Eric Harrison death: Legendary Manchester United youth coach behind ‘Class of 92’ dies, aged 81

Harrison played for Halifax Town, Hartlepool United and Barrow but cemented his football legacy as United’s youth team coach as he developed the famous ‘Class of 92’

Eric Harrison, the former footballer and legendary Manchester United youth coach, has died aged 81.

A statement issued by United on Thursday morning read: “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, who enjoyed a professional career that spanned 15 years from 1957 to 1972, turned out for Halifax Town, Hartlepool United and Barrow, but it was what he achieved post-retirement that cemented his football legacy.

After joining United from Everton under Ron Atkinson, Harrison took up the role of youth team manager and was retained in the position by Sir Alex Ferguson, going on to develop the famous ‘Class of 92’ that featured the likes of Gary Neville, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville.

Former United player, England captain and Class of 92 product Beckham posted an emotional tribute to Harrison on Instagram to thank him for what he taught him, both as a player and as a man.

“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,” Beckham wrote.

“He was always watching and always with us every time we played, I can still hear him telling me ‘NO MORE HOLLYWOOD PASSES’. I can still see him as we played on The Cliff training ground looking down on us either with a proud smile or a loud bang of his fist on the window knowing any minute he would be on his way down to probably advise me in the most polite way to stop playing those passes.

“More importantly he made us understand how to work hard and respect each other and not just on the pitch. We won’t forget the life lessons he gave us. Eric we love you and owe you everything. Gary, Phil, Ryan, Paul, Nicky and David.”

Gary Neville posted a tribute on twitter on Thursday that read: “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”

Another United academy product, Danny Higginbotham, said: “Eric Harrison was a wonderful coach for players coming through @ManUtd and helped produce some of the best but as much as anything he taught you how to conduct yourself and make that step from boy to man. A fantastic influence on so many including myself. RIP Eric.”

The Yorkshireman, who was born in the village of Mytholmroyd, was diagnosed with mixed dementia in 2014, and received an MBE in the 2018 New Year honours for his services to football.

Manchester United's Class of 92 pictured with coach Eric Harrison (@GNev2 / Twitter)

The illness prevented Harrison from travelling to London to collect his honour, though he eventually collected it himself at Halifax Town’s The Shay.

"If you wanted a teacher who gave you the right path forward he was that man,” Ferguson said when the award was announced. “I was really lucky as I got to know that.

David Beckham, Gary Neville and Phil Neville pictured alongside Manchester United youth coach Eric Harrison (@ManUtd / Twitter)

"Obviously the Class of 92 was the climax of his coaching career but all the young players who came through looked at his contribution.

"He was able to impart knowledge to them about the best way to be a footballer.

"Not all of them made it but the five (Beckham, Giggs, Scholes, Butt and Gary Neville), who epitomised the work he did, are a testimony to the work he did."