Funeral of Kath Phipps takes place

The passing of our long-serving receptionist in December sparked a wave of tributes from those lucky enough to grace her presence throughout a Reds career that began in 1968. 

Phipps began as a switchboard operator and later became a fixture at Old Trafford's directors' box entrance, before taking on the role of training ground receptionist, ensuring all visitors were greeted by the cheeriest of welcomes.

Kath’s funeral was held at Manchester Cathedral and Sir Alex Ferguson was among those who attended. The club icon read the eulogy in memory of his friend and former colleague. 

Ruben Amorim’s first-team squad was present and, as an Academy graduate who knew Kath for decades, Jonny Evans proudly performed a reading in tribute. United Women manager Marc Skinner paid his respects alongside captain Maya Le Tissier and Ella Toone, with a strong Academy delegation present.

A host of United legends were also in attendance, including David Beckham, Mark Hughes, Denis Irwin and Roy Keane, to name just a few.

TRIBUTES TO KATH

Speaking to us outside the cathedral, former club captain Bryan Robson explained just what Kath means to him. 

“She was just fabulous,” explained Robbo. “Right from when I came to the club in 1981, she started doing my mail and she was still doing it right up until the sad day when she died. But that was the woman she was, she was a great person.”

Former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel also spoke lovingly about Kath. 

“I grew up as a Manchester United supporter and she was the very, very first Manchester United person that I ever met,” said the Great Dane. “Five years before I joined the club, I was here for an Under-21s international against England and we were playing that game at Maine Road. 

“I persuaded my coach to get the bus to go around Old Trafford so I could see it. I went into reception and Kath was there. I didn't know it was Kath at that time, and she didn't know who I was. I said ‘I am playing this game and I'm a big Man United fan, is there any chance that I could see the stadium from the inside?’ and she organised it. Five years later, I joined the club and I spent a lot of time with her in the eight years I was here.”

REMEMBERING OUR KATH

In the last issue of United Review, our matchday programme at Old Trafford, legendary kitman Albert Morgan paid this tribute to his friend...

“It could only have been a week, maybe two, before she passed away, that Kath was in her bed at The Christie, getting in touch with people at the club and asking them to get together the players’ mail from Carrington and send it over to her so that she could sort it out. Right up to the very end, she was trying to contribute to the club and help out as much as she could. That was Kath, though. She lived to help Manchester United in any way. 

“I was fortunate enough to know Kath before I even started working for the club. I used to work at a garage which would fix the players’ cars, so I would come to the training ground to pick them up, then take them away to be sorted out. Kath would have the keys ready; she knew where each car was, so she was extremely organised and you could drop the keys back with her once you’d finished, knowing that the cars were in her safe hands.

“Then, when I later started working at the club, she was there for me right away. She helped me settle in and over time she turned into a wonderful, dear friend. I was far from the only case; she was a friend to everyone.

“You don’t work for long at this club – never mind more than half a century – without being excellent at your job. Regardless of your role, if you’re not up to scratch then you won’t survive long without being extremely capable, and Kath was just superb at everything she did.

“Whatever you needed from her at any given time, she was absolutely spot on and never grumbled about anything. You wouldn’t know if she’d had a bad day because she was always so positive, but I’m honestly not convinced she ever had a bad day at the office because she lived to work for United.

“She was always there. When she went on the directors’ box desk at Old Trafford to work on a home matchday, you could usually count on something coming up last minute on the day, but she would always handle it. ‘Just wait there a minute,’ she’d say, and she’d disappear to speak to the gaffer or whoever she needed to get hold of, and then she’d resolve the situation.

“On reception at Carrington, part of her job was to answer the phone and you could absolutely count on her to answer immediately. She had the same approach and tone every single time: ‘How can I help you?’ I made a joke of it: if I ever called Carrington and it took her three or more rings to answer, the first words out my mouth to her would be: ‘You’re going slow!’ 

“Another thing that brought us closer was that Kath’s husband, Richard, had a heart bypass. When I had one myself, maybe 12 months after his, she was so helpful, talking me through the process and explaining what I could expect. When I came back to work quite quickly after the operation, she was so concerned for me, making sure that people helped me and going to great lengths to make sure that things weren’t too strenuous for me. She was so good to me for that. 

“Whenever I saw her around the training ground, either during my time as kitman or coming back after I’d retired, Kath was always the same as ever. She was a lovely, kind-hearted person who cared about everybody. A lot of people wouldn’t get past reception without getting a kiss off her! Everyone loved her and we all recognised how much the club meant to her. 

“One of the saddest aspects of what has happened to Kath is that, even though she had some great friends who were with her to the end, she has no blood relations left alive. So, when Richard passed away a few years ago, the club really did become everything to her, aside from her little dog Maisie. She lived for the job even more than ever. Sir Alex looked after her, ensured she had a taxi to and from work every day and that was the arrangement because the club needed her and she needed the club. Families support each other and, when she needed us, she was able to count on everyone at the club for support because she’d given such great support to everyone else whenever they needed it. 

“During lockdown, staff at the club would call her to check in, or she’d get a home visit from a player or two, and that meant the world to her. After my wife passed away, I was on my own too and it can be hard, so I know how much it means to get that kind of support from other people.

“Working at United was absolutely everything to her. That’s why she stuck it out until the very end of her life; United and Kath were part of one another. I thought what the club did for her before the Forest game was magnificent. A little bit of coverage in the media, lovely books of condolence at Carrington and Old Trafford, and then I was so pleased to see the recognition she received at the stadium, with the pre-match tribute from the players, staff and fans. 

“It’s important that we always remember the people who have given so much to the club and Kath gave everything. The place already feels strange without her. She’ll be deeply missed by everyone who knew her.”