Ken Furphy
Encyclopedia
Ken Furphy is an English former football player and manager.
Despite being on the books at Everton
between 1950–1951, Furphy was a lower league player with Runcorn (1951–53) Darlington
(1953–1962) and then Workington
(1962–1964). He was selected to play for the Third Division North representative side
in 1954/55.
In 1964, as Workington's player-manager, he led them into the Division 3 and left to become player-manager at Watford
where he remained for several years, winning promotion to Division 2 for the first time in the club's history in 1969, and reaching the FA Cup
semi-final a year later. He moved to Blackburn Rovers
as manager in 1971 for two seasons before being announced as the new manager of Sheffield United
on 9 December 1973.
Despite financial difficulties due to the building of the new South Stand, he led United to sixth place in the First Division, a 0-0 draw away to Birmingham City
on the last day of the 1974-75 season left them just one point short of a UEFA cup place. However, the following season started disastrously with just one win from 11 games and his contract was terminated on 6 October 1975. Furphy left for America to manage the New York
(1975–76) in the NASL
. He also coached the Miami Toros
(1976–1977), the Detroit Express
(1977–80) and the Washington Diplomats
(1981). He has also managed the national team of Bermuda
and the Cleveland Force
.
During the 2000/01 season he was appointed as a "Technical Director" of Exeter City
, to help then manager Noel Blake
as the club battled against relegation, however this tenure was short lived and he left the club after just 6 days in the job.
He has also worked for BBC Radio Devon's sports department, commentating on local football matches.
Despite being on the books at Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
between 1950–1951, Furphy was a lower league player with Runcorn (1951–53) Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
(1953–1962) and then Workington
Workington A.F.C.
Workington A.F.C. is an English football club from Workington, Cumbria. They are in the Conference North, and play their home matches at Borough Park, which has a capacity of 3,101 . The club play in red, and are known locally as the Reds...
(1962–1964). He was selected to play for the Third Division North representative side
Football League Third Division North vs. South Representative Games
The Third Division North and Third Division South of The Football League was a level in English association football, which ran from 1921 to 1958.From 1954–55 season until 1957–58 season, there was a series of games between teams representing the Third Division North and the Third Division South.-...
in 1954/55.
In 1964, as Workington's player-manager, he led them into the Division 3 and left to become player-manager at Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
where he remained for several years, winning promotion to Division 2 for the first time in the club's history in 1969, and reaching the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
semi-final a year later. He moved to Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
as manager in 1971 for two seasons before being announced as the new manager of Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
on 9 December 1973.
Despite financial difficulties due to the building of the new South Stand, he led United to sixth place in the First Division, a 0-0 draw away to Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
on the last day of the 1974-75 season left them just one point short of a UEFA cup place. However, the following season started disastrously with just one win from 11 games and his contract was terminated on 6 October 1975. Furphy left for America to manage the New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
(1975–76) in the NASL
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
. He also coached the Miami Toros
Miami Toros
The Miami Gatos were a soccer team based out of Miami that played in the North American Soccer League. The club was previously known as the Washington Darts. After the 1972 season, the team was renamed the Miami Toros...
(1976–1977), the Detroit Express
Detroit Express
The Detroit Express was a soccer team based in suburban Detroit that played in the now defunct North American Soccer League from 1978 to 1980. Its home field was the Pontiac Silverdome. The Express were co-owned and directed by famous English soccer pundit Jimmy Hill who was also the managing...
(1977–80) and the Washington Diplomats
Washington Diplomats
The Washington Diplomats were an American soccer club based in Washington, D.C.. Throughout their existence, the club played their home games at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium...
(1981). He has also managed the national team of Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
and the Cleveland Force
Cleveland Force
The Cleveland Force has been the name of two indoor soccer teams based in the Richfield, Ohio area:*Cleveland Force , of the original MISL*Cleveland Force , known as the Crunch from 1989 to 2002...
.
During the 2000/01 season he was appointed as a "Technical Director" of Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
, to help then manager Noel Blake
Noel Blake
Noel Blake is a retired footballer and current head coach of the England national under-19 football team...
as the club battled against relegation, however this tenure was short lived and he left the club after just 6 days in the job.
He has also worked for BBC Radio Devon's sports department, commentating on local football matches.