How Beckham has paid tribute to Eric Harrison

Friday 15 May 2020 12:27

David Beckham has paid a personal and heartfelt tribute to his legendary Manchester United coach Eric Harrison, on the 28-year anniversary of their FA Youth Cup success in 1992.

Old Trafford icon Beckham has never forgotten his education in the Academy and, to this day, credits the lessons he learned from the late Harrison as the foundation of his illustrious football career. 

David played under Eric when winning the 1992 FA Youth Cup, courtesy of a 6-3 aggregate win over Crystal Palace, with future first-team stars Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville also appearing in those games too. 

Harrison led the club to another final of that prestigious competition in the following season, with Paul Scholes and Phil Neville included in the line-up, and then, in 1995, the Reds won the trophy again, this time with Phil as captain.

Of all the silverware that Beckham won as a player, he still counts the Youth Cup as a favourite and, today, he used his official Instagram account to remember the man who inspired that success.  

“Eric Harrison was an incredible man that taught me and my team-mates to work hard and respect each other - on and off the pitch,” writes David in a post to his 62 million followers. 

“This is us 28 years ago, celebrating our win at Old Trafford in the FA Youth Cup final. Eric’s family have been supporting the Alzheimer’s Society that helps people suffering from dementia and their families. Head over to @AlzheimersSoc to find out more and see the amazing work they’re doing.” 
In Memoriam: Eric Harrison Video

In Memoriam: Eric Harrison

Everybody associated with United will always remember Eric Harrison, who sadly passed away on 13 February 2019...

A LEGEND OF MANCHESTER UNITED 

Beloved former youth-team coach Harrison passed away in February 2019 and, as a sign of his stature, the biggest names in Old Trafford history all paid tribute to his life's work. Sir Alex Ferguson led the praise and provides a unique insight into a man whom he respected so highly. 

“Eric's contribution to football, and not just at Manchester United, was incredible,” he said. “When I came in as manager, I was lucky enough to have Eric on the staff as head of youth development, so I got to see the work he did and not just with the Class of '92 but with all the young players. 

“He built character and determination in those young players and prepared them for the future. He was a teacher, he gave these players a path, a choice and he only did that through his own hard work and sacrifice. He was able to impart that education to the young which made him one of the greatest coaches of our time. On a personal level, Eric had a wicked dry sense of humour and was straight talking, and I admired that in him.”

Although he wasn’t coached by Harrison, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knew him well and spoke last year about the impact that he made on Reds history. 

“He was an influential part of Manchester United with his passion for the club and how we played football. He was a fantastic man. I never had him as a coach myself but I spoke to Eric many, many times and he was so passionate. We will all remember his legacy. He’ll always be remembered.”

Remembering the great Eric Harrison: