Frank O'Farrell
Encyclopedia
Francis 'Frank' O'Farrell (born 9 October 1927) is an Irish
former football player and manager
.
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.
. 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.
, he took over at Manchester United
, but would only last 18 months in the post. His arrival came just two years after retirement of manager Matt Busby
and three years after United had won the European Cup, but the side's fortunes had taken a sharp decline under the management of Wilf McGuinness
.
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 form plummeted and O'Farrell's impersonal approach whereby every player had to schedule an appointment just to see him didn't help morale. 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
.
in November 1973, but in April 1974 quit to take the manager's post with the Iranian national team
and lead them to the 1976 Asian Cup
.
In November 1976 he returned to Torquay United as manager, moving to a position as general manager when Mike Green was appointed as manager in March 1977. He became Torquay manager again in June 1981, once again becoming general manager, this time in June 1982 on the appointment of Bruce Rioch
. He worked as general manager until 1983, when he retired from football and continued living in Torquay.
to attend a ceremony in honour of Persepolis F.C. former players, along with Alan Rogers
, working in Iran
.
Torquay United
Leicester City
Cardiff City
Iran
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
former football player and manager
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
.
Early
Frank O'Farrell started his playing career with Cork United, but followed his former Cork teammate, Tommy MoroneyTommy Moroney
Tommy Moroney is a former Irish soccer and rugby union player. Moroney played soccer for Cork United, West Ham United, Evergreen United and Ireland. In 1949 he was a member of the Ireland team that defeated England 2–0 at Goodison Park, becoming the first non-UK team to beat England at home...
to West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
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
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
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
Austria national football team
The Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
on 7 May 1952, in a 6-0 defeat.
In November 1956, he left the Hammers for Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
in a straight swap deal involving Eddie Lewis
Eddie Lewis (English footballer)
Edward "Eddie" Lewis was an English footballer who played as a centre-forward and later as a full-back. Born in Manchester, he played for Goslings before joining the now-famous Manchester United Junior Athletic Club...
. He was still with the Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
club when they finished runners-up to Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
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
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
, the goal he had strived so hard to help achieve.
Retirement/Management
He retired as a player in 1961 due to injury and in May 1961 became player-manager at WeymouthWeymouth F.C.
Weymouth F.C. are an English football club based in the town of Weymouth, who currently play in the Southern League Premier Division.-History:Weymouth Football Club were founded in 1890 and played their first game on 24 September of that year...
. In May 1965 he became manager of Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
, replacing Eric Webber
Eric Webber
Eric Victor Webber was an English footballer, playing as a centre-half, and manager.-Early days:Although he was born at Shoreham in West Sussex, Webber's family moved into Hampshire when he was a child and he played for Fareham Senior School, before joining Fareham Town and then Gosport Borough...
. 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
John Bond (footballer)
John Frederick Bond is an English former professional football player and manager. His son Kevin Bond is also a former footballer.-Playing career:...
, Ken Brown
Ken Brown (footballer)
Kenneth 'Ken' Brown is an English former football player and manager. As player, he made more than 400 appearances in the Football League representing West Ham United, where he spent the majority of his career, and Torquay United, and was capped once for the England national team...
and Bill Kitchener
Bill Kitchener
William Harry Kitchener is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League for West Ham United, Torquay United and A.F.C. Bournemouth....
.
In December 1968, he took over Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
, narrowly winning a vote between himself and then Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
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
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
final, which they lost 1-0 to Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
at Wembley.
Manchester United
In June 1971, after leading Leicester to promotion and the Second Division TitleFootball League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
, he took over at Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, but would only last 18 months in the post. His arrival came just two years after retirement of manager Matt Busby
Matt Busby
Sir Alexander Matthew "Matt" Busby, CBE, KCSG was a Scottish football player and manager, most noted for managing Manchester United between 1945 and 1969 and again for the second half of the 1970–1971 season...
and three years after United had won the European Cup, but the side's fortunes had taken a sharp decline under the management of Wilf McGuinness
Wilf McGuinness
Wilfred "Wilf" McGuinness is a former English football player and manager, who played twice for England. He is best known for taking over from Matt Busby as manager of Manchester United...
.
The soft spoken Irishman
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
was never able to get to grips with the worst of George Best
George Best
George Best was a professional footballer from Northern Ireland, who played for Manchester United and the Northern Ireland national team. He was a winger whose game combined pace, acceleration, balance, two-footedness, goalscoring and the ability to beat defenders...
's excesses. United started his first season in charge very well and were 10 points clear at one stage at the top. However form plummeted and O'Farrell's impersonal approach whereby every player had to schedule an appointment just to see him didn't help morale. A poor start the following season cluminated in a 5-0 thrashing at a Don Rogers
Don Rogers (footballer)
Donald Rogers is an English former footballer who has often been seen as the most exciting player to pull on a Swindon Town shirt; his principal rival in this respect being Harold Fleming...
inspired Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
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
Tommy Docherty
Thomas Henderson "Tommy" Docherty , commonly known as "The Doc", is a Scottish former footballer and football manager.-Playing career:...
.
Cardiff and Iran
He became manager of Cardiff CityCardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
in November 1973, but in April 1974 quit to take the manager's post with the Iranian national team
Iran national football team
The national football team of Iran represents Iran in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran...
and lead them to the 1976 Asian Cup
1976 AFC Asian Cup
-Group B:---------Knockout stage:-Semi-finals:-----Third place play-off:-Final:-Goalscorers:3 goals: Gholam Hossein Mazloumi Nasser Nouraei Fathi Kamel2 goals: Alireza Azizi Alireza Khorshidi Hassan Roshan...
.
In November 1976 he returned to Torquay United as manager, moving to a position as general manager when Mike Green was appointed as manager in March 1977. He became Torquay manager again in June 1981, once again becoming general manager, this time in June 1982 on the appointment of Bruce Rioch
Bruce Rioch
Bruce David Rioch is an English-born football manager and former player. He was manager of Aalborg BK in the Danish Superliga, until his sacking on 23 October 2008....
. He worked as general manager until 1983, when he retired from football and continued living in Torquay.
Current
In January 2006 O'Farrell was invited for an expenses paid visit to IranIran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
to attend a ceremony in honour of Persepolis F.C. former players, along with Alan Rogers
Alan Rogers (football manager)
Alan Rogers was an English football manager who was Head-Coach of Persepolis F.C. between 1971 and 1974. Persepolis F.C., an Iranian football club then played in the Takht Jamshid Cup....
, working in Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
.
Playing Honours
Preston North EndPreston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
- First Division TitleFootball League First DivisionThe First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
- Runner-up (2): 1955–561957-58 in English footballThe 1957–58 season was the 78th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:In this season, Sunderland was relegated for the first time in their history.This was the last season in which Division 3 was split, North and South...
- Runner-up (2): 1955–56
Managerial Honours
WeymouthWeymouth F.C.
Weymouth F.C. are an English football club based in the town of Weymouth, who currently play in the Southern League Premier Division.-History:Weymouth Football Club were founded in 1890 and played their first game on 24 September of that year...
- Southern League Title
- Winner (1): 1964–651964-65 in English footballThe 1964–65 season was the 85th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* After a three-way tussle for the League title between Manchester United, Leeds United and Chelsea, Manchester United came out on top and were crowned champions....
- Winner (1): 1964–65
Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
- Fourth Division TitleFootball League Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
- Winner (1): 1965–661965-66 in English footballThe 1965–66 season was the 86th season of competitive football in England.-Diary of the season:7 October 1965: An experiment to broadcast a live game to another ground takes place...
- Winner (1): 1965–66
- Devon St Luke's Bowl
- Runner-up (2): 1966, 1967
Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
- FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
- Runner-up (1): 19691969 FA Cup FinalThe 1969 FA Cup Final was the final match of the 1968–69 staging of English football's primary cup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, better known as the FA Cup. The match was contested between Leicester City and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday 26 April 1969...
- Runner-up (1): 1969
- Second Division TitleFootball League Second DivisionFrom 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
- Winner (1): 1970–711970-71 in English footballThe 1970–71 season was the 91st season of competitive football in England.-First Division:Arsenal won the league championship at the end of a season which would soon be followed by their FA Cup final tie with Liverpool. Arsenal secured the league title at White Hart Lane, the home of bitter rivals...
- Winner (1): 1970–71
Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
- Welsh FA CupWelsh CupThe Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
- Winner (1): 1974
Iran
Iran national football team
The national football team of Iran represents Iran in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran...
- Asia Games
- Winner (1): 1974
- Asian CupAFC Asian CupThe AFC Asian Cup is an international association football tournament run by the Asian Football Confederation . It is the second oldest continental football championship in the world after Copa América. The winning team becomes the champion of Asia and automatically qualifies for the FIFA...
- Winner (1): 19761976 AFC Asian Cup-Group B:---------Knockout stage:-Semi-finals:-----Third place play-off:-Final:-Goalscorers:3 goals: Gholam Hossein Mazloumi Nasser Nouraei Fathi Kamel2 goals: Alireza Azizi Alireza Khorshidi Hassan Roshan...
- Winner (1): 1976
Manager
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Weymouth Weymouth F.C. Weymouth F.C. are an English football club based in the town of Weymouth, who currently play in the Southern League Premier Division.-History:Weymouth Football Club were founded in 1890 and played their first game on 24 September of that year... |
 |
June 1961 | 1 May 1965 | |||||
| Torquay United Torquay United F.C. Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley... |
|
1 May 1965 | 31 December 1968 | 162 | 76 | 52 | 34 | |
| Leicester City Leicester City F.C. Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester... |
|
1 December 1968 | 8 June 1971 | 114 | 51 | 28 | 35 | |
| Manchester United Manchester United F.C. Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958... |
|
8 June 1971 | 19 December 1972 | 81 | 30 | 27 | 24 | |
| Cardiff City Cardiff City F.C. Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for... |
 |
13 November 1973 | 30 April 1974 | 27 | 8 | 10 | 9 | |
| Iran Iran national football team The national football team of Iran represents Iran in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran... |
 |
September 1974 | September 1975 | 15 | 10 | 3 | 2 | |
| Torquay United Torquay United F.C. Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley... |
|
28 November 1976 | 1 March 1977 | 13 | 4 | 7 | 1 | |
| Al-Shaab |  |
1980 | 1980 | |||||
| Torquay United Torquay United F.C. Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley... |
|
1 June 1981 | 30 June 1982 | 46 | 14 | 19 | 13 | |