The Man Who Kept The Red Flag Flying: Jimmy Murphy: The Fully Authorised Life Story

Wayne Barton's updated biography of Jimmy Murphy arrives at a fitting moment, following the 2023 unveiling of Murphy's statue outside Old Trafford's Stretford End, where it stands alongside those of Sir Matt Busby, Sir Alex Ferguson, and the United Trinity. This placement feels particularly poignant, as it sits above the touchline of the old ash-cinder pitch, where Murphy once trained the legendary "Busby Babes."
Barton, with his encyclopaedic knowledge of Manchester United and unprecedented access to club resources, delivers a richly detailed account of a man whose influence on the club spans a remarkable 43 years of service. The biography benefits immensely from the full cooperation of Murphy's family, with sons Nick and Jimmy Jr. providing intimate insights that humanise this towering figure in football history.
What emerges is the portrait of a man whose significance to Manchester United cannot be overstated. When Busby made Murphy his first signing in 1945, it wasn't as a player but as his assistant, a decision that would prove pivotal to the club's future. The book excels in providing a detailed account of Murphy's most remarkable moment: his leadership of Manchester United following the 1958 Munich air disaster. While Busby fought for his life in hospital, Murphy stepped into the breach, guiding the club through its darkest hour.
Barton skilfully weaves together Murphy's dual roles – his work at United and his management of the Welsh national team. Interestingly, Murphy's dedication to Wales prevented him from taking the fatal flight to Munich, just as he was gearing up for a World Cup qualification play-off against Israel. That same year, he would lead Wales to the quarter-finals of the 1958 World Cup, where they were narrowly beaten by eventual winners Brazil.
The book's greatest strength lies in its exploration of Murphy's legacy as a developer of young talent. All but three of the players who conquered Europe in the 1968 European Cup final came through Murphy's youth system, a testament to his eye for talent and ability to nurture it. The inclusion of rare archival material from the Daily Mirror and Manchester Evening News adds valuable historical context, while contributions from legendary figures like Sir Alex Ferguson and George Best provide firsthand accounts of Murphy's impact.
This updated edition feels particularly timely as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of United's 1965 First Division title. It serves as both a historical document and a reminder of the values Murphy embodied – resilience, loyalty, and an insatiable dedication to youth development. Sir Alex Ferguson's quote about Murphy's legacy being "the most important thing you can tell a young player who is representing Manchester United" resonates throughout the narrative.
Barton's writing is clear and purposeful, avoiding sensationalism in favour of meticulous research and thoughtful analysis. He presents Murphy not just as a football figure but as a man who embodied the spirit of Manchester United during its most challenging and triumphant moments.
For anyone interested in Manchester United's history, football management, or the power of resilience in the face of tragedy, this biography is essential reading. It's a fitting tribute to a man who, as Barton convincingly argues, stands alongside Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson in the pantheon of Manchester United's most important figures. In telling Murphy's story, Barton has done more than chronicle a life – he's preserved a crucial chapter in football history.
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Publisher: Reach Sport
Published: June 5, 2025 AVAILABLE NOW
Price: £9.99
Paperback: 352 pages
ISBN-10: 1916811310
ISBN-13: 978-1916811317
Dimensions: 198 x 129 (mm)