Scandal, success and the story of a football pioneer who links Manchester United and Real Betis

Patrick O'Connell's life story takes some telling.

A footballer whose talent took him from Ireland to England and the Manchester United captaincy. A man who was embroiled in one of football's biggest betting scandals and who left his wife and children for a second life in Spain. A manager who is regarded as the saviour of Barcelona and who took Real Betis to their sole La Liga title.

With Betis and United meeting for the first time in a competitive fixture this week, O'Connell's tale is a timely one. He's revered in Spain. Indeed travelling United fans heading to the Benito Villamarín Stadium for the second leg of the Europa League tie next week will be able to see a bust honouring the Irishman outside the stadium.

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His Betis side usurped the giants of Real Madrid to claim the 1935 Championship. Eighty eight years on it remains the only time the side from Sevilla have been crowned Champions.

It earned O'Connell a job at Barcelona where, with the Spanish Civil War raging, he was at the helm during a tumultuous period of the club's history. They were saved from bankruptcy only by touring foreign shores for money, Harlem Globetrotters style. The squad sailed to Mexico and then New York for exhibition games and the revenue preserved Barca. His name is etched in Nou Camp history, just as it is in Betis where he was affectionately known as 'Don Patricio.'

"At Betis, what he did was really special," says Sue O'Connell, wife of Patrick's grandson Mike and author of the book The Man Who Saved FC Barcelona, which this year is being translated into Catalan. "They remember him to this day because that is the only time they have ever won La Liga.

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