David Beckham has joined a host of former and current Manchester United stars in paying tribute to Kath Phipps, the club's beloved receptionist who has died at the age of 85. Phipps, who worked for the club for over 55 years, was a familiar face to generations of players and staff.
Beckham shared an emotional message on Facebook, recalling how Phipps was the first and last face he would see at Old Trafford. 'She was the heartbeat of Manchester United,' he wrote. '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.'
Manchester United announced Phipps' death in a statement, describing her as 'an omnipresent figure' who embodied the club's familial atmosphere. 'If Kath ever had a bad day, she never brought it to work; her positive attitude helped set the mood for everyone entering the training ground,' the club said.
Wayne Rooney also paid tribute, calling Phipps 'the heart and soul of Manchester United' and 'a legend who will be greatly missed.' Phipps joined United in 1968 as a switchboard operator and later became training ground receptionist, earning a Service to Football award from the League Managers' Association in 2022.
