Frank O'Farrell's playing days: Crossing the tracks - from Western Rovers to West Ham

The Western Rovers minor soccer team pictured at Turners Cross. Included is Frank O'Farrell (back row, third from left). 22/06/1945 Ref. 899C /Old black and white /100 Cork Sporting Heroes ( Volume 1)

Frank O’Farrell was so pleased that he crossed the tracks to enjoy a long and distinguished career in football. As a youngster, all this young Irish lad ever wanted to do was drive trains like his Dad. “I’ve been blessed and I can have no complaints about the opportunities that life has given me,” said the Corkman who sailed across the Irish Sea to join West Ham from now defunct Cork United in January 1948.

Born in Dublin Hill, Blackpool. When Frank was five, the family moved to Turner’s Cross. Whatever talent he had for soccer had been nurtured by teacher Gerald Fitzgerald in the South Monastery, where he attended before the opening of Christ The King. There he captained the school team which defeated North Mon in the U14 final at Douglas. Luckily for him, Br Dermot, trainer, turned a blind eye as he was beginning his soccer career with Nicholas Rovers.