January 6th 2025.
David Beckham, one of the most iconic football players of our time, made a somber appearance at Manchester Cathedral on Monday. He joined some of his former Manchester United teammates to pay their respects to a legend of the team, Kath Phipps. Phipps, who had worked as a receptionist for United for an impressive 55 years, had passed away in December of last year.
The ex-England captain, now 49 years old, stood alongside other United legends such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Roy Keane, and John O'Shea to honor the memory of Phipps. She had joined the team in 1968, the same year they won their first European Cup, and had since become an integral part of the club's staff and community. Throughout the years, she had worked under iconic managers like Sir Alex, Sir Matt Busby, Ron Atkinson, and Jose Mourinho, as well as legendary players like Nobby Stiles and Sir Bobby Charlton.
Phipps, who was born in Salford and grew up as a United fan, was a beloved figure among the team and its fans. She had a special relationship with David Beckham, who had worked with her for 12 years between 1991 and 2003. Upon her passing, Beckham fondly remembered her as the first and last person he would see when he arrived at Old Trafford, and credited her with looking after him when he was just a young 15-year-old.
The funeral was attended not only by former players, but also by the current Manchester United squad, who gathered at the cathedral to give Phipps the send-off she deserved. Among them were Beckham's former teammates from the treble-winning 1999 team, Nicky Butt and Roy Keane. David, dressed in a black suit and coat, paid his respects to his dear friend and colleague.
In his statement, Beckham expressed his sorrow at the loss of Phipps and stated that Old Trafford would never be the same without her warm smile greeting people as they walked through the doors. He also mentioned that she had met the current United majority shareholder, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, last year and that even the women's team had paid tribute to her in December.
In 2022, Phipps received the League Managers Association's Service to Football award in recognition of her years of dedication and commitment to the club. She had collected the trophy alongside Sir Alex and former United midfielder Michael Carrick. The team wrote a touching tribute to her in December, describing her as an omnipresent figure at the club who went above and beyond her job title.
At her funeral, Sir Alex spoke about Phipps and her love for people. He described her as a special person who had truly enjoyed her life. He also mentioned that she was a real United person and a legend of the club without question. Reflecting on her 55 years at the reception desk, he expressed his admiration for her and the fact that all the players had turned up to pay their respects.
In conclusion, David Beckham and the entire Manchester United community, past and present, came together to honor the life and legacy of Kath Phipps. Her dedication and love for the club will never be forgotten, and she will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who knew her.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
