ "1969/70". StretfordEnd.co.uk. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ "1970/71". StretfordEnd.co.uk. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ a b "1971/72". StretfordEnd.co.uk. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ISBN 978-1-4472-3484-5.
- ^ a b c O'Callaghan, Eoin (20 October 2017). "George Best's chaos, his Cork boss and a club in crisis: when United last faced Huddersfield". The42. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ Lee, Sam (27 March 2014). "Mythbuster: Manchester United are not a sacking club". Goal. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ "Man Utd History by Decade: 1970 to 1979". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
Although O'Farrell's tenure was short, he still left his mark by signing Martin Buchan for a record fee of £125,000. The former Aberdeen captain was to become a key player for O'Farrell's successor, Tommy Docherty...
- ^ a b O'Callaghan, Eoin (17 April 2017). "'Vindictive, punitive, nasty': Moyes, Man United and the dark shadow of Frank O'Farrell". The42. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ "Davies will add height". Belfast Telegraph. 15 September 1972. p. 22. Retrieved 27 November 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "United Splash for MacDougall". Belfast Telegraph. 27 September 1972. p. 22. Retrieved 27 November 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ISBN 978-1-78531-258-8.
- ^ "George Best must go - Manchester United". The Guardian. 6 December 2012 [6 December 1972]. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ Law, Gordon (21 February 2014). "Crystal Palace can look to 1990 for inspiration ahead of Manchester United clash". Metro.co.uk. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
- ^ "Crystal Palace v Manchester United, 16 December 1972". 11v11.com. Association of Football Statisticians. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
- ^ Collett, Mike (22 April 2014). "Moyes sacking evokes memories of botched end to Busby era". Reuters. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
- ^ Wilson, Richard (30 May 2014). "Tommy Docherty still regrets leaving Scotland for Man Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ a b "Where are they now? No 19: Frank O'Farrell". The Irish Times. 21 December 1998. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ "O'Farrell Decides". Daily Mirror. 13 November 1973. p. 31. Retrieved 27 November 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "O'Farrell Accepts Iran Job". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 9 June 1974. p. 37. Retrieved 27 November 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Frank O'Farrell". teammelli.com. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ "The Red Resurrection". persianfootball.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2007. Retrieved 21 July 2007.
- ^ "O'Farrell back at Torquay". Aberdeen Evening Express. 29 November 1976. p. 14. Retrieved 27 November 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Marshall, Tyrone (7 March 2022). "Former Manchester United manager Frank O'Farrell dies aged 94". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
- ^ "Frank O'Farrell – 1927-2022 | West Ham United F.C." www.whufc.com.
- ^ "Frank O'Farrell". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ "Frank O'Farrell – Iran Career". Retrieved 14 November 2008.
- ^ "United under Frank O'Farrell". StretfordEnd.co.uk. Retrieved 4 February 2009.
- ^ Frank O'Farrell management career statistics at Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 February 2009.
- ^ Jones, Jordan. "List of Welsh Cup winning managers - 1887 to 2019". Y Clwb Pêl-droed - Your home for Welsh football. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ "Asian Games 1974", RSSSF.
Further reading
- O'Farrell, Frank (2011). All Change at Old Trafford: The Frank O'Farrell Story. Backpass. ISBN 978-0-9570118-0-9.
- McCartney, Iain (2014). Manchester United: Busby's Legacy. Amberley Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4456-3907-9.