Rest In Peace, Kath Phipps

Sir Alex in his speech at the funeral:
“Is there anyone else who has served Manchester United for more than 55 years? I can’t think of anyone.”

“United was run by one girl.”

“She was happy, content, with everyone she loved around her. What we see here today is a representation and honour of a really special person.”

Jonny Evans:
Jonny recounted an emotional moment last spring when Kath, suffering with an ear infection, pulled him in for a customary hug which lingered longer than usual. Spotting tears rolling down Kath’s face, he asked her what was wrong, to be told that she didn’t want people to think she was bad at her job because she’d been struggling to hear them. “I couldn’t help but be amazed at her dedication,” he said. “Even after all those years, Kath still took so much pride in her work. That was her life: representing her club and looking after her boys.”

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Jason Leach, the club’s VIP Experiences Executive, closed the personal tributes with his own memories of his fellow Salfordian, starting with advice handed out in their very first meeting. “Keep your head down, work hard and smile because you work for Manchester United,” was the mantra she passed him.

“We talk about the Manchester United family,” he continued, “I would say just watch Kath Phipps at work and it all begins to make sense. She was brilliant at her job and brilliant with people.”

Quoting a Sir Matt Busby saying which adorns the Salford Suite walls at Old Trafford, Jason continued: “‘Manchester is people. Salford is people. United is people.’ Maybe the great man had Kath in mind when he came up with that. She epitomised everything that is great about this football club.”
 
A random memory of Kath is having a brew with her a few days after we won the League Cup in 2006. "We're about to have some great memories with these boys"

My great aunt was an old friend from the 60s and they were catching up.

She saw something in Ronaldo, Rooney and a few others that clearly very others, aside from Fergie, did.

"This Serbian guy we've just signed is amazing. Just you watch."
 
RIP Kath. It's been lovely to see the tributes. It was people like Kath that helped make United the club it was, and contribute to it being referred to as "the family club".

I only ever spoke to Kath a couple of times, but she told me that when she started at United in 1968 that my Grandfather (who was the chief scout then) taught her to operate the switchboard. His day job prior to going full time at United had been doing just that for the GPO in Manchester.
 
A random memory of Kath is having a brew with her a few days after we won the League Cup in 2006. "We're about to have some great memories with these boys"

My great aunt was an old friend from the 60s and they were catching up.

She saw something in Ronaldo, Rooney and a few others that clearly very others, aside from Fergie, did.

"This Serbian guy we've just signed is amazing. Just you watch."

thats a nice memory to have, thanks for sharing. She was spot on there too.
 
I knew Cath for 20 years. She was always really lovely and always down to earth. Just treated the players/staff the same, like normal human beings - with a bit of a mums touch. Amazing service to the club, she clearly enjoyed what she did. There will never be another like her. RIP.