MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 03: Sir Jim Ratcliffe of INEOS meets long-serving receptionist Kath Phipps of Manchester United before meeting other support staff at Carrington Training Complex on January 03, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Sir Jim Ratcliffe of INEOS meets long-serving receptionist Kath Phipps of Manchester United
Manchester United have paid tribute to 'beloved' employee Kath Phipps, who has died at the age of 85.
Phipps was an omnipresent figure at United since the late 1960s, and worked for the club for over 55 years in a variety of roles.
A childhood United fan, Phipps became the club's switchboard operator in 1968, shortly after the team's first European Cup success.
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She went on to forge close friendships with the likes of Sir Matt Busby, Ballon d’Or winners George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, and also Sir Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney.
Her contribution to the day-to-day running of the club at the training ground was recognised by Fergie after her husband, Richard, had passed away.
Fergie took his squad to the funeral to pay their respects, and stand in solidarity with her as she grieved her loss. During the Covid lockdown, she was also visited at home by players and staff members.
While in 2022, she was recognised by the League Managers' Association with a 'Service to Football' award, prompting public tributes from the likes of David Beckham and Gary Neville.
A club statement read: "We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved colleague Kath Phipps at the age of 85. An omnipresent figure at Manchester United since the late 1960s, Kath worked for the club for over 55 years in a variety of roles, but her contribution went beyond any particular job title.
"Having become a key member of the club’s office staff in the ensuing years, Kath later became a matchday fixture at Old Trafford’s directors’ entrance and took on the role of training ground receptionist, ensuring that any visitor to Carrington was greeted by the cheeriest of welcomes.
"For regulars, that greeting would extend to warm hugs and friendly chats as Kath came to embody the familial atmosphere underpinning the club's culture.
"If Kath ever had a bad day, she never brought it to work; her positive attitude helped set the mood for everyone entering the training ground, always ready to lend an ear and offer words of encouragement to anyone who needed them – be they megastar footballers, casual staff or occasional visitors.
"Kath was a one-woman institution, whose memory will be cherished by everyone at the club who had the privilege of knowing her. She said last year: “I can’t imagine doing anything else.” Well, we can’t imagine the place without her.
"Rest in peace, Kath."
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In an interview in 2023, Phipps said: "I don't think I’ve had one cross word with anybody in all the years I've been here.
"I look forward to coming in and having a smile on my face every day, wishing people 'good morning'. I just enjoy being here. Not everybody can say they enjoy going to work but I do. Football has been my life."
Beckham - who had Kath appear in his Netflix documentary - paid tribute to her afterwards saying the "amazing" receptionist "really deserved" the accolade "for her services to football, but more importantly for services to the club I love and you love".
He said she used to be "the first person I would see when I walked into the training ground reception" and he would be "forever grateful to her" for dealing with letters from his fans.