Legendary Irish footballer Patrick O’Connell’s legacy at FC Barcelona will be marked with a Hall of Fame induction.
The Dubliner, who rose to prominence in the early 20th century by becoming the first Irish captain of Manchester United, is also credited with saving FC Barcelona.
O’Connell managed the Catalan’s during the Spanish Civil war. He famously took the team on a tour of Mexico which cleared their debts when they were on the cusp of going under.
Fergus Dowd of The Patrick O’Connell Memorial Fund, revealed to Wandsworth Radio, as transcribed by the Irish Post, that O’Connell will become the first Irishman to be inducted into FC Barcelona’s Hall of Fame on December 30.
“We only got word on Monday that Barcelona Football Club are going to induct Patrick into their Hall of Fame.”
“There’s also been a painting donated by a man called Tony Denden, who is from Manchester but is of Irish descent. He’s painted a picture of Patrick with his Irish cap on and a picture of Patrick from his days at Barcelona, which is going to be put into their museum.”
“That’s going to happen on the 30th of December when Barcelona play Real Betis, which ties in with his story, given that Patrick managed both clubs.”
Despite an impressive career, O’Connell died in poverty in 1959 and received a pauper’s burial n London. Dowd is on course to restore the Irish soccer legend’s grave with the memorial fund next year.
