• The Magazine
  • Interviews
  • Current
  • Nostalgia
  • Legends
  • European
  • World
  • Log in
  • Subscribe
Menu
  • The Magazine
  • Interviews
  • Current
  • Nostalgia
  • Legends
  • European
  • World
  • Log in
  • Subscribe

The man who saved Barcelona

PinkbyPink
October 25, 2018
inFeatures

exc-5bd17ca4652dea16008758c0

BY MARK GODFREY

In recent years, the story of Patrick O’Connell has been highlighted on various websites and blogs across the internet. However, if you still haven’t heard about the Dubliner who was a key figure in the history of one of the world’s biggest clubs before, then soon there will be an opportunity to learn more.

O’Connell began his football career at Belfast Celtic before eventually going on to be the first Irishman to captain Manchester United. He was also a part of the first Ireland team to win the Home Championship in 1914.

His managerial career began at Ashington in Northumberland – home of Jackie Milburn and the Charlton brothers – before Fred Pentland – legendary coach of Athletic Bilbao in Spain – recommended him for the Racing Santander job in 1923. Leaving his wife and children behind in England (he would never see them again, preferring only to send them money home to support their upkeep) O’Connell departed for Spain where footballing success followed him wherever he went.

He guided Real Betis to their one and only Spanish title victory in 1934/35 which earned him the nickname Don Patricio in Seville, and persuaded FC Barcelona president, Josep Sunyol, to take him to Catalonia to coach the Blaugrana.

Unfortunately for O’Connell, the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War soon after would play a massive part in football and his life, and by 1937 the club found itself on the brink of bankruptcy. Famously, he took the penniless Barcelona team on a tour of Mexico and the United States, and the monies generated by those exhibition matches essentially saved them from financial oblivion. He is rightly credited with being the saviour of FC Barcelona.

After battling on with Barca for another few years he returned first to Santander and then to Sevilla (building the team that would eventually win their only La Liga title in 1947). Wishing to try his luck back in England, O’Connell moved to London in 1949. However, his impressive CV failed to earn him a crack at any manager’s jobs and he ended up broke and destitute, wandering the streets around King’s Cross railway station until he passed away in 1959 aged 72. His financial predicament meant he was buried in an unmarked grave in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Kensal Green. His resting place remained unrecognised for 57 years.

That was until the Patrick O’Connell Memorial Fund kicked into action. Another Dubliner, Fergus Dowd, was instrumental in the fund’s creation in 2014, and through various fundraising efforts enough money was raised to erect a new memorial to O’Connell in the cemetery that was his last resting place in London.

Along the way, Dowd and his co-campaigners were able to have O’Connell formally recognised by the clubs he served so auspiciously, including being inducted into FC Barcelona’s hall of fame.

And now, 59 years after his death, a 90-minute documentary detailing O’Connell’s extraordinary life is to be released. The film – produced by Michael Andersen – also chronicles the work of the Memorial Fund and is set for its premiere in Dublin, Belfast and Manchester in April before screenings in Barcelona and Seville in May. The trailer will be launched today (January 16th) in the Sugar Club in Dublin.

The film was aided by support and contributions by a list of well-known names including Martin O’Neill, Roy Keane, Gerry Adams, Luis Figo and Josep Maria Bartomeau amongst many others.

You can find out more about Patrick O’Connell, the movie and the Memorial fund by visiting the website http://www.pocfund.com/ and follow their Twitter account @PatricioFund

Related Posts

Events

Grammy Predictions and Odds (2023): Who Will Win Best Pop Solo Performance & Other Prestigious Awards?

The Grammy Awards are set to take place on February 5 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California....

by Jamie Ingram
February 3, 2023
0
1998: When the World Cup and EA Sports combined to create computer game heaven
Features

1998: When the World Cup and EA Sports combined to create computer game heaven

The FIFA computer game series has now grown to an incredibly lucrative and, for some, time-consuming franchise. The days...

by Liam Togher
March 11, 2022
0
The Physio : Life in the Camp
European

The Physio : Life in the Camp

During a tournament, the presenter will often say we will be going live to the England camp, or any...

by Gavin Blackwell
June 22, 2021
0
The Physio: Running repairs
Current

The physio: The more things change, the more they stay the same

It wasn't all that long ago when the medical team in all the 92 professional clubs consisted of one...

by Gavin Blackwell
March 8, 2021
0
Load More
Next Post

Diddy Cups

nfl-picks-ats
Current

Week 2 NFL Picks Against the Spread: Big Game Odds and the Best In-Game Bets for NFL Week 2

by Jamie Ingram
September 20, 2023
0
0

Big-time action takes place in NFL’s highly-anticipated Week 2 matchups, with a few standout games you have to pay attention...

Read more
MLB Picks Today

MLB Picks Today (2023): Free Daily MLB Picks, Predictions, Odds, Betting Tips, and More

September 19, 2023
0
college-football-prediction

College Football Week 6 Predictions & Overview: Expert Analysis of Best Picks and Odds

September 18, 2023
0
best sportsbook for corners 2

Best 8 Sportsbooks for Corners Betting: 6 UK Betting Sites That Offer Corner Bets in 2023

September 19, 2023
0
sean-o_malley-next-fight

Sean O’Malley Next Fight: Where to Bet on the New Champ’s First Title Defense

September 18, 2023
0
Menu
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Profile

© Copyright 2023 – Football Pink

  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Profile

© Copyright 2022 - Ronnie Dog Media All Rights Reserved. Live Score

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Gmail
  • Print Friendly
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
  • Tumblr