Name: Noel Euchuria Cornelius Cantwell
Date of Birth: 26th February 1932
Posh Years - Manager: 1972-1977, 1986-1988
Playing Appearances: 249 (West Ham United), 123 (Manchester United)
International Caps: 36 (14 goals) Republic of Ireland
One of Peterborough United's greatest ever Manager's - Noel Cantwell - was an obvious choice for me to induct into the Posh HALL OF FAME. Sadly Noel passed away on 8th September 2005 aged 73 years, after a battle against cancer. Unfortunately his wife Maggie was not well enough to come to London Road to receive the accolade on behalf of her late husband, but I finally managed to contact their daughter Kate Sheffield, who was delighted to accept my invitation.
On 24th April 2010 Kate attended our match against Blackpool, accompanying her were her equally charming sons Joe and Sam, Joe possesses his Grandfather's looks with that special Noel charm and glint in his eyes. Also Kate brought along her dear friend Carol and her daughter Izzy.
Sandee and I reminisced with our guests over lunch, with Kate remembering great stories about her wonderful father and all of his great footballing adventures. Our usual presentation and photos took place on the pitch just prior to the kick-off against Blackpool. Kate and her sons received a fantastic Posh welcome with the fans remembering the Great Man - Noel Cantwell.
Noel was born in Cork on 26th February 1932 as Noel Euchuria Cornelius Cantwell, a man destined to become amongst the legends of football. His career kicked-off in his native country playing at left-back for Western Rovers, then on to Cork Athletic.
He then crossed the Irish Sea to join West Ham United in September 1952 at the age of 18 and settled very quickly thus gaining his first Cap for the Republic of Ireland in 1953. Further honours were bestowed on him by representing a London XI side competing in the 1958 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Final. Also combining his football with his other love of Cricket, as he was himself a fine cricketer for Cork Bohemians with a rather unorthodox style as a left-handed batsman and a right arm medium bowler! He represented his country on five occasions between 1956 up to 1959.
Noel, then captain of The Hammers, led them to the Division Two Championship in 1957-58. After making 248 appearances scoring 11 goals, Matt Busby took Noel to Old Trafford in November 1960, for a then record fee for a full-back of £29,500. Playing alongside the 'greats' of Manchester United, Noel quickly established himself at this great club by leading them to victory in the 1963 FA Cup Final against Leicester City 3-1, plus helping them to win League titles in 1965 and again in 1967 as captain.
Noel left Old Trafford in 1967 scoring eight goals, making 123 league appearances and 14 FA Cup games. He won 36 International caps for his country and scored 14 goals when on several occasions he played at centre-forward as well as left-back and captained his side several times. As a player, Noel played with great panache and style for such a strong, well-built man. Noel also served as Chairman of the Professional Footballers Association. The next step for Noel was in October 1967 when Coventry City offered him the chance to become their manager taking over from Jimmy Hill. It proved a tough assignment, but Noel managed to keep the Sky Blues in the old First Division of top flight football and indeed led them to a creditable position of 6th place, enabling them to qualify in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup of 1969-70. On the 12th March 1972, Noel was sacked from Highfield Road. So what next he pondered, after refusing a £20,000 offer from a Greek Club.
Meanwhile life at London Road was abysmal during the first two months or so of the 1972-73 season, with Posh only achieving one win out of 13 league games. Manager Jim Iley resigned, not before time, following a crisis Board Meeting and that allowed old Posh favourite Jim Walker to be appointed as Caretaker Manager, but Posh, after a further seven games still only had won just the one game.
More drastic action was required to end this dismal run and indeed it did when on Thursday, 11th October 1972, it was announced that Noel Cantwell would be our new Manager. I, amongst the majority of fellow Posh fans, could not wait for the arrival of one of my heroes. The big day came on 14th October 1972 when he was introduced to the fans before our home game against Doncaster Rovers, what a reception and guess what? Yes, we recorded our second win of the season 3-1! This encouraged Noel to crack open the champagne for the players in the dressing room after this welcome victory and hopefully lift us up from the basement of the Football League.
Only about three weeks later, with results improving, we saw the departure of old faithful Jim Walker, after a 15 year love affair with the Club. Taking over as assistant to Noel came former Arsenal and Notts Forest star - John Barnwell. Noel entered the transfer market to pay Notts County £8,000 for striker John Cozens, followed by Eric Young from Manchester United and Keith Bradley from Aston Villa, both on loan. Since Noel was appointed Posh won 13 of their League games to climb six places and avoid re-election.
The following season 1973-74, saw Posh becoming 4th Division Champions. Noel was worshipped at London Road, with the fans christening him 'The Messiah'. He resigned from the Club in 1977 to coach a team in America called The New England Teamen, where he stayed for one year, but later returned for a further five years coaching a team called Jacksonville.
On the 19th November 1986 he returned for a second spell as Manager and once again he resurrected Posh from the ashes to finish the season in 10th position after the dismal days of John Wile at the helm. On the 12th July 1988 Noel became General Manager for one year, before quitting soccer to become a licensee of The New Inn at Peterborough. He had also previously taken over the reins at The Bull and Swan in Stamford. After 10 years behind the bar he retired, but once again football beckoned him by becoming a scout for the England National side.
The great man sadly passed away on 8th September 2005, after a battle against cancer, aged 73 years, leaving a widow Maggie and two daughters. One of the largest crowds were gathered at Peterborough Cathedral for his funeral service, with many of the Football legends in attendance.
I had the pleasure of his company on several occasions and you would always sense when Noel came into a room as he had a certain aura about him. Suddenly it would go quiet and the crowd would welcome him to a spontaneous applause. I shall always remember his beaming smile with that Irish glint in his eyes, this truly remarkable man.
This is not the only 'Hall of Fame' that Noel has been inducted into as he was honoured by his Country in recognition of one of their greatest ever Sportsmen. The players loved and respected him and so did I.
Ever to be remembered in 'The Posh Hall of Fame' Noel Cantwell, the smiling Irishman!
Noel's daughter Kate took time out to answer a few questions about her famour father.
What was it like to have a famous father?
Didn't notice it really, he was just a normal person at home. The only time you noticed it was when as a young child, I was the youngest of three, you walked through town or other places and people call out his name. He would acknowledge, but he was always really nice to everyone and I just thought he knew everyone, more often than not I would ask who they were and he said he didn't know! I didn't realise as a young child how well known he really was and it was only when I was older that I realised and thought 'WOW' he is famous. But, he never boasted about it and was a very humble man.
Who was his best friend in soccer, perhaps too many to mention?
I would say his best friend would have been either Bobby Moore or Malcolm Allison. He was Bobby's best man at his first wedding to Tina and they got on so well that my mum and dad actually went on Bobby and Tina's Honeymoon and Bobby and Tina had a big argument and dad swapped rooms and shared with Bobby and mum with Tina! Bobby also came to my brother and sister's 21st birthdays. Unfortunately Bobby passed away, but we do stay in touch with Stephanie, Bobby's second wife and we are good friends. But Malcolm what a great character, they were like the terrible twosome and they got on really well. We also get on well with Malcolm's wife.
Who did Noel most admire as a player?
This is a tricky one and one I will have to think about. I know he did admire Wayne Rooney, but he didn't think much to David Beckham amazingly! Although he did appreciate some of his skills, he admired players like Rooney who have great passion for the game and run and run. He didn't like the flashy type of players he liked the old fashioned type of players.
Do you like football - well I know I needn't ask you this question now?
Laughingly Kate replied - 'Yes, I love it.'
Would he come home in a mood if he lost a game?
No, no not at all - I know that people said he was passionate, but he didn't bring it home, he may at times have been quiet, but moody no.
What personalities have you met alongside your Dad?
My favourite Johnny Giles, he is lovely. I recall I had invited mum and dad round for Sunday lunch, they eventually arrived late, as they usually did, and they brought along this chap whom I had never seen. He wore a flat cap and sat at the dining room table and never took his cap off, but him and Dad just drank and drank, then he started to sing and he sang and sang and the stories they told. I didn't even know who Johnny Giles was but he was a real good character. Other Manchester United characters were Paddy Crerand and Dennis Law. Fortunately or unfortunately I drove Mum and Dad to Matt Busby's funeral and we were invited to go along with Maurice Setters who had just split from his wife and my Dad tried to introduce us! Another one is Bobby Charlton a lovely man - none of them have any airs and graces and we got along with all of them.
I bet there were lots of parties at your home - were you able to join in?
Yes - we were never told that children should be seen and not heard, we were all allowed a voice, sometimes a bit too much! We were always included, but we didn't have big parties, Mum and Dad were 'round the table sitting, eating and drinking' type of entertainers, my Dad could hold the table talking of his stories which would get funnier and funnier.
What other interests did Noel have?
He liked his golf and horse-racing, he loved a day at the races, he would at times take me to the races. He loved having days out with his mates, he was a man's man and he enjoyed their company. Although his life had been football he did lose some of the passion for watching football. He loved also being with his family.
What was life like in the USA?
I was only eight when we went out to the USA so I had to go to school! It was quite a difficult time, but we were all looked after very well, although my mum didn't settle very well. She got very, very homesick and I think the likes of Chris Turner, Jack Carmichael and their wives and families all lived in apartments around the golf course and they lived in a community, whereas dad as the coach, and all of us lived away from this, although in a beautiful house it was distant. Unfortunately as my mum didn't settle well we moved back with her, but my dad remained there, coming back in the close season, then we would join him in the summer which was great fun. I think to be honest my mum does regret not giving it more of a go staying out there.
What was his proudest moment?
Meeting the Queen - and lifting the FA Cup - yes it must have been the Cup final - you would have thought it should have been getting married and having children but I think this topped the lot! He also was very proud to have played cricket for Ireland, some folk didn't know he did this but he felt proud of the fact.
Where were you born Kate?
I was the third child and we were all born near a football ground! My sister and brother at Manchester and I was born at Coventry in 1970. No - it wasn't in the goal mouth!
What did your school friends think about you having a famous dad?
Having gone to school in Peterborough a lot of my friends didn't realise he had actually played for Manchester United. They knew he was Peterborough's Manager and I was at school with Lisa Morris, daughter of Peter Morris (ex-Posh Manager) and we were the 'Football Manager's children. It was never a problem, but when my dad owned a Nightclub in Peterborough then that was more interesting.
Do your children play soccer?
Joe plays rugby. When he was about two, dad would be playing in the garden with him and kicked the ball to him, but he always picked it up. Dad said I'm sure he will be a rugby player, he has a good eye for the ball. Sam loves football and again my dad would play around in the garden with him, and even at 60 you could see he still had touches, but he would be so proud of Sam, who is doing really well.
What made him become a publican?
He enjoyed the social side of things and it was a natural progression. My dad was not hugely academic, but thank God he had a talent and it was a social thing for him. He enjoyed after dinner speaking also. He did find it difficult to say 'No' - he was always a great host.
How did he take retiring from the game?
Well dad never actually left the game he got into and loved scouting and I think he was ready to get out of the immediate game. He did get into the General Manager role, but didn't enjoy it but loved the scouting aspect. He also assessed older players and thoroughly enjoyed this. He never really retired.
Your happiest memory of your Dad?
I suppose - I was going to say my wedding but that was one day so I will have to say that every time we had Sunday lunch together, it was a really good feeling to sit down and enjoy your meal and sit with all the family it was such fun. Dad was in his element with all of us around him. Yes, that's what I miss.
Pete Lane
