Huddersfield Town lost another link with the Bill Shankly era after the death last Sunday of former player Ollie Conmy, aged 74.
It was the legendary Liverpool manager who brought the winger, who was born in Ireland before moving with his family to Dewsbury at the age of nine, to Leeds Road in December 1957.
Conmy, originally from Mulrany, County Mayo and a future Republic of Ireland international, was spotted while playing for junior side St Paulinius and recruited as he turned 18.
By the time Conmy made his first-team debut in October 1960, Shankly had moved on, but was the opposition manager as Town were beaten 4-2 at home to Liverpool in Division II.
Conmy, understudy to the talented and consistent Kevin McHale, managed only five first-team appearances before joining Peterborough United during the 1964 close-season.
He was a huge hit with Posh, playing 304 times in eight years, scoring 44 goals, helping them reach the FA Cup quarter-finals in 1965 and winning five Eire caps.
And it was later claimed Shankly wanted to take him to Anfield, only for the London Road club to resist his overtures – without informing the player!
“They didn’t have to tell them of enquiries in those days – how times have changed!” said his son Ben, who played for Peterborough’s junior team.
“But Shankly was a big influence on my dad – he and my mum Rosalie held him in the highest regard – and he used to tell me great stories of when both Shankly and Denis Law were at Town.
“There was also a time when both Peterborough and Liverpool had a pre-match meal at the same hotel.
“Shankly recognised my dad, and promptly came over and sat down next to him, leaving all the Peterborough players open mouthed!”
Conmy ended his career at non-league Cambridge City and coached Peterborough’s youth team before becoming a civil servant in the city.
He retired to Southport in 2001, and never forgot his early footballing days under Shankly and alongside Law at Leeds Road.
“He always spoke so highly of Town and his time there and looked out for their results, just as I do,” added Ben.
