TRIBUTE: Death of a Posh legend
THE football world was in mourning today as legendary Posh manager Noel Cantwell died at the age of 73 following a battle with cancer.
THE football world was in mourning today as legendary Posh manager Noel Cantwell died at the age of 73 following a battle with cancer.Football League Managers Association chief executive John Barnwell – a former assistant to Noel at London Road – led the tributes to a man revered as "The Messiah" by Posh supporters.
Noel transformed Posh from also-rans to champions in just 18 months, after arriving at the club for the first time in 1972.
Mr Barnwell said: "It's been common knowledge that Noel has been ill for a long time, but I spoke to him just a week ago when he was typically cheerful and optimistic about the future.
"That summed Noel up. Nothing got him down and he was always looking on the bright side of life. My first job as a coach in football was at Peterborough, and I only took the post because of Noel.
"He invited me down to watch a cup game and I didn't fancy the job at all because there were only about 1,000 people at the match. But Noel had a wonderfully persuasive manner about him and we enjoyed a dream working relationship.
"It was a terrific time for me at Peterborough. They were the best and most productive times of my football career and that was mainly down to Noel.
"He was also one of the most senior members of the League Managers Association, and one of the most respected. We send our sincere condolences to his family."
Noel was appointed Posh manager in October 1972 when Posh were bottom of the entire Football League. Within 18 months they had won the Fourth Division title and Noel's place in London Road folklore was secure.
He left the club to manage in the United States in 1977, but returned for a second spell as Posh boss in 1986. He is the second longest-serving manager in the club's history after Barry Fry.
Noel enjoyed an outstanding playing career at West Ham and Manchester United, lifting the FA Cup as captain of the latter in 1963. He also won 36 international caps for Eire.
Posh Director of Football, Barry Fry said: "Noel was a legend, a truly great man who will be missed by us all. I knew him when I was a player at Manchester United, and he used to look out for me.
"He was loved by all the young players because of his modest personality and easy-going manner. He was my guest at my Testimonial against Manchester United in the summer, and he appeared to be in great form.
"Obviously his success at Posh speaks for itself. He was just a great man and a great manager."
The most successful manager in Posh history, Chris Turner, who played under Noel in both Peterborough and America, added: "It's a sad day for the city because Noel was a true legend. He played a big part in my life, and I don't think I would have amounted to much in football without his guidance. We were rubbish when Noel arrived, and he turned us into champions."
Posh will be holding a minute's silence in honour of Noel ahead of Saturday's League Two clash with Grimsby at London Road.
He is survived by wife Maggie and daughters Elizabeth and Kathleen.
TOMORROW: The life and times of Noel Cantwell.
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Weather for Peterborough
Thursday 18 March 2010
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