Eric Harrison, the fabled Manchester United youth team coach, has died at the age of 81.
Harrison was at the club for 27 years, been brought in by Ron Atkinson and remained well into Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure after the Scot opted to keep him on.
Harrison notably helped develop the incredible group of young players who garnered the nickname ‘Fergie’s Fledglings’ and would win the 1992 FA Youth Cup, reach the final the following year and go onto form the core of the side that achieved the unprecedented and as yet unsurpassed continental Treble - the Premier League title, FA Cup, and Champions League - in 1999.
Gary Neville, the former Man Utd captain and a part of that ‘Class of ‘92’ was quick to pay tribute to his former mentor, who was believed to be living with dementia.
“We’ve lost our mentor , our coach and the man who made us. He taught us how to play , how to never give up , how important it was to win your individual battles and what we needed to do to play for Manchester United Football Club. Eric we owe you everything.”
Neville said on his Twitter page.
His former club also added;
“We are extremely saddened to report that our former youth coach Eric Harrison passed away last night. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Eric's family and friends at this sad and difficult time.”
Harrison featured prominently in the 2013 documentary about that special group of players that included Neville, his brother Phil, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, and David Beckham.
The BBC reports that Harrison passed away peacefully with his family by his side.
On behalf of Manchester United supporters, and furthermore lovers of English football everywhere, thanks Eric.