Oliver Phillips pays tribute to a ‘lovely man’ in Ken Furphy who took Watford to new heights

As they entered the second tier for the first time in Watford’s history, he plotted the route to the Hornets’ first-ever FA Cup Semi-Final with victories over Stoke and Liverpool before falling to Chelsea at the final hurdle.

Sadly the man, who died at a Teignmouth nursing home on Saturday lunchtime, was unable to recall his triumphs during his final years, for Alzheimer’s had claimed the 83-year-old for three years or more. “He still had his smile but that was about all,” said his son Keith, the former Watford ballboy.

Furph’, as he referred to himself, went on to manage Blackburn Rovers, Sheffield United, New York Cosmos, other Stateside clubs and Team America – a side cobbled together from those plying their trade in the USA, as part of the country’s Bi-Centennial celebrations.

But it was at Watford where Ken achieved his most memorable successes, fashioning his sides from the league’s bargain basement as he worked at Vicarage Road on a shoestring budget.

He was one of the new breed of managers, who had been a journeyman full-back playing for Runcorn, Darlington and Workington after being shown the door as a young player at Everton.

He was badly hit by the disappointment of Goodison Park but while not blessed with great talent even in a lower division context, he forged a career through commitment, hard work and determination and retained a questioning attitude towards those blessed with greater talent if they did not pull their weight in the more mundane aspects of the game.

Enjoying success as a player-manager with Workington by steering them to Division Three, and chalking up some useful cup successes against bigger opponents, Ken moved to Watford in October 1964: a time when football in this country was on the cusp of a sea change in thinking.

He was unlucky in that he followed Bill McGarry into the Vicarage Road hot-seat, a few months after the Hornets, with Z-Cars adopted as their theme, had picked up a club record of 58 points, just missing out on promotion. McGarry had sold the two stars – Pat Jennings and Charlie Livesey – and with the hangover from the disappointment of the previous season, the squad was lacking direction.

The professional game in England was full of skilful players, many who turned it on for half-an-hour and coasted through the remainder; believing their skill could turn results. Application and 100 per cent, let alone the footballers’ fabled 110 per cent, were thin on the ground.

McGarry based his football on counter-attacking from a solid defensive base, a new concept because hitherto football was won by the team that scored the most. Furphy embraced the concept of containing the opposition and then destroying; reasoning that the side that conceded the least will be in the hat at the end of the season.

He wanted committed, hard-working players, knowing full well that such ingredients can all but bridge the shortfall in skill. His budget was limited and during his time he saw his squad reduced to 18 or 19 professionals.

Despite such handicaps and limitations, he reshaped a squad that drew 0-0 at home to Liverpool in the FA Cup and lost out on promotion during the final two weeks.

He was not instantly embraced by the Watford public at large, mainly because he did not have an international pedigree and they did not rate him as a player while, in general, his signings lacked eye-catching quality.

He also played the “numbers game”, which was prevalent at the time, handing in team-sheets which gave little clue as to where the players would be playing: a left-back with a number seven on his back, etc.

However, he had introduced Meet the Manager sessions from the first month of his appointment, meeting groups of perhaps 20 fans, who had written in to apply to attend, and fielding their views and explaining his philosophy.

Sometimes it was an uphill climb, for fans wanted big, free-scoring centre-forwards, cunning midfielders and speedy wingers and excitement but Furph’ was at the forefront of the new thinking and would point out that in 1968/69, the Hornets won promotion with what was really a pyramid formation – a trend that was to come to the fore 20 years later.

“When he spoke, you listened,” recalled Graham Taylor, “because you were aware he knew what he was talking about. He was also a lovely man and we got on very well.”

Ken assembled a squad with six free-transfer signings plus another pivotal signing, pub-striker Barry Endean for a £50 donation. His champions also included three players who would become Watford legends: Keith Eddy, Duncan Welbourne and Stewart Scullion for a combined total of under £4,000.

“Because Ken had faith in me, I began to have faith in myself. Without him I would still be in Barrow,” admitted Keith Eddy, a successful businessman in Florida.

“He did brilliant for me and brilliant for Watford on what amounted to no more than loose change. He never had any real money to spend,” said Tom Walley, who Furph’ recruited as a key player but who later served the Hornets as one of the finest youth coaches in the country.

Ken’s transfer dealings were inspired and they had to be, for chairman Jim Bonser was looking to build what became the Main Stand extension (£50,000) and sign a new 150-year lease for the ground (£50,000).

Furph’ was forced to part with the young future England International Tony Currie and later Bonser sold Eddy, Scullion and another Furphy-recruited youngster, Colin Franks, for big fees – all to Sheffield United. Ironically, Ken was to manage them all again at Sheffield United and later in the USA.

After leading Manchester United at Old Trafford, Watford fell to Denis Law in the replay and then went on to win promotion, and there have been moments in the last week when I have recalled those voices from long ago, emanating from the old Rookery Stand to the sound of Keith West’s Excerpt from a Teenage Opera (Grocer Jack): “Ken Furphy, Ken Furphy! Is it true what people say you’re leading us to Division Two-oo?”

Watford fans, up until then, had only the Cliff Holton season and promotion from the fourth division to savour but Division Two was a pipe-dream until Furph’ created memories, which we never thought we would see the like of again, with a run to the FA Cup semi-finals brightening two seasons of struggle in the second tier.

Furph’ broke attendance records at Vicarage Road; took the club to its highest position in the football firmament the Hornets had enjoyed up to then, and his seven-year tenure was marked by some memorable players and some outstanding tactical triumphs.

For much of his time at Watford, he was expected to plough the bargain-basement for players to sustain Championship-level football. He was a shrewd judge of a player and a master tactician.

He was a charming, warm and friendly man whose company I relished. I recall once claiming Pele played one-twos off the shins of his opponents, which had him almost doubled up as he dismissed my suggestion.

Five years later, after managing Pele at New York Cosmos, he told me: “I thought to myself: Oli’s right after all.”

I mention that not because I was justified but to show that Furph’ was as big-hearted as he was generous.

“You should have a statue erected for what you have achieved after 50 years of under-achievement at this club,” I told him once.

“Pointing north,” he chuckled, referring to his constant scouting missions for free transfers. Then he added; “Next to the Town Hall Nude,” naming the controversial statue that had been erected at the time.

After securing Bonser’s promise to bring monied men on the board, the chairman reneged.

“You have done as much as you can,” advised his room-mate at the summer coaching school. “You should take the Blackburn job.” Furphy took the young Graham Taylor’s advice and, years later, Graham phoned Ken and explained he had an offer to join top-flight West Brom or Elton John’s Division Four Watford.

“He was adamant I should choose Watford. I have a lot to be thankful to him for,” said Graham, who was to recruit Ken to his England set-up, preparing dossiers on opponents.

Ken left Watford, and the club soon found itself back in the fourth tier. Furph’ never quite replicated his success elsewhere but was well regarded throughout the game.

I remember once seeing a young manager leaving Ken’s office, with sheets of training routines and blueprints of Ken’s work outs.

I recognised the young man instantly. He had come for guidance and left very happy for Ken’s support. His name was Bobby Robson.

When his Team America beat England 1-0 in that Bi-Centennial match, Furph’ might have enjoyed an extra smile for the scorer was Scullion.

I recall during the promotion season, fans booed one of his substitutions. “We’re going for promotion. If I put a horse and cart on with a number 11 on its back, they should cheer encouragement.”

Some fans were annoyed by this and later, at his own testimonial, he did consider poking fun at himself by sending out a horse and cart with number 11 on his back.

He was a very human being, and I can see him sitting there saying out loud to himself “Oh dear, dear, dear. What are you going to do now Furph’?”

He gave me some very good and fond memories but perhaps the fondest was of an apprehensive young man going down to Vicarage Road to interview the club’s new manager for the first time.

“You seem nervous,” said Ken.

“It is my first day on this job,” I explained.

“It is my first day, too. Let’s muddle along together.”

We did and I thanked him for it many times. He was indeed a lovely man and my life and those of Watford’s fans were richer for his passing our way. Graham Taylor out-achieved him at Vicarage Road, but, as they say, you always remember the first time.

Very much a family man, Ken leaves his wife Doris, children Keith and Susan and grandchildren. The funeral takes place in Teignmouth, Devon, at the Methodist Church, Somerset Place on Tuesday (3pm), with a reception at the Langston Cliff Hotel, Dawlish Warren.