David Beckham has recalled the touching promise that one beloved Manchester United figure made to his parents after he moved to Manchester as a youngster.
The Manchester United legend played for Ridgeway Rovers, Tottenham and Brimsdown Rovers at youth level before he arrived at the Red Devils in 1991.
David Beckham rose through the ranks of the United youth academy and broke into the Red Devils’ first team under Sir Alex Ferguson in the 1990s.
One of the Class of ‘92’s success stories, the 49-year-old former England captain catapulted himself to superstardom during his remarkable United spell.
During his time under Sir Alex Ferguson, Beckham lifted six Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy and two FA Cups with United.
The former United superstar scored 85 times and registered 121 assists in 391 first-team appearances for the Red Devils before his Old Trafford exit in 2003.
Man Utd legend Beckham shares promise made
David Beckham took to Instagram and paid tribute to Kath Phipps after Manchester United’s long-standing receptionist passed away at the age of 85.
Kath Phipps had been at the Red Devils for over 55 years and was a beloved figure at the Premier League club.
United announced her passing on Thursday and a flood of tributes came in for Phipps, including from Marcus Rashford and Red Devils legend Wayne Rooney.
Beckham insisted that “everyone knew” who United’s long-standing receptionist was and “everyone adored her.”
The ex-United and Real Madrid star revealed that Phipps “made a promise” to his mum and dad that she would look after him after Beckham’s arrival in Manchester.
“Forever in our hearts… The first and last face I would always see was Kath sat at reception at Old Trafford waiting to give me my tickets for the game, she was the heartbeat of Manchester United, everyone knew who Kath was and everyone adored her,” Beckham wrote to his 88.3m Instagram followers.
“I moved up to Manchester at 15 and Kath made a promise to my mum and dad ‘I’ll look after your boy for you don’t you worry’ and from that first day till the last day I spent with her that’s exactly what she did.
“Old Trafford will never be the same without your smile as we walk through those doors… We love you.”
Man Utd’s touching tribute to Phipps
Kath Phipps had crossed paths with an abundance of legendary figures at Old Trafford, including Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Matt Busby and Sir Bobby Charlton.
United posted a heartfelt tribute to Phipps on their official website and called her a “one-woman institution” after her incredible service to the Red Devils.
“Kath was a one-woman institution, whose memory will be cherished by everyone at the club who had the privilege of knowing her,” reads the statement.
“She said last year: ‘I can’t imagine doing anything else.’ Well, we can’t imagine the place without her.”
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