Frank O`Farrell

Early

Frank O'Farrell started his playing career with Cork United, but followed his former Cork teammate, Tommy Moroney to West Ham United in January 1948. A quietly spoken, but nonetheless determined and talented wing-half, O'Farrell was to become a well-respected student of the game. He took some time to establish himself at Upton Park, possibly because of his naturally shy nature, but eventually he won first team recognition towards the end of 1950, making his league debut in November 1950 in a 4–1 defeat away to Notts County and remaining a regular in the side for six seasons. During that time O'Farrell won the first of nine full international caps for Ireland against Austria in Vienna on 7 May 1952, in a 6–0 defeat.

In November 1956, he left the Hammers for Preston North End in a straight swap deal involving Eddie Lewis. 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. Ironically, that same campaign O'Farrell's former team-mates at West Ham finished as Second Division Champions, at last securing their promotion to First Division, the goal he had strived so hard to help achieve.

Manchester United

In June 1971, after leading Leicester to promotion and the Second Division Title, he took over at Manchester United, but would only last 18 months in the post. His arrival came just three years after United had won the European Cup, but the side's fortunes had taken a decline since then with 8th place finishes in the First Division in the previous two seasons before O'Farrell's arrival.

The soft spoken Irishman was never able to get to grips with the worst of George Best's excesses. United started his first season in charge very well and were 10 points clear at one stage at the top.

However, a dismal second half of the season which including a seven-match losing run in the league starting on New Year's Day 1972, and O'Farrell's impersonal approach whereby every player had to schedule an appointment just to see him didn't help morale. Once again, United ended the season in eighth place, but worse was to come over the next two seasons.

A poor start the following season cluminated in a 5–0 thrashing at a Don Rogers inspired Crystal Palace which ultimately sealed his fate. In December 1972, O'Farrell was sacked with three and a half years left on his contract. He was replaced at Old Trafford by Tommy Docherty.

Retirement/Managment

He retired as a player in 1961 due to injury and in May 1961 became player-manager at Weymouth. 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 6th and 7th place finishes in Division Three in the following two seasons. While Torquay manager he returned to West Ham to sign three players, John Bond, Ken Brown and Bill Kitchener.

In December 1968, he took over Leicester City, narrowly winning a vote between himself and then Luton Town manager Allan Brown for the post. Brown was sacked for showing an interest in the post and subsequently replaced O'Farrell at Torquay. Although Leicester were relegated from the First Division at the end of the season, O'Farrell lead them to the FA Cup final, which they lost 1–0 to Manchester City at Wembley.