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David Beckham, Sir Alex Ferguson, and the entire first-team squad of Manchester United honored the memory of their cherished receptionist, Kath Phipps, during her funeral

January, 07, 2025-03:37

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David Beckham, Sir Alex Ferguson, and the entire first-team squad of Manchester United honoured the memory of their cherished receptionist, Kath Phipps, during her funeral

Sir Alex Ferguson, David Beckham, and other esteemed figures from Manchester United gathered to honour a remarkable individual on Monday: the club's cherished former receptionist, Kath Phipps. Ruben Amorim and his team, having recently achieved an impressive 2-2 draw against league leaders Liverpool at Anfield the previous night, were also present at the funeral service held at Manchester Cathedral. Phipps dedicated 56 years of service to United and was affectionately referred to as a 'one-woman institution' when the club announced her passing at the age of 85 on December 5. Alex Ferguson, the iconic manager of United, was seen arriving prior to the ceremony at 2 PM and delivered a heartfelt eulogy for the former receptionist, whom he described as a 'wonderful lady.' He expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance the night before, remarking that 'Kath would be happy with that.'

Kath Phipps, the cherished former receptionist of Manchester United, passed away at the age of 85 in December. "During my visit to her home in her final days, she appeared happy and at peace," he remarked. "I initially thought she was enjoying a Coke." "She clarified that it was a Bacardi and Coke. When I inquired about her doctor's opinion on that, she replied, 'I haven't asked him.'" "It is rare to encounter someone so dedicated and who had such a profound love for people. The individuals gathered here today are present to pay tribute to a truly remarkable person." Former Manchester United star David Beckham attended the funeral with his mother, Sandra, and expressed to reporters that Phipps was "the heartbeat of Manchester United."
"The first and last face I would always see was Kath at the reception desk at Old Trafford," he noted. "She was always there to hand me my tickets for the game."

Current United manager Amorim led the team into Manchester Cathedral, with captain Bruno Fernandes and club veteran Jonny Evans leading the procession. Players such as Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire, and Joshua Zirkzee were seen dressed in club suits for the solemn occasion. Former United players including Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Bryan Robson, Nicky Butt, John O'Shea, Wes Brown, Phil Bardsley, and Phil Jones also attended the service. Jones, who joined the club at a young age from Blackburn, referred to Phipps as a "wonderful lady," noting that she was "the first face you would see" upon arriving at the club in the morning. "I am honored to be here to give her the send-off she truly deserves." Phipps began her tenure at United as the club's inaugural switchboard operator in 1968 during Sir Matt Busby's era. In May 2022, after more than fifty years of dedicated service, she received a Service to Football Award. "An ever-present figure at Manchester United since the late 1960s, Kath served the club for over 55 years in various capacities, but her impact extended far beyond any specific job title," stated the club in their announcement of her passing.