In The News

Campaign for memorial to forgotten footballer

Campaign for memorial to forgotten footballer

A CAMPAIGN is continuing to raise funds for a memorial to a forgotten footballer who was buried in an unmarked grave.

Dublin-born Patrick O’Connell played for Belfast Celtic in his early years before going on to captain Manchester United and Ireland. After retiring as a player, Mr. O’Connell went to Spain in the 1930s where he became a manager, eventually helping to save Barcelona.

He had first managed Real Betis — winning the Spanish La Liga for the first time in the club’s history — before moving to Barca in the late 1930s. As the Spanish Civl War raged, Barcelona Football Club was facing extinction  under intense pressure from General Franco’s forces. But Mr. O’Connell took the club on a tour of the USA and Mexico which resulted in enough money being raised to save the club.

He became known in Spain as ‘Don Patricio the Barcelona Savour’, but within 20 years he had died destitute in London and was buried in an unmarked grave in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Kilburn.

A campaign to raise funds for a fitting memorial has been ungoing with many leading figures in football lending their support. Martin O’Neill, Johan Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer are among those to back the campaign by donating signed football shirts.

Fergus Dowd from The Patrick O’Connell Memorial Fund said there has already been a great response to their efforts to raise money for a 

memorial.

“It has been unbelievable — we’ve had responses from all over Europe. The top people in football have been involved”, said Mr. Dowd. He added: “Remember, without him there would be no Barcelona — no Messi, no Cruyff, no Maradona. It was O’Connell who saved Barcelona from extinction.”

For more information about the campaign and to find out how to make a donation visit The Patrick O’Connell Memorial Fund website.

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