Former Everton coach Eric Harrison has died at the age of 81.
Harrison’s coaching career started in the ranks at Goodison Park in 1972 under legendary manager Harry Catterick before joining Manchester United nine years later.
He served in a number of positions with the Blues’ backroom staff including three years as assistant manager to Gordon Lee from 1978 until his departure.
Among his notable contributions was lifting the FA Youth Cup in 1977 with a side featuring the likes of Kevin Ratcliffe, Steve McMahon and Mark Higgins.
His role at Old Trafford saw him develop the club’s youth set-up and nurture a crop of household names that went on to form the iconic Class of 92.
David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes were among the players to graduate from the Red Devils’ homegrown crop under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Scholes became the fourth member of the collective to move into management earlier this week as he was appointed the new manager of Oldham Athletic.
During his 27 years with United, Harrison also won the Youth Cup two further times in 1992 and 1995 and was awarded an MBE for services to football.
Gary Neville, a core member of the Class of 92, paid tribute to his former mentor.
“We’ve lost our mentor, our coach and the man who made us,” he wrote on Twitter.
“He taught us how to play, how to never give up, how important it was to win your individual battles and what we needed to do to play for Manchester United Football Club.
“Eric we owe you everything.”