Manchester United are to unveil a statue of club legend Jimmy Murphy – 65 years to the day he led them to the FA Cup Final following the Munich Air Disaster.
The sculpture – of a man integral to the rebuild following the tragedy – will stand behind the Stretford End and will be revealed on May 3 next year, following talks with fans.
Designed by Scots sculptor Alan Herriot – who also crafted the statue of Denis Law in the ex-player’s home city of Aberdeen – the work will face what was an ash-cinder training pitch where Murphy used to put the Busby Babes through their paces.
Man United are to unveil a statue of club legend Jimmy Murphy outside Old Trafford next May
Murphy was assistant manager to Sir Matt Busby from 1946 to 1971 and his time encompassed the Munich Air Disaster, subsequent rebuild and European Cup triumph.
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In the months after the tragedy he led a hastily put-together side to Wembley, where they were defeated 2-0 by Bolton Wanderers.
The addition will join existing statues of Busby, Sir Alex Ferguson, and the ‘United Trinity’ of Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best and Law outside Old Trafford.
Collette Roche, chief operating officer of Manchester United, said: ‘Jimmy Murphy was one of the most important figures in the history of this great club. He was not only Sir Matt Busby’s chief coach and then assistant for 25 years, but perhaps most importantly led us out of the darkest period in our history.
Murphy helped lead the club to the FA Cup Final months after the Munich Air Disaster, with the wreckage of the plane seen here after the crash on February 6, 1958
In the months after the tragedy Murphy (pictured front right) led a hastily put-together side to Wembley to compete in the 1958 FA Cup Final – which they lost 2-0 by Bolton Wanderers
‘In those terrible days after the Munich tragedy, Jimmy was the man who held this club together and built a team that reached the FA Cup final. No matter the result, it was a remarkable achievement to even be at Wembley – something that on February 6, 1958, seemed inconceivable.
‘It is fitting that this wonderful statue should be unveiled on May 3, the date of that final against Bolton Wanderers and at the Stretford End, overlooking the land where Jimmy used to train the Busby Babes.’
Pat Burns, Chair of The Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation (MMMF), who worked with the club on the statue, said: ‘I was moved when I saw the statue and there is no doubt that Alan has done a fantastic job in capturing the passion and image of one of the backroom legends at Old Trafford.
Murphy’s sculpture will join existing statues of Busby, Sir Alex Ferguson, and the ‘United Trinity’ of Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best and Law (pictured) outside Old Trafford
‘I know the Murphy family, who joined us on the trip to Scotland, were also hugely impressed with the progress.
‘It will be a special occasion on May 3 when we finally unveil the statue marking Jimmy’s extraordinary contribution to United at the most tragic time in this club’s history.’
Murphy played for West Brom and Swindon, and both represented and managed Wales. He passed away in 1989 at the age of 79.