Sir Alex Ferguson paid an emotional tribute to Kath Phipps at the beloved Manchester United receptionist’s funeral today, saying she will ‘without question’ be remembered as a club legend.
Kath worked for United for over 55 years, having joined the Red Devils in 1968, initially as a switchboard operator.
In that time, Kath worked in various roles but became a familiar face to United’s playing and coaching staff as a receptionist at the team’s training base, where she built a strong bond with some of the greats of the game, including David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and Ferguson.
Last month, an official club statement announced that Kath had died at the age of 85 and messages of love and support poured in for her loved ones, as well as those who knew her from her incredible service with the Old Trafford giants.
United players past and present this afternoon joined in saying goodbye at a service held at Manchester Cathedral. The likes of Beckham, Roy Keane, and Bryan Robson were among the congregation, as well as Ruben Amorim, women’s and academy representatives and the entire men’s first-team squad.
‘She was a special person, she loved people,’ Ferguson – United’s most successful ever manager – told BBC Sport shortly after the funeral, which was described as a ‘service of thanksgiving for the life of Kath Phipps’.
‘The thing that comes out of that is you look at her life and you can’t think of a moment when you can say she didn’t enjoy her life. She was a real United person.’
On Kath’s status as a United legend, Ferguson replied: ‘Without question, 55 years!
‘I did 26 and I thought that was unbelievable.
‘She was a fantastic person and I was really glad that all the players turned up.
‘That was a brilliant moment and she would appreciate that.’
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In a eulogy given inside the cathedral, Ferguson described the receptionist as a ‘wonderful lady’ and told those in attendance that she would have been ‘happy’ with United’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday.
‘When I went to see her at home towards the end, she was happy and content. I thought she had a Coke to drink,’ he said.
‘She told me it was a Bacardi and Coke. I asked her what the doctor would think about that. She said: ‘I haven’t asked him’.
‘It is unusual to have someone who is so committed and who loved people so much. The people you see here today are here to honour a very special person.’
Veteran United defender Jonny Evans, meanwhile, recalled a time he once gave Kath a lift, joking it was like ‘driving royalty’.
‘A remarkable lady,’ Evans said.
‘She was the best on a good day and the best on a bad day.
‘Not one person ever walked past Kath without a short embrace. When she came back to work at the start of the summer I gave her a lift home. It was like driving royalty.’
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