Colin Murdock
Encyclopedia
Colin Murdock is a Northern Irish
former footballer.
He is currently a trainee solicitor at Manchester law firm George Davies LLP. He also is a member of The Football Association's Football Judicial Panel.
, Murdock started his career as an apprentice at Manchester United
on leaving school in 1991. He featured in the youth side that were FA Youth Cup
runners-up in 1993 and turned professional a year later, but never played a first team game for the club and was transferred to Preston
for £165,000 in May 1997.
Murdock made more than 200 league and cup appearances while at Deepdale
, collecting a Division Two
title medal in 2000 and featuring in the side that reached the Division One
playoff final in 2001 (losing 3–0 to Bolton Wanderers
) before moving to Scottish club Hibernian
in 2003. This gave him the long-awaited chance to experience top division football. During his time at Easter Road
, he went from villain to hero when he scored the winning goal in a penalty shootout against Rangers
in a CIS Cup
semi-final.
Murdock joined Crewe
in the latter part of 2004–05. He skippered the team and his form helped to steer them clear of relegation. In summer 2005, Murdock signed for Rotherham
, where he captained the team and brought experience to the centre of the Rotherham defence, making 43 league appearances in two seasons, scoring twice. At the end of the 2006–07 season after a season blighted by injuries he left Rotherham. Following a brief trial period he signed a one-year contract with Shrewsbury. He made 29 league appearances and scored two goals for the Shrews, but was released by new manager Paul Simpson
on 29 April 2008.
On 16 May 2008, Murdock signed a one-year deal with Accrington Stanley .
At the end of season 2008/09 Murdock retired from professional football after 17 years and 417 appearances to commence a new career as a sports lawyer.
. He scored one goal, a powerful header, in a 3–3 draw against Austria
in 2004.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
former footballer.
He is currently a trainee solicitor at Manchester law firm George Davies LLP. He also is a member of The Football Association's Football Judicial Panel.
Club career
A former Northern Ireland internationalNorthern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
, Murdock started his career as an apprentice at Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
on leaving school in 1991. He featured in the youth side that were FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
runners-up in 1993 and turned professional a year later, but never played a first team game for the club and was transferred to Preston
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
for £165,000 in May 1997.
Murdock made more than 200 league and cup appearances while at Deepdale
Deepdale
Deepdale is a stadium in the Deepdale area of Preston, England, the home of Preston North End F.C. and, up to 2010, England's National Football Museum. Preston North End are one of the founder members of the Football League.- History :...
, collecting a Division Two
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
title medal in 2000 and featuring in the side that reached the Division One
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
playoff final in 2001 (losing 3–0 to Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
) before moving to Scottish club Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
in 2003. This gave him the long-awaited chance to experience top division football. During his time at Easter Road
Easter Road
Easter Road is a football stadium located in the Leith area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hibernian . The stadium currently has an all-seated capacity of 20,421, which makes it the fifth-largest football stadium in Scotland. Easter Road is also...
, he went from villain to hero when he scored the winning goal in a penalty shootout against Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
in a CIS Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
semi-final.
Murdock joined Crewe
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
in the latter part of 2004–05. He skippered the team and his form helped to steer them clear of relegation. In summer 2005, Murdock signed for Rotherham
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
, where he captained the team and brought experience to the centre of the Rotherham defence, making 43 league appearances in two seasons, scoring twice. At the end of the 2006–07 season after a season blighted by injuries he left Rotherham. Following a brief trial period he signed a one-year contract with Shrewsbury. He made 29 league appearances and scored two goals for the Shrews, but was released by new manager Paul Simpson
Paul Simpson (footballer)
Paul David Simpson is an English former footballer and manager. His son Jake is also a professional footballer.-Manchester City:...
on 29 April 2008.
On 16 May 2008, Murdock signed a one-year deal with Accrington Stanley .
At the end of season 2008/09 Murdock retired from professional football after 17 years and 417 appearances to commence a new career as a sports lawyer.
International career
Murdock earned 34 caps for Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
. He scored one goal, a powerful header, in a 3–3 draw against Austria
Austria national football team
The Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
in 2004.