Heartbroken David Beckham reveals promise beloved Man Utd receptionist Kath Phipps made his parents when he was just 15

DAVID BECKHAM has shared a touching message about the late Manchester United receptionist Kath Phipps who passed away on Thursday.

Kath, who died at the age of 85, worked for Man Utd for 55 years and was a much-loved character among all those at the club.

Tributes poured in for the woman who first worked as Man Utd’s telephone switchboard operator in 1968 when Sir Matt Busby was in charge.

Beckham, who came through the youth ranks at Old Trafford and spent more than a decade in the first team, posted his own heartbreaking message on social media.

And he revealed the promise Kath made to his parents which she kept throughout his time at the club.

Writing on Instagram below a picture of him clutching a lady’s hand, he said: “Forever in our hearts.

“The first and last face I would always see was Kath sat at reception at Old Trafford waiting to give me my tickets for the game, she was the heartbeat of Manchester United, everyone knew who Kath was and everyone adored her.

“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 ❤️.

“Old Trafford will never be the same without your smile as we walk through those doors.

“We love you ❤️.”

Kath appeared in Beckham’s Netflix documentary in 2023.

In it she discusses his rise to fame – and all the letters he received from adoring supporters.

Asked if she remembered when Becks got his first fanmail, Kathy revealed: “I can’t honestly remember. It just built up and built up. All these young ladies writing to him.”

Asked what they said, as Beckham revealed he was sent underwear, she added, with a slight smile: “It’s not nice is it, sending underwear to a boy. I put them to one side and didn’t reply.”

When she was then asked “did it get to his head”, she firmly replied: “No.”

Kath also spoke about how it felt when the nation turned on Beckham after he was sent off in England’s last-16 defeat to Argentina at the 1998 World Cup.

Kath said: “I didn’t like it at all but I had no say in the matter. I’d loved to have said something but you just can’t. You just keep your (mouth shut) like I’ve always done.”

The treasured employee later opened up about watching the historic 1999 2-1 Champions League final victory against Bayern Munich from home.

She said on watching the stunning climax to the Treble-winning season, when United equalised in the dying seconds with a goal following a Beckham corner: “I said to my husband at the time, before he passed away, ‘Oh dear, I’m going to make a cup of coffee’.

“They scored, and he said, ‘They’re going to do extra time’. Then I said, ‘Oh, I’m going then’. I went out again.”

She built a strong bond with a host of Man Utd players – demonstrated in the overwhelming response to her passing.

Red Devils’ record scorer Wayne Rooney said: “The heart and soul of Man Utd. Everything what the club is about.

“A legend who will be greatly missed. Thanks for the memories Kathy. Thoughts with family and friends.”

While Paul Scholes responded: “The heart and soul of our special football club, will be sadly missed by all and impossible to replace…RIP Kath.”

Harry Maguire added: “A legend that will never be forgotten.

“I will miss you. We will miss you. RIP Kath.”

Jonny Evans said: “A ray of light every single day at Manchester United. Rest in peace ❤️ Kath Phipps.”

And Patrice Evra shared a picture with Kath and said: “Losing a family member [is] never easy.”

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk