Fans are remembering their hero, favorite athlete and an artist who remained the backbone of Manchester United
Manchester: Jimmy Murphy is an unsung hero who spent his life by living football. An artist,a super athlete and a great team manager still alive in the heart of fans.
Born on 8th August 1910, Murphy wore many hats. As a footballer coming from Wales, Murphy recorded over 200 appearances for West Bromwich Albion and won 15 caps for National team. Murphy then took over as the Manager in 1958 when the Air Munich Disaster took place. Murphy too was supposed to accompany the team but he stayed back. Before that Murphy served as the team’s Chief Coach from 1946 to 1955. He later became the scouting official clerk and lastly served as a sergeant in Bari during the second World War. There also, he organized troop sports games and ran coaching clinics.
During his tenure, Murphy was a very talented and entertaining player. His aggression & happiness both reflected in the tunes he used to play through his organ. He loved playing piano as well. His testing time was well passed when he kept the team afloat among fans & media after the plane crash. Sir Matt Busby was in the hospital and Jimmy managed everything tactically in his absence.
As a coach and a manager, Jimmy scouted many young talents and gave them the much needed opportunity. Murphy always shied away from the media but his on field motivational talks are still missed.
As a tribute when Jimmy passed away, a media building was named in his name. ‘Jimmy Murphy Young Player’s Award’ is also organised.
Sir Alex Ferguson once said, “When I arrived down here I went to see Jimmy Murphy. Both Matt and Jimmy were at stages in their careers where they had time to offer me advice. Jimmy was still scouting for the club and I went and had lunch with him and he expressed this great desire to see youth coming back into the club. He was a very emotional man, a great servant to the club, and I would have liked to have listened to him more over the years”.
Today, on his 30th death anniversary, global fans are paying their tribute remembering the legend of Manchester United, Sir Jimmy Murphy.
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