Eamon Dunphy Reveals Smoking and Disco Lifestyle Led to Short Stint at Manchester United
Former Republic of Ireland international, Eamon Dunphy, has spoken out about his short-lived tenure at Manchester United, revealing that his love of smoking and discos hindered his chances of breaking into the first team. Dunphy, 79, joined Manchester United as an apprentice at the age of 15, but never managed to play for the first team, instead going on to play for York City, Millwall, Charlton Athletic, Reading, and Shamrock Rovers.
According to The Sun.ie, Dunphy opened up about his experience at Old Trafford during an episode of ‘The Bookshop with Ryan Tubridy’. He revealed that despite his short stint, he was able to strike up a bond with Manchester United all-time great, George Best. "I was at Manchester United for five years but I never ever got to play in the first team because George Best was playing, and Denis Law," Dunphy said.
Dunphy described Best as a "very close friend" and a "bright guy", who was quiet but loved to go dancing. "He was kind of the fifth Beatle, they dubbed him in the papers. He was very good looking. He had a kind of quiet way about him, a bit of mystery. We were good pals. We used to go dancing together," Dunphy added.
Dunphy joined Manchester United in 1960, two years after the Munich Air Disaster, which claimed the lives of 23 people, including eight members of the team. Among those who perished was Liam Whelan, who also played for Ireland. Dunphy believes that the tragedy and the decade that followed elevated the ‘Busby Babes’ onto another level of iconography.
"To go to Manchester United from Dublin was a dream. I went there in 1960, two years after the Munich air crash where eight of the team died. They were a great team. They were champions and they were young," Dunphy said. "Manchester United was a very big deal in Manchester and here too because one of those players, Liam Whelan, was an Irish international and a great player. That team made Manchester United famous around the world and the tragedy of the Munich air crash, or as it is called now the Munich Air Disaster, it elevated Manchester United into iconic status."
Dunphy attributed his inability to break into the United team to two main factors: the club’s ability to draw the best and brightest, and his own lifestyle. He admitted to smoking and going out to discos, which hindered his development as a player. "In 1960, they had the pick of the best young players around the British Isles so I knew what I was going into. It was tough. I was there for five years but I never developed the upper body strength you need to be a top-class player, mainly because I was smoking," Dunphy said.
The former RTE pundit also revealed that he and his friends, including Barry Fry, would often go to the dogs and discos, which would leave him unable to pay his rent. "I remember losing all of my wages on the Thursday which was payday and staying out all night because I wasn’t able to pay my rent. I got bronchitis and the night watchman let me stay in his hut," Dunphy added.
As reported by The Sun.ie, Dunphy’s story provides a fascinating insight into the life of a young player trying to make it in one of the world’s biggest clubs, and the challenges that come with it. His revelations also highlight the excesses of the 1960s and the impact that lifestyle choices can have on a person’s career.
Dunphy’s account of his time at Manchester United is a testament to the enduring legacy of the club and the ‘Busby Babes’, who continue to captivate football fans to this day. As The Sun.ie reports, Dunphy’s story is a reminder that even the most successful clubs have their ups and downs, and that the road to success is often paved with challenges and setbacks.
The Sun.ie has learned that Dunphy’s experiences at Manchester United have provided valuable lessons for young players today. As Dunphy himself said, "It’s tough. I was there for five years but I never developed the upper body strength you need to be a top-class player, mainly because I was smoking."
Dunphy’s interview with Ryan Tubridy provides an absorbing read, offering a glimpse into the life of a footballer in the 1960s and the challenges that came with it. As reported by The Sun.ie, Dunphy’s story is a compelling one, and a reminder that even the most iconic clubs have their human side.
