The Man Who Saved FC Barcelona

The Remarkable Life of Patrick O'Connell

Nonfiction, Sports, Football, Biography & Memoir
Cover of the book The Man Who Saved FC Barcelona by Sue O'Connell, Amberley Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Sue O'Connell ISBN: 9781445654690
Publisher: Amberley Publishing Publication: July 15, 2016
Imprint: Amberley Publishing Language: English
Author: Sue O'Connell
ISBN: 9781445654690
Publisher: Amberley Publishing
Publication: July 15, 2016
Imprint: Amberley Publishing
Language: English

Patrick O’Connell is not a name usually associated with the likes of Lionel Messi, Pep Guardiola or Johan Cruyff, yet this is the man who saved FC Barcelona from financial ruin. Born in Dublin in 1887, Patrick O’Connell had a successful playing career with Belfast Celtic, Hull City, Sheffield Wednesday and Manchester United, where he was involved in one of the most notorious match-fixing football scandals of his generation. On his retirement from playing, O’Connell became a successful manager with Ashington but then left his family in 1922 to work in Spain, first as manager of Racing de Santander, then Real Oviedo, Real Betis de Sevilla and finally FC Barcelona. In 1935 ‘Don Patricio’, as he was affectionately known, managed Betis to their only La Liga title success, as well as bigamously marrying his second wife. At the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936, the President of Barcelona, Josep Sunyol, was assassinated, leaving the club in crisis. O’Connell took the team on a tour of Mexico, Cuba and New York and the money they raised ensured the club’s survival. After the Civil War, he returned to work in Spain before heading to London where, unable to find work, he died destitute in 1959. This biography was written over many years by Sue O’Connell, wife of Patrick’s grandson, Mike. The author’s access to authentic documents, letters and family memories, along with her extensive research in England, Ireland, Spain and Mexico, has allowed her to reconstruct the life of this remarkable man.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Patrick O’Connell is not a name usually associated with the likes of Lionel Messi, Pep Guardiola or Johan Cruyff, yet this is the man who saved FC Barcelona from financial ruin. Born in Dublin in 1887, Patrick O’Connell had a successful playing career with Belfast Celtic, Hull City, Sheffield Wednesday and Manchester United, where he was involved in one of the most notorious match-fixing football scandals of his generation. On his retirement from playing, O’Connell became a successful manager with Ashington but then left his family in 1922 to work in Spain, first as manager of Racing de Santander, then Real Oviedo, Real Betis de Sevilla and finally FC Barcelona. In 1935 ‘Don Patricio’, as he was affectionately known, managed Betis to their only La Liga title success, as well as bigamously marrying his second wife. At the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936, the President of Barcelona, Josep Sunyol, was assassinated, leaving the club in crisis. O’Connell took the team on a tour of Mexico, Cuba and New York and the money they raised ensured the club’s survival. After the Civil War, he returned to work in Spain before heading to London where, unable to find work, he died destitute in 1959. This biography was written over many years by Sue O’Connell, wife of Patrick’s grandson, Mike. The author’s access to authentic documents, letters and family memories, along with her extensive research in England, Ireland, Spain and Mexico, has allowed her to reconstruct the life of this remarkable man.

More books from Amberley Publishing

Cover of the book Leicester History Tour by Sue O'Connell
Cover of the book French Traction by Sue O'Connell
Cover of the book Twickenham by Sue O'Connell
Cover of the book Historic England: Oxford by Sue O'Connell
Cover of the book Socket Bayonets by Sue O'Connell
Cover of the book The London to Brighton Line Through Time by Sue O'Connell
Cover of the book Finest of the Few: The Story of Battle of Britain Fighter Pilot John Simpson by Sue O'Connell
Cover of the book Starlight Specials by Sue O'Connell
Cover of the book Arbella Stuart by Sue O'Connell
Cover of the book British Saws by Sue O'Connell
Cover of the book Brentford Through Time by Sue O'Connell
Cover of the book Mayfair Through Time by Sue O'Connell
Cover of the book Fenton Through Time by Sue O'Connell
Cover of the book Around Haslemere & Hindhead From Old Photographs by Sue O'Connell
Cover of the book Taunton Through Time by Sue O'Connell
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy