SIR ALEX FERGUSON recalled an incredible tale about the late Kath Phipps at the unveiling of Carrington’s new training ground building.
United also included a special touch, unveiling a plaque in memory of Kath, who worked at the club for over half a century.
Beloved receptionist and United staple Kath sadly passed away at the age of 85 in December last year.
The club icon had worked at United since the 1960s and was a hugely popular figure.
Virtually every ex-player spoke about her “happy” presence when they entered the buildings at the club’s training ground.
And now Ferguson, who read a eulogy at her funeral at Manchester Cathedral, personally unveiled a beautiful monument in her name.
Ferguson, 83, drew back red curtains to show a plaque that read: “In memory of Kath Phipps.
“The welcoming heart of Manchester United for 56 years.”
It also included one of Kath’s famous sayings: “Work hard and smile, you’re at Manchester United.”
Before unveiling the plaque, Ferguson said: “This was her desk. This was her life, every day. She was a sweetheart, an absolute sweetheart.
“Loved by everyone and an exceptional person.
“So my desk was a mess, a golden mess. So she decided to tidy it up and I came back into one big pile of abusive letters.
“The second pile was letters from kids in hospital, and another with notes from players’ fathers, just bundles of letters.
“And she says ‘boss will you write to this little kid, that kid, and this father?’.”
“And I would say ‘but Kathy there’s hundreds of them’ and she would say ‘you have to do it, that’s your job’.
“She was fantastic. So every time when my desk was a mess, I depended on Kathy to sort it out.
“She was a fantastic person and spent 55 years at United. There’s no one that’s been at this club for that amount of time.
“I was honoured to spend 27 years – half that time. Can you imagine being here for 55 years?
“She was such a devoted person. We thank her for the wonderful person she was and from Manchester United.”
A childhood United fan from Irlam, Kath became the Reds’ switchboard operator in September 1968 shortly after the Reds’ first European Cup success.
She was soon forging friendships with Sir Matt Busby, Jimmy Murphy and United’s star-studded squad, spending countless hours with Ballon d’Or winners George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law as they signed autographs to send to their fans.
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