Frank O'Farrell - The Shadow of Busby

The never before told story of the only ever Irishman to manage the most famous soccer team in the world, Manchester United, and his power struggle with father figure of the club - Sir Matt Busby.
40 years ago, a man from Cork named Frank O'Farrell agreed to take on the most daunting job in world soccer - replacing Sir Matt Busby as manager at Manchester United.
Broadcast by RTE on 29th December 2011 www.rte.ie/tv/programmes/frank...

[@rebeldog8]

Frank is my Uncle and he is a fantastic humble man with fantastic stories.

[@debi-k-zn2654]

That he is. A gentleman and a scholar.

[@stuartbennett1163]

RIP Frank. Greatest manager that Torquay United ever had

[@seltaeb3302]

United through & through..

[@ysgol3]

Busby was like a child - he didn't want ANYONE to threaten his status as the big man - forget Crerand, he's just a joke.

[@dlamiss]

Sammy Mac came across very well in this

[@vashna3799]

Paddy Crerand is an unreliable voice over the Frank O ‘Farrell tenure at United. He worshipped Busby and wouldn’t have a word of criticism against him.

[@debnbhuy]

RIP Frank, a true legend and gentleman at Torquay United, you will never be forgotten.

[@mc9022]

Poor Frank i didn't know who was until today , i meet him in a nursing home in devon , sadly today he had a accident and he got bad injured . I hope he gets better soon.

[@debi-k-zn2654]

He's fine now. Still kicking a ball around in the lounge

[@cantona57]

Ferguson is casting a similar shadow now. Its been eight years since he left and no silverware since. It started with David Moyes, he asked the fans to be patient. Ten months later he threw him under the bus. Its passed him by now, and its sad to hear him ramble on

[@athlone1975]

Frank O Farrell comes across as a dignified and decent man. However like Wilf McGuinness he had Busby looking over his shoulder. United went stale once the European Cup was won in 1968. There was a big rebuild job to be done at Old Trafford post '68. It took Docherty to grab the bull by the horn. He wasn't afraid of Busby or reputations. He moved on Crerand which was the right thing to do. He got rid of any Busby loyalists. He had too. There can only be one boss. I think Docherty's time at United is much under appreciated by the wider football family. He fashioned a brilliant side who were cavalier and entertaining all in under four years. I don't doubt that had the United board held their nerve Docherty would have led United to the title within three years of his sacking.

[@simonworsfold4139]

Yeah Doc's sacking was a tragedy for the club and the fans as they were starting to do well and would have been a strong force against Liverpool. Dave Sexton although a great and respected football coach didn't have the Doc's charm.

[@simonworsfold4139]

Both Frank and even Wilf McGuinness had the potential to be good managers at Utd but were unable to do their jobs properly and to build their sides in their own images. The European cup team of 68 had peaked and Wilf especially had the burden of the ageing squad and had a few players in mind for rebuilding a side going into the 70s but wasn't given the backing. Frank and Wilf's autobiographies as well as the Docs are really well worth reading. Some of the players Frank brought in were not accepted with the exception of Buchan. Really enjoyed this documentary and found this era very interesting. Was good that Frank had a few people that said good words about him.

[@michaelhampton9493]

Frank was let down by a lot of people. He deserved a lot better

[@mnd1955]

I was at Selhurst that day when we were hammered by Palace. There was a buzz going around that Frank O'Farrell was on his way out and that Tommy Doc was getting the job. It was no big secret. On MOTD that night, Jimmy Hill and co excoriated Matt Busby and Louis Edwards, placing the blame for the club's decline on their shoulders. The club was in a mess. Since 1968, how many players did we bring in? Ian Ure from Arsenal. We were still relying on an aging team. Frank O'Farrell was on a hiding to nothing and he didn't deserve all the crap that was dumped on him.

[@seltaeb3302]

Nonetheless football for managers means employment & re-employment! Frank's a nice man & Leicester was a small town (yes, City) club & the Big Time antics had yet to come & they did, too survive you need the Doc, Cloughie suit of armour and he hadn't, so back to Torquay then & feet up. Nice man tho'

[@mnd1955]

@@seltaeb3302 Yes, maybe too nice to be dealing with the sharks he had to contend with.

[@stanogden6254]

I watched United home and away Frank was badly treated by Busby and was good enough to warn Tommy Docherty when he got the job about certain people he should be wary of

[@gilbert55]

Fascinating documentary, having been a united fan for 45 years I can honestly say Frank o Farrell as gone up in my estimation of him, wrongly treated and sacked in my opinion!.....this hurts to say this, but IF true,the way he was treated, Sir Matt as gone down a wee bit in my estimation, as for Paddy Crerand, never liked the guy , never will!

[@user-kn8un4ru8p]

Wow, Paddy Crerand is one bitter man. A great story and one that every manager should see before managing Manchester United. It hasn't changed, believe me. Fergie still rules the roost, like Busby did. I loved the humbleness from Mr O'Farrell.

[@paulflynn6169]

Paddy Crerand is a legend,you know fuck all about United. Rusholme Irish,me. Frank was a middling manager.

[@user-kn8un4ru8p]

@@paulflynn6169 really? Pat Crerand is a legend, but his comments were unnecessary. I was taught, never speak ill of the dead. As for knowing nothing about Manchester United........hahahaha!

[@noelodowd7867]

What a cruel game football can be.

[@kirkbrookes8422]

great manager. Frank's five point plan. at Christmas 1st season. George let him down.Dennis got injured. Busby didn't give him a chance.

[@kevkennedy843]

I'm a massive United fan but Busby and Crerand have both gone down in my estimation after seeing this. O'Farrell seems to have been very unfairly treated....not our finest hour.

[@kirkbrookes4812]

Kev Kennedy yes great guy

[@andyhowpog]

From a City fan with a subjective point of view: Yes, Busby undermined him and Crerand has blatantly tried to re write history. I believe Tommy Docherty got rid of Crerard soon after his arrival because of Crerand's interference. Poetic justice.

[@andyhowpog]

Actually Crerand left in 1976 but, same difference, it was a case of the old guard singing from the wrong hymn sheet. No sympathy.

[@jjdundas3496]

Crerand is a cnut. A worthless cnut.

[@Adrianheneghan]

Not a Man Utd fan but Frank was undermined and like everyone has said about Charlton, Crerand and Busby they were all snakes. However, I do agree with what Paddy said. Frank probably wasn't up for the job. He was too nice. Wasn't the name that was needed to rebuild team

[@seanyurt334]

That poor man its an awful pity it didn't work out with him. Very interesting and insightful documentary though. I'd say not much has changed behind the scenes even now in 2022.

[@stwads]

He was unlucky the way things turned out. Ian Storey-Moore got an injury that finished his career & Bestie caused all sorts of problems. Crerand has his own agenda here but I do feel sorry for Frank O'Farrell. He was a decent ,principled man & could have been a great manager!

[@Patrico6297]

That's my Granddad brother, and he was known as a pure Gentleman, I've met him and he likes to talk about his success. God bless you "Uncle Frank"

[@matthewsmith1629]

And that's my nan's brother, Anne O'farrell (now Brophy). Which makes us second cousins?

[@rebeldog8]

Paddy Wickwack He's my grand uncle !

[@rebeldog8]

Matthew Smith Also my nan's brother !!!

[@matthewsmith1629]

Who's your Nan mate? My Nan is Anne Brophy, was Anne O'Farrell.

[@rebeldog8]

Matthew Smith catherine kitty o Farrell or kitty heaphy

[@northlincsfox243]

I wish Frank O’Farrell hadn’t left Leicester so soon. He had reinforced a leaky defence and they conceded very few goals in his last season there, spending a small sum in the process. Leicester had become a tight unit by 1971, not altogether attractive to watch but able to hold their own in the First Division.

[@williamgannaway8183]

Spurs fan here - that Paddy Crerand is a no-good Busby yes man. It's embarrassing to see, but a fantastic documentary all the same.

[@zephergaming4437]

Sir Matt Busby made United

[@argill6242]

Well said William. Busby did so much for Utd but in the end he did damage because he couldn't let go. People like Crerand are blind to reality and his contribution is embarrassing. I'm a Utd fan and know that Busby was great but not perfect. Fergie was even greater but also brought damage through the Rock of Gibraltar affair. Loved him but again that's reality. Frank was a good guy and badly treated

[@jamiesimms7084]

@@argill6242 Fergie is not greater

[@jamiesimms7084]

@@argill6242 also although I agree with the Frank thing Matt Busby did not damage United. You need to know reality and understand the history.

[@argill6242]

@@jamiesimms7084 I'm well aware of reality and the history. Just my view on what happened between 69 and 74. Also, think Fergie was greater based on his many rebuilds and success.

[@seanandben]

Great documentary, and it shows up the likes of Crerand, Charlton, and Busby for what they were, and the United "directors" at the time couldn't direct traffic at a school crossing. Frank O'Farrell inherited a team that was in decline, but proved his worth elsewhere. I met him in a pub he owned which was in The Sheraton hotel n Tehran, where he was looked on as a Messiah, and a more humble or down to earth man you could not hope to meet. Pat Crerand seems to be in denial, but what has he achieved since his playing days?

[@cantona57]

Paddy Crerand is an arse licking 'yes man'. He never did anything after he quit football except hang around Old Trafford, looking for hand outs. He did a bit of commentary, and he was a disaster. If Tommy Docherty had not been sacked, Paddy would have been removed, as he was Busbys spy. Everything went back to Sir Matt on the golf course. He sits there and claims he knows for certain that there was no interference from Sir Matt. At the end you can see Busby is embarrassed having to tell a lie. George Best was also a part of the problem. The Doc soon shifted him once it became clear that he would not toe the line. It was never a question of Frank being good enough. It was a question of him being given a chance. We have seen that repeat itself since with David Moyes. Paddy Crerand opinion is generally rubbish because he cant see the wood from the trees. He does know what happened, because he was Sir Matts spy in the camp. and he knew the result of the information he carried back. Even on match day, he is biggest pain in the arse the way he treats the stewards. he should be run out of there.

[@joekilgobinet]

Thanks for uploading

[@tonynesbit9673]

What a gent,unlucky at United,George best was a nightmare.

[@theunsheep]

Frank is a legend.

[@stanogden4574]

went to crystal palace away in 71 won 3-1the the following December went again and lost 5-0 frank was sacked on the Tuesday after 18 months busby promised him 5 years apparently a good man never given a chance (and the man who signed martin Buchan).thanks frank.

[@RadioNul]

Could have done without all the background music

[@justinsteele5220]

I'm only 32 I really got no clue to what went on in these days but I held paddy in high record but after watching this I think my perception of paddy has lowered.

[@Darwinion]

They should have cut George Best from the club completely... cancelled his contract. Would have done the whole team more good in the immediate short term. Any top club needs dedicated players if they are to achieve anything. George was, at one time, the BEST player the world had ever seen. No doubt about that. But he was anything but dedicated in the O'Farrell reign. And that wasn't Franks fault at all. What did George achieve after Man.Utd? A few good turns for Fulham on The Big Match.... whoopee fucking do! They did fuck all.

[@garrywood8836]

As a loyal red who walked to old Trafford from 1967 found the time of Frank's tenure although brief, exciting, poignant and a liittle bazaar. He presided over George best's final surge at the top.Sometimes even eclipsing his magical form of the 60s.Unluckily for o Farrell this coincided with the steady decline of the legends Charlton and lLaw both however still potent well into their 30s.

[@toddtomato]

what a great documentary ,i thought i knew everything about united but this educated me no end ,good luck frank and ann

[@WELLBRAN]

Telling Franks wife about it was a very low life thing to do.

[@vashna3799]

Matt Busby was the man who made Man Utd, trouble is, he couldn’t let go after he retired, and tarnished his reputation with the behind the back treatments he was certainly guilty of first on Wilf McGuiness who was never really manager just “head coach “ and Frank, who was up against not just Busby, but Crerand, Morgan, Law, even Charlton who wouldn’t treat anyone but Busby as the Boss.

[@1spike447]

The music playing constantly through the documentary, completely spoiled this football documentary. Whoever thought it was a good idea to do this, hasn't got a clue about making documentaries. It becomes very annoying after a while, and just make you stop watching it. which is a shame because it is a great story.

[@richardsharpe2966]

As a Man Unt fan myself it was a great shame that Frank did not succeed as boss he should have bought Alan Ball Peter Osgood Paul Reeney Jimmy Johnstone and Colin Todd who all available at the time

[@michaelkirkbright4723]

In many respects nothing has changed! Utd. allowed Fergie to anoint and appoint Moyes which was a mistake and it appears that behind the scenes Fergie has influenced the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solsjaker. Who says history doesn’t repeat itself!

[@ajmalcosman46]

Yes because Ole knows the club sir. Mourenhoe, did destroy the club.

[@ifeanyiobiora-okafo7017]

as of today i can tell you that you're completely correct

[@scoobysienna]

i just watched this and i completely believe frank..he seems sincre! anyone taking a job after sir matt busby would of struggled.i still think thats how the board and some players are today...great docby the way

[@1061andy]

Excellent documentary - read Dunphys book 'Strange Kind of Glory' for a similar perspective on Busby & the club itself.

[@KryptonitetoallBS]

Wouldn't believe a word that prick writes!

[@joenewman3705]

Good documentary.

[@padraigoconnor2540]

Busby hiding in the back ground.

[@DoctorHver]

I think no one should be surprised that things turned out the why they did, as being described in the documentary. The problem was that there was no vision on what to do following the European Cup win in 1968. Busby after European Cup in 1968 was finished as manager, since last ten years prior had all been about making up for what had happened in Munich 1958. So there was no planning regarding how to build on the European Cup succcess and for Busby's retirment, and Busby had also full fill the propecy that was created in hospital bed in Munich.

[@breakdown461]

Paddy IS a corporate yes man still if you watch mutv.

[@Unkidi]

Can't Hear A Word For That Bloody Music At Times' What's The Point?

[@Robhalifax]

I think O'Farrell could have been a great manager, not necessarily at Man.U. but somewhere. It was an impossible task there.

[@Adrianheneghan]

He was probably out of his depth. Abit like when Moyes took over from Fergie

[@northlincsfox243]

He’d been a great manager at Leicester.

[@michaelmuldowney8]

Alex Stepney "We were all internationals". Yes Alex - you were, you and your ONE cap !!!

[@geoffjones4285]

Docherty and Crerand Such nice upstanding individuals Would you trust them with anything they say

[@stormhawk3319]

Matt Busby, the father of the club, beloved by his players and the fans turned into a right villain in his treatment towards Frank O’Farrell I’m sorry to say.

[@mrkipling2201]

The only reason why I wasn’t to worried about o Farrell getting sacked was it brought the doc to OT. The board made a bigger mistake in sacking him in 77. We wouldn’t have had a 26 year wait for the league title if the doc had stayed.

[@jamiesimms7084]

That's true. I agree with the reasons for getting rid of him though

[@glynnevans1851]

@@jamiesimms7084 Hi Jamie I totally agree with you The Doc wasn't given the time to rebuild a aging squad then but his private life should of been non judgemental .At that time too football was changing from the Carpet brand n passing playing football to up in thee air and the lack of talented wingers. Bill Shankley n Don Revie Pure Class managers then and not forgetting Brian Clough who knew it all and he did .Kind regards to you Glynn n Greetings from Stourbridge West Midlands 🤝

[@jamiesimms7084]

@@glynnevans1851 thank you in Glynn in Stourbridge. I appreciate your comments 👍

[@glynnevans1851]

@@jamiesimms7084 Cheers Jamie. May I ask who s your team and were r U from sir ,My team from 66 till mid 70s Leeds .Kind regards Glynn 🤝

[@johntempleton3544]

Thats football. But a pleasure to meet Frank Ofarrell a gentleman. Docherty was the next and he used the knife to good effect and got rid of the old wood although it took a season in the next league to rebuild them. You dont win anything with a team of old players no matter how great they have been. Docherty could combat Busby they came from the same background but even he couldnt with a winning team stay in charge with the overlord Busby still stalking the corridors. Thats football!

[@dang5817]

I’ve a lot of time for Paddy and he’s a United legend but he’s in absolute denial here and doesn’t come across well at all.

[@yippyialeftside8351]

bobby robson would of been a great choice in the earyl 70s, calm, tough forward thinking could deal with star players and looked at youth

[@dlamiss]

Robson would have been the ideal choice in 77 IMHO. Could have stayed there 15 years

[@jamiesimms7084]

I'm glad we didn't get him though. Tele Santana would have been good instead of Atkinson but then we may never have had Fergie

[@richardsharpe2966]

A question for someone from Eire is The GAA ban still in force would like to know please

[@AM-vt9bk]

No, the ban was lifted in around 1971, many players played secretly for soccer teams during the ban but "foreign sports" became more and more popular until the GAA could no longer punish players

[@umarrazvi]

RIP Frank

[@seltaeb3302]

Ian Storey-Moore! Goodness double👀take, I thought it must be another player with same name.

[@jameshope398]

Can't help thinking would Brian Clough have made a good manager of Manchester United also what a backstabbing bastard Crerand is

[@kirkbrookes4812]

fucking he'll. crerand cnt say a bad word about busby.

[@philauguste7310]

Background music is a bit overwhelming... had to stop watching after 10-mins

[@bobacrey1068]

Frank should have cleared the dead wood out in the Summer of 1972 and made some decent signings. He never recovered from the crap start to 72/3 and paid the price.

[@scherben8870]

I wish we'd have got Jock Stein in '71. Can't guarantee he'd have worked out, but I suspect he would have. Tough as nails, and believed in entertaining football, too.

[@richardsharpe2966]

I agree with you Jock Stein should have taken the job back in 71

[@73reider]

Should have went for Clough in the 1970`s, What an adventure that would have been!

[@richardsharpe2966]

+mcbrando If Brian Clough had been appointed Man Unt boss history would have been different but he should have got the job in either 71 or 73

[@Darwinion]

Clough was no good on his own, as was evidenced at Leeds. He needed Taylor as a foil (they worked together brilliantly). Both of them yes...solo Clough no.

[@roderickscott7429]

@@richardsharpe2966 his wife didn,t want to move that was the gamechanger.

[@deanmo3599]

Whoever take over man utd as a gaffer is not a big deal.a big club manager even you succeed or not always attract big attention from the public.no surprise at all.

[@trackside77]

He does seem to have treated very badly.

[@philipmartinhammond8313]

Paddy crearend doesn’t come across as a sincere man

[@Jamalama555]

What do they mean when they say "tried everything to help him" as in George Best .. Was best out of his tree ?

[@cantona57]

Gevin Vardanyan Back then, clubs didn’t know what to do with problem players, especially superstar players like George. I’m sure there were plenty of players around the country who behaved like George and were released, but in George ‘s case, he was one of the holy trinity. Nowadays they check into re-hab and after a couple of stints in there, they either make it or they don’t, and like Maradonna, they soon are unable to play at the highest level and they fade away. George had no intention of quitting the booze, which was a tragedy as he was done at 27, when he should have been at his peak. In the process he destabilized the club and a good man like Frank lost his job. Busby was to blame for a lot of it, but like all addictions, only you and you alone have to want to beat it. George didn’t want to beat it. That’s the sad part about it.

[@dondamon4669]

@@cantona57 I can only think of one player that had gone rehab while still playing? They still don’t know what to do just look at Gazza!

[@cantona57]

@@dondamon4669 there are probably far more, but If a club is trying to get rid of a player they are unlikely to make it public as it would affect the players value .

[@abhouston1]

Scottish managers 😍😍😍😍

[@DoctorHver]

Its obvious United should have made Alex Ferguson player-manager back then he would have given Best the hair drier.

[@mohdazmi10]

A manager should be allowed to run the football team without any interference. That is what Jurgen Klopp have now at Liverpool.

[@Dommer1973]

Paddy Crerand. What a sad bloke.

[@dondamon4669]

Tbf Matt Busby made the club what they are

[@dondamon4669]

Frank was to soft and you no that coz he had to leave football coz he was so hurt. What’s wrong with the players playing golf with Matt?? Surely he had the common sense to realise they had grew up with him? Lot of self pity! Look how Ferguson handled it!

[@johnclark3697]

& you mr crerand weren't good enough either.. pace of a snail.🤣🤣🤣

[@lilacmaninapurpleworld538]

Sir Matt is Ferguson without hair. See 46:02

[@dalairkhan6470]

That's the first year I started going to old Trafford to watch united..up tel x mis they played great football.

[@alanmctavish4802]

Tavy@ am kind of shocked? A didnt know busby and co. Were that bad and am a utd fan! Crerand has always got something to say, A snake!!!!!!!

[@eamonryan8738]

I know he's from Cork, but he flopped. He failed to take control. And didn't get the results. Wish he did, though.

[@ABiggles]

O'Farrell produced the most boring football I have ever seen at Old Trafford.

[@cantona57]

bulldshit. i remember that team. he was a victim of a clueless board and a meddeling busby

[@ABiggles]

@@cantona57 I never said anything about Busby or the board. I said the football was boring. Please read what was written and not what you want to see.

[@cantona57]

@@ABiggles you said o Farrell produced the most boring football you have ever seen . I beg to differ

[@ABiggles]

@@cantona57 Thank you. A much more civil response than "bullshit."

[@1spike447]

The music playing constantly through the documentary, completely spoiled this football documentary. Whoever thought it was a good idea to do this, hasn't got a clue about making documentaries. It becomes very annoying after a while, and just make you want to stop watching it. which is a shame because it is a great story.