Manchester United managed to persuade Rev John Boyers to stay at the club after he expected to retire aged 65 in March 2014. Boyers had joined United in 1992 as the club's chaplain and he eventually bid his farewells to Old Trafford after more than 26 years of service in December 2018, which meant he had outlasted Sir Alex Ferguson, who brought him to Manchester.
The Grimsby-born lad had seen it all during those special years. He had unprecedented access during the most successful period in the club's history, encountering triumphs and disappointments, managerial changes and everything in between.
That's because Rev Boyers was Manchester United's chaplain, providing confidential availability to all employees, from part-time cleaners to footballing superstars. He was a sort of pastoral and spiritual safety net for any and all who wished to use him.
