O’Farrell was born in Cork in 1927 and worked as a railway worker and a firefighter before joining Cork United in 1947.
The left-back joined West Ham for £3,000 a year later and made his debut for the Hammers in 1950. He joined Preston in 1956 after making over 200 appearances for the east London club, where he played alongside club hero Sir Tom Finney.
After Sir Matt Busby retired in 1971, Frank O’Farrell took over as manager; the Irishman finished seventh in the Debut Division with Manchester United in his first season, winning the Second Division with Leicester in 1970, and playing as a wing-half for West Ham and Preston.
Between July 1971 and December 1972, the Irishman led the Red Devils, succeeding Sir Matt Busby, who had returned as manager after his initial successor Wilf McGuinness was dismissed.
During the 1971/72 season, O’Farrell led United to a First Division title, losing only once in his first 14 league matches in charge, but they gradually faded from contention and ended ninth.
After a 5-0 loss to Crystal Palace in late 1972, he was fired as United manager, leaving the club in third place in England’s top division. In his 81 games as manager of Manchester United, he won 30 of them.
Who was Frank O’Farrell’s Wife?
Ann O’Farrell is said to have married Frank O’Farrell. Frank and Ann got married. Later in life, he and his wife, Ann, maintained a nursing home in Devon. He was involved in church matters and presided over the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul’s local conference.
