Jimmy Murphy: statue of Man Utd legend who led team after Munich Air Disaster is unveiled at Old Trafford

Manchester United have unveiled a statue to a club legend who played a leading role in helping the club through some of its darkest days at its Old Trafford stadium.

Jimmy Murphy steered the club through the aftermath of the Munich Air Disaster in 1958 in which 23 people, including eight players, were killed. Now a permanent likeness of him stands in tribute to his achievements and his contribution to the club at the Stretford End, with more than 1,000 people turning up to see it unveiled on Wednesday (3 May). The statue was put into position and has become a permanent fixture at Old Trafford 65 years after Murphy led the club to the FA Cup Final just a few months after the fateful crash in Germany.

Who was Jimmy Murphy and what did he do at Manchester United?

Murphy ended up helping to steer United through some of the club’s most difficult days as he missed out on the club’s European trip to Belgrade because he was coaching Wales to the country’s maiden appearance in a World Cup. The plane stopped to refuel in Munich on its way back from Yugoslavia and crashed as it attempted to take off, killing 23 people. Eight of them were players with the team known as the Busby Babes and United supporters and journalists were also on board the aircraft.

As Sir Matt Busby fought to recover from his injuries in hospital Murphy stepped up to lead the team to the FA Cup Final where they took on Bolton Wanderers at Wembley just three months after the crash. He was an influential figure at Old Trafford, arriving at United in 1946 and carrying out roles including assistant manager, first-team coach, reserve team manager and scout, He was still working as a part-time scout for United at the time of his death in 1989.

What was said about Jimmy Murphy at the statue unveiling?

The statue unveiling ceremony at the Stretford End of Old Trafford was attended by more than 1,000 people, with United supporters, members of Murphy’s family, senior club leaders and members of the 1968 European Cup winning squad that Murphy coached all in attendance. Sculptor Alan Heriot, who was commissioned to produce the statue by the club and a coalition of fans, was also there.

The crowd heard a special message sent by Sir Alex Ferguson before popular poet and Manchester United fan Tony Walsh performed a specially-composed work called Jimmy Murphy Without Whom, which celebrated his life with the club,

Murphy has now joined Sir Matt, Sir Alex, George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law who are all permanently commemorated outside the Theatre of Dreams. In a speech before the unveiling Manchester United chief executive Richard Arnold said the club had listened to the fans who had said Murphy should be commemorated.

He added: “It is wonderfully fitting that the statue stands at the Stretford End of Old Trafford, overlooking the old ash-cinder pitches where Jimmy would train the Babes. A special place, on a special day, for a special person in Manchester United’s history.”

Jimmy’s son Jim Jnr, speaking on behalf of the Murphy family, said: “This is an extremely proud moment for all the family. We have always cherished our father’s contribution to Manchester United, but this wonderful statue is further confirmation of his remarkable legacy at Old Trafford.

“We thank everyone involved at Manchester United for this great tribute and I know that, like us, Dad would have been touched to see so many people here celebrating his 43 years at the club. Dad always said that if he could stay at Old Trafford he would – that has come true today.”

Award-winning sculptor Alan said: “As a lifelong Manchester United fan this was a dream job for me. In my time working on the statue, I got to know Jimmy’s family and the fans incredibly well. They assisted me at every stage in the creation of what you see at Old Trafford today. I thank them and hope I have done them and their father’s memory proud.”