Pat Crerand

Lore & Background

Crerand was born to Irish immigrants in the Gorbals area of Glasgow on 19 February 1939. His father, Michael Crerand, was from Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, and his mother, Sarah Boyle, was from Gweedore, County Donegal, where Crerand spent much of his childhood. His father was killed on 12 March 1941 in a German air raid on John Brown's shipyard in Clydebank. Crerand married Noreen Ferry in 1963. They have three children, Patrick, Lorraine and Danny, the latter of whom was also a professional footballer. A cousin, Charlie Gallagher, also later became a footballer with Celtic. In 2007, he released his autobiography, Never Turn the Other Cheek. Crerand became involved in Irish politics during the Troubles; he said in his autobiography that he was a friend of John Hume and he had talked to IRA members, including Martin McGuinness, in an effort to resolve the rent strikes of 1975.

Reader's Guide

Crerand signed for Celtic after a spell playing Scottish junior football for Duntocher Hibernian. After six years at Celtic, making 120 appearances and scoring five goals, he signed for Manchester United on 6 February 1963. He made his debut against Blackpool. A hard-tackling right half known for his tenacity, he was also an accurate passer.

He helped United to the league championship in 1965 and 1967 and won the 1963 FA Cup final and 1968 European Cup final. He represented the Scotland national side on 16 occasions and the Scottish Football League XI. Crerand was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame in November 2011. On 13 May 1967, Crerand had an altercation with Peter Dobing of Stoke City; TV cameras picked up Crerand spitting over his shoulder at opponent Tony Allen.

The International Board changed the Laws of the Game to put spitting on a par with violent conduct. Crerand retired from playing in 1971, having appeared in 401 games. He became a coach at Manchester United and was assistant manager under Tommy Docherty in December 1972. He left Old Trafford in 1976 and was manager of Northampton Town in 1976–77. He covered Manchester United matches on local radio in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Roots and Family Life

Born to Irish immigrants in the Gorbals area of Glasgow on 19 February 1939, Crerand's father Michael was killed in a German air raid on Clydebank when Patrick was two. He married Noreen Ferry in 1963; they have three children (Patrick, Lorraine, and Danny) and eight grandchildren. His cousin Charlie Gallagher also became a Celtic footballer. In 2007, he released the autobiography Never Turn the Other Cheek, detailing his involvement in Irish politics during the Troubles.

Manchester United Playing Days

Crerand moved to Manchester United on 6 February 1963 and won two English League titles (1965, 1967), the FA Cup (1963), the FA Charity Shield twice (1965, 1967), and the European Cup (1968). He gained 16 international caps for Scotland. A hard-tackling right half, he was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame in November 2011.

The Law-Changing Incident

Although the referee was unaware and only cautioned players for their altercation, the Football League investigated. The International Board subsequently changed the Laws of the Game to treat spitting as violent conduct and a dismissible offence.

Broadcasting Career and Public Perception

After managing Northampton Town in 1976–77, Crerand forged a media career starting on radio and later co-commentating for MUTV. He hosted The Paddy Crerand Show until it ended in 2019 after 252 episodes. In February 2009, he visited Malta to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Malta Manchester United Supporters' Club.