30 Facts About Frank O'Farrell

Francis O'Farrell was an Irish football player and manager.

Frank O'Farrell played as a wing half for Cork United, West Ham United and Preston North End.

Frank O'Farrell made over 300 appearances in the Football League before joining Weymouth as player-manager.

Frank O'Farrell went on to manage Torquay United, Leicester City, Manchester United, Cardiff City, Iran and Al-Shaab.

Frank O'Farrell played for the Republic of Ireland national team, making nine appearances between 1952 and 1959.

Frank O'Farrell's grand-uncle was renowned road bowling player John "Buck" McGrath.

Frank O'Farrell was raised a Catholic and attended Christ the King.

Frank O'Farrell played Gaelic football and captained the school team to its first trophy win in 1941.

Frank O'Farrell played the association code for local teams Nicholas Rovers, Clapton Celtic and at Western Rovers alongside the brother of Noel Cantwell, with whom he would later reunite as a teammate at West Ham United.

Frank O'Farrell made over 50 appearances for the reserves before breaking into the first team.

Frank O'Farrell was one of a number of West Ham players that would meet at Cassettari's Cafe to discuss tactics.

Frank O'Farrell played for West Ham in seven seasons and made 213 appearances, scoring eight goals.

In November 1956, Frank O'Farrell left for Preston North End in a straight swap deal involving Eddie Lewis.

Frank O'Farrell retired from professional football in 1961, close to 34 years of age, after a second operation to remove cartilage.

On 20 June 1961, Frank O'Farrell became player-manager at Southern League team Weymouth.

Frank O'Farrell took the Gulls to promotion in his first season in charge and followed this with seventh- and fourth-place finishes in the Third Division in the following two seasons.

Frank O'Farrell appointed former West Ham teammate Malcolm Musgrove as his assistant.

Frank O'Farrell's arrival came just three years after United had won the European Cup, but the side had posted eighth-place finishes in the First Division in the previous two seasons before O'Farrell's arrival.

Frank O'Farrell's tenure started well, with Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best playing well and the club, 10 points clear at one stage, losing just one of their first 14 league games.

Frank O'Farrell was replaced at Old Trafford by Tommy Docherty.

Frank O'Farrell remains as the only Irish manager in Manchester United's history.

Frank O'Farrell's sacking resulted in O'Farrell suing the club over unpaid wages and he was forced to sign on at the local labour exchange while the dispute was settled.

Frank O'Farrell became manager of Cardiff City in November 1973, but in April 1974 quit to take the manager's post with the Iranian national team.

Frank O'Farrell began his tenure with seven consecutive wins, leading them to the gold medal at the 1974 Asian Games and qualification for the Montreal Olympics.

In January 2006, Frank O'Farrell was invited to Iran to attend a ceremony in honour of Persepolis' former players, along with Alan Rogers.

On 29 November 1976, Frank O'Farrell returned to Torquay United as manager, replacing Malcolm Musgrove.

Frank O'Farrell remained with the club as consultant manager when Mike Green was appointed player-manager in March 1977.

Frank O'Farrell became Torquay manager again when Green left the club in May 1981, but relinquished the position the following year, this time in July 1982 on the appointment of Bruce Rioch.

Frank O'Farrell worked as general manager until his retirement in 1983, aged 55.

Frank O'Farrell had been active in church affairs and presided over the local Conference of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.