David Murphy (footballer)
Encyclopedia
David Paul Murphy is an English professional footballer who plays for Birmingham City
. Murphy, born in Hartlepool
, County Durham
, is a defender
who plays at left back.
, and had a spell on loan at Barnsley
. He scored once during his time at Middlesbrough, during a League Cup tie with Northampton in September 2001. He was released by Middlesbrough and signed for Hibernian
in the summer of 2004 after making a trial appearance against Cardiff City
in a pre-season friendly. Murphy was a player that manager Tony Mowbray
became aware of through contacts at Middlesbrough.
Murphy went on to become an important part of a relatively successful Hibernian side, which won the Scottish League Cup in 2007
. On 6 October 2007, Murphy scored the winning goal in a 1–0 victory against Rangers
at Ibrox Stadium
to send Hibernian top of the league for the first time in seven years.
for a fee of £1.5 million. He made his first-team debut on 2 February 2008 in the Premier League against Derby County
, taking over the position from Franck Queudrue
. He scored his first goal for Birmingham on the final day of the season, but this was not enough to stave off relegation
to the Championship
. Murphy began the 2008–09 season as first-choice left back, and largely held off competition from Queudrue as the latter was more often needed at centre-back. Towards the end of the season he suffered a broken kneecap which caused him to miss the whole of the 2009–10 Premier League season as Liam Ridgewell
, nominally a centre back, established himself as first choice left back.
On his return to first-team action, Murphy scored the opening goal as Birmingham beat Rochdale
in the second round of the League Cup
in August 2010. He was an unused substitute as Birmingham went on to win the competition, defeating favourites Arsenal
2–1 in the final
. Murphy made his first appearance of the 2011–12 season in the Europa League play-off round first leg against Portuguese club Nacional, the first time that Birmingham had participated in major European competition for nearly 50 years. He scored Birmingham's first goal as they beat Club Brugge 2–1 away in the Europa League group stage.
, who signed Murphy for Birmingham, said that while he was Scotland
manager he had investigated whether Murphy was eligible to play for Scotland. It transpired that Murphy had no Scottish ancestors and was therefore ineligible. Murphy himself looked into whether he could play for the Republic of Ireland
, but it transpired that he was also ineligible for that country. Murphy's closest Irish relation, a great-grandparent, was one generation too far back to confer qualification.
Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
. Murphy, born in Hartlepool
Hartlepool
Hartlepool is a town and port in North East England.It was founded in the 7th century AD, around the Northumbrian monastery of Hartlepool Abbey. The village grew during the Middle Ages and developed a harbour which served as the official port of the County Palatine of Durham. A railway link from...
, County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
, is a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who plays at left back.
Club career
Murphy started his career with MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
, and had a spell on loan at Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
. He scored once during his time at Middlesbrough, during a League Cup tie with Northampton in September 2001. He was released by Middlesbrough and signed for 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 the summer of 2004 after making a trial appearance against Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
in a pre-season friendly. Murphy was a player that manager Tony Mowbray
Tony Mowbray
Anthony Mark "Tony" Mowbray is an English former professional football player, who is currently the manager of Middlesbrough...
became aware of through contacts at Middlesbrough.
Murphy went on to become an important part of a relatively successful Hibernian side, which won the Scottish League Cup in 2007
Scottish League Cup 2006-07
The 2006–07 Scottish League Cup was the 61st staging of the Scotland's second most prestigious football knockout competition, also known for sponsorship reasons as the CIS Insurance Cup....
. On 6 October 2007, Murphy scored the winning goal in a 1–0 victory 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...
at Ibrox Stadium
Ibrox Stadium
Ibrox Stadium is a football stadium located on the south side of the River Clyde, on Edmiston Drive in the Ibrox district of Glasgow. It is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Rangers and has an all-seated capacity of 51,082...
to send Hibernian top of the league for the first time in seven years.
Birmingham City
On 17 January 2008, Murphy signed for Birmingham CityBirmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
for a fee of £1.5 million. He made his first-team debut on 2 February 2008 in the Premier League against Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
, taking over the position from Franck Queudrue
Franck Queudrue
Franck Queudrue is a French footballer who plays as a left back for Lens. He began his career with Lens, for whom he played in Ligue 1, and went on to play in the Premier League for Middlesbrough, Fulham and Birmingham City, and in the Football League for Colchester United.-Lens:Queudrue began his...
. He scored his first goal for Birmingham on the final day of the season, but this was not enough to stave off relegation
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
to the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
. Murphy began the 2008–09 season as first-choice left back, and largely held off competition from Queudrue as the latter was more often needed at centre-back. Towards the end of the season he suffered a broken kneecap which caused him to miss the whole of the 2009–10 Premier League season as Liam Ridgewell
Liam Ridgewell
Liam Matthew Ridgewell is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Birmingham City. He is primarily a centre half but can also play at left back. Previously a player for Birmingham's arch-rivals Aston Villa, Ridgewell also spent a spell on loan at A.F.C. Bournemouth in 2002.-Early...
, nominally a centre back, established himself as first choice left back.
On his return to first-team action, Murphy scored the opening goal as Birmingham beat Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
in the second round of the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
in August 2010. He was an unused substitute as Birmingham went on to win the competition, defeating favourites Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
2–1 in the final
2011 Football League Cup Final
The 2011 Football League Cup Final was the final match of the 2010–11 Football League Cup, the 51st season of the Football League Cup, a football competition for the 92 teams in the Premier League and the Football League. The match was contested by Arsenal and Birmingham City, at Wembley Stadium in...
. Murphy made his first appearance of the 2011–12 season in the Europa League play-off round first leg against Portuguese club Nacional, the first time that Birmingham had participated in major European competition for nearly 50 years. He scored Birmingham's first goal as they beat Club Brugge 2–1 away in the Europa League group stage.
International career
Alex McLeishAlex McLeish
Alexander "Alex" McLeish , is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager, who is currently managing English Premier League club Aston Villa...
, who signed Murphy for Birmingham, said that while he was Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
manager he had investigated whether Murphy was eligible to play for Scotland. It transpired that Murphy had no Scottish ancestors and was therefore ineligible. Murphy himself looked into whether he could play for the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
, but it transpired that he was also ineligible for that country. Murphy's closest Irish relation, a great-grandparent, was one generation too far back to confer qualification.
Honours
Hibernian- Scottish League CupScottish League CupThe 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...
winner: 20072007 Scottish League Cup FinalThe 2007 Scottish League Cup Final was played on 18 March 2007 at Hampden Park in Glasgow and was the 60th Scottish League Cup Final. The final was contested by Kilmarnock and Hibernian, who had never met before in a Cup Final...
Birmingham City
- Football League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
winner: 20112011 Football League Cup FinalThe 2011 Football League Cup Final was the final match of the 2010–11 Football League Cup, the 51st season of the Football League Cup, a football competition for the 92 teams in the Premier League and the Football League. The match was contested by Arsenal and Birmingham City, at Wembley Stadium in...