Paul Murray (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Paul Murray is a footballer who plays in midfield for Hartlepool United
He started his career at Carlisle United
and made his Football League debut for them on 27 December 1993, coming on as a substitute against Darlington
. In May 1996 he joined QPR
on loan, making his debut at Nottingham Forest
. After the Hoops' relegation
that season, he joined the team permanently for a transfer fee of £300,000. Whilst at Q.P.R. he was called up four times for the England U21
squad, and in February 1998 he made his solitary appearance for England B
as a substitute against Chile
. He enjoyed a successful time at Loftus Road
, playing 140 league games before he joined Premiership side Southampton
in 2001, though he played only one game for the south coast side.
In December 2001 Murray joined Oldham Athletic
, where he spent three and a half years, before he joined Portuguese club Beira-Mar. He re-joined Carlisle United in the close-season of 2006 after their promotion to League One
, and scored against Doncaster Rovers
in the opening game of the 2006–07
season. This was the first match for new manager Neil McDonald. He was released by the club in May 2007.
Murray joined newly-promoted Scottish Premier League
outfit Gretna
in June 2007 on a one-year contract.
With his contract expired at Gretna, Murray turned down a number of clubs to move south of the border and join League Two
side Shrewsbury Town
in May 2008, alongside former team mate Stephen Hindmarch
. After two years at the club he was released on 14 May 2010.
He joined up with Hartlepool United
on trial in the summer of 2010 and signed a short term deal with the club in August 2010.
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
He started his career at Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
and made his Football League debut for them on 27 December 1993, coming on as a substitute against Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
. In May 1996 he joined QPR
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
on loan, making his debut at Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
. After the Hoops' 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...
that season, he joined the team permanently for a transfer fee of £300,000. Whilst at Q.P.R. he was called up four times for the England U21
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
squad, and in February 1998 he made his solitary appearance for England B
England B national football team
England B is a secondary football team run occasionally as support for the England national football team. At times they have played other nations' full teams; they have also played matches against 'B' teams from other football associations...
as a substitute against Chile
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
. He enjoyed a successful time at Loftus Road
Loftus Road
Loftus Road is a football stadium in Shepherd's Bush, London. It is home to the English football team Queens Park Rangers of the Premier League and has a capacity of around 18,500. The four stands are called the Loftus Road End , Ellerslie Road Stand, South Africa Road Stand and the School End,...
, playing 140 league games before he joined Premiership side Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in 2001, though he played only one game for the south coast side.
In December 2001 Murray joined Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
, where he spent three and a half years, before he joined Portuguese club Beira-Mar. He re-joined Carlisle United in the close-season of 2006 after their promotion to League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
, and scored against Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
in the opening game of the 2006–07
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
season. This was the first match for new manager Neil McDonald. He was released by the club in May 2007.
Murray joined newly-promoted Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
outfit Gretna
Gretna F.C.
Gretna Football Club was a Scottish football club that represented the town of Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway, close to the border between England and Scotland...
in June 2007 on a one-year contract.
With his contract expired at Gretna, Murray turned down a number of clubs to move south of the border and join League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
in May 2008, alongside former team mate Stephen Hindmarch
Stephen Hindmarch
Stephen David Hindmarch is an English footballer who currently plays for Western Suburbs in the New Zealand Central Premier League as a Attacking Midfielder/Striker.-Early life:...
. After two years at the club he was released on 14 May 2010.
He joined up with Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
on trial in the summer of 2010 and signed a short term deal with the club in August 2010.