Forget the Wags, pass me the dog collar: Former Manchester United teammate of Beckham and Giggs trains to become Catholic priest

By GAVIN ALLEN
Updated:


Man in black: Former Manchester United footballer Phil Mulryne, 34, is training to become a catholic priest

Man in black: Former Manchester United footballer Phil Mulryne, 34, is training to become a catholic priest

With professional footballers hitting the front pages for their extra-curricular activities almost as often as the back pages for their sporting exploits, we don't expect them to behave like priests.

But one modern day pro is attempting to change that image by swapping the bright lights and celebrity lifestyle for a more spiritual existence.

Phil Mulryne, a former team mate of Ryan Giggs and David Beckham at Manchester United, is training to become a Catholic priest.

Mulryne, 34, has enrolled at the Pontifical Irish College in Rome.

The ex-Northern Ireland international midfielder is going into the church after carving out a successful career at United and Norwich City and Cardiff City.

He was at United in June 1998 when Beckham shocked the football - and fashion world - by being snapped in a sarong.
However, Mulryne will now out do his illustrious former team-mate by donning the full black dress.

Mulryne has enjoyed his fair share of worship from fans during his career, but it hasn't always run smoothly.

He was once sent home in disgrace from a Northern Ireland squad in 2005 after breaking a curfew to go drinking with team-mate Jeff Whitely.

Playing days: Mulryne in the canary yellow strip of Norwich City, much brighter than his latest garb
High point: Mulryne played for Manchester United from 1996¿1999 before moving to Norwich for £500,000
Playing days: Mulryne in the canary yellow strip of Norwich City, left, and the red of Manchester United, right, which are much brighter outfits than his latest garb

And like many modern day footballers, he had a glamourous girlfriend, having dated the model Nicola Chapman, who appeared on Real Footballer's Wives 2005.

Paul McVeigh, who played alongside Mulryne at Norwich, said he had visited his friend in the Italian capital and was stunned when he found out.

'Unfortunately, Phil struggled with injuries towards the end of his career and decided to stop playing and move back to Belfast and try and decide what he'd do with the rest of his days,' said McVeigh.

Career change: Mulryne has made the move after enrolling at the Pontifical Irish College in Rome, pictured

Career change: Mulryne has made the move after enrolling at the Pontifical Irish College in Rome, pictured

'To my amazement, and most likely to the rest of the footballing fraternity's, Phil decided to train to become a Catholic priest.

'I was still in contact with him and knew that he had turned his life around and was doing a lot of charitable work and helping the homeless on a weekly basis.

'Still, it was a complete shock that he felt this was his calling.'

Off the wing for a prayer: Midfielder Mulryne will wear the black clothes and dog collar worn here by clerical singing trio The Priests

Off the wing for a prayer: Midfielder Mulryne will wear the black clothes and dog collar worn here by clerical singing trio The Priests

Mulryne, who won 27 caps, moved to Norwich from Manchester United for £500,000 in 1998. He went on to Cardiff City and Leyton Orient before finishing at non-league King~s Lynn.

'I know for a fact that this is not something he took lightly as the training to be ordained as a Catholic priest consists of a two-year philosophy degree, followed by a four-year theology degree and only after that will he finally be qualified as a priest,' said McVeigh.

'When I arrived in Rome, I was met by a very contented-looking Phil who took me back to the Irish college where he was to be based for the next four years.'

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