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Terry Murphy (1940-2019)

Terry Murphy (1940-2019)

Phil Chadwick20 Aug 2019 - 14:58
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https://www.wittonalbionfc.co.

Our tribute to Mid-Cheshire's "Mr Football"

Terry’s passing away last Saturday morning, whilst out doing his regular parkrun in Carey Park, has truly saddened not only the whole of the Mid-Cheshire community but all who have had association with “Murph” from neighbouring areas.

It’s a nigh on impossible task to try and list his full career in football and very much the same when it comes to the issues he was involved with as he showed his care and concern for the locals in his role as a Town Councillor.

So many wonderful tributes are viewable on several social media sites and when at Whitby, we learnt of what had happened, all who knew him were stunned and tearful. Well here goes with what I’ve managed to come up with on the great man!

Terry was born in the Walton Park area of Liverpool on January 14th 1940 the second son, after elder brother Edward, to Edward & Margaret Murphy. The family moved into mid-Cheshire a few years later and were extended when his siblings Christine, Vince and Michael were brought into the world.

Working, together with the vast amount of local mensfolk at the time for ICI Alkali, Terry soon developed a flair for soccer. He made his debut for Knutsford as a 17-year-old inside left, scoring two goals in a 6-1 win at Wilmslow Albion on April 18, 1957. Terry moved to Stockport for a short spell, then back to Knutsford for the 1958-59 season and on to Middlewich Athletic before signing for Northwich Vics, debuting at Macclesfield in a 1-1 draw on December 5th 1959.

In his 18 months at the Drill Field he made 58 appearances and scored 4 times, two of these coming in the same match, against Wigan Rovers on September 21st 1960. Playing as a left-half back he was signed by Football League Crewe Alexandra for the 1961-62 season but only got to make a single First Team appearance for the Alex. Cue, Witton Albion’s first entry on to his cv!

August 22nd 1962 then, a Wednesday evening Cheshire League encounter with the Chester Reserve outfit. 950 watching at the Central Ground and a 2-2 draw with the Albion team being: Ged Johnson, Jack Dobson, Keith Higgins, Terry Murphy, Mal Wagstaffe, Colin Jones, Tony Bailey, Ray Gryba, Stan Berrington, Johnny Lovell & Alex Croft.
Only played the one season in the Red & White stripes, making 35 appearances and actually netting 6 times, mainly due to him going left-wing part way through, that saw him score 4 times in 6 games including one against Wigan Athletic, who were no great shakes back then. We’ll not dwell too much on his last appearance, as the Albs got trounced 0-8 at Macclesfield, on May 15th 1963.

A notable and very much nicer landmark though had occurred when In early 1963 he got married to a certain young Northwich slip of a girl by the name of Emily Ann Powell and they in the next half dozen years duly introduced Debra & Lee to the good folk of Northwich.

Off then Terry went to make his first acquaintance with Rhyl FC. However. five years to the very day, he was back in local football, re-joining the Vics with his first couple of the games being 1-3 away defeats ironically to Runcorn and Witton! He ended the season extending to 85 appearances his Vics’ total tally.

The rest of his actual playing career then included spells played at Winsford United, Sandbach Ramblers, Lostock Gralam & Barnton.

He’d got his first taste of management himself at the latter two clubs before becoming Assistant Manager to Brian Booth at Witton Albion in November 1974 and remained so until the summer of 1980. This period saw a happy bunch of players, with very little turnover season after season, as the team finally made it into the Northern Premier League at the end of the 78/79 campaign.

It didn’t go down too well with Wittoners when Murph went to pastures new but what he achieved was truly admired and here I now lift from Runcorn Linnets’s own tribute: “Terry was trusted right hand man to John Williams when the former Runcorn club won the Northern Premier League treble in 1980-81 season. John and Terry were a formidable partnership, reviving the club's fortunes and by winning the NPL title (in addition to the League Challenge Cup and Shield) put Runcorn on the national non-league map. A place in the Alliance Premier League was secured and when the title was won at the first attempt the following season, it was the pinnacle of the original Linnets' achievement. Terry had moved on by the time Wembley was reached for the first time in 1986 but had been an architect of one of the most successful periods in Runcorn's footballing history. Always remaining a great ambassador for football, he in later years attended games at The Millbank Linnets Stadium and championed the work of 1874 Northwich in forming a fans-owned club in his home-town. Our deepest sympathies are extended to Terry's family and friends. RIP Terry Murphy - a true gentleman and man of football.”

The dynamic duo were then in charge of Caernarfon Town. October 1984 saw Terry back for a third time at the Drill Field this time though managing Vics with his greatest win seeing Crewe Alex beaten 3-1 in the FA Cup. He tried his hardest despite cash problems and a few players not fulfilling their potential but reluctantly he resigned in March 1986.

The Greens loss was Witton’s gain as the following season he was back up the road replacing John Rogers and taking care of business until the arrival of Stan Allan in May 1987. Terry then very briefly was back with John Williams at Altrincham until October 1987.

Terry later went back over the border to manage Rhyl for a number of seasons before probably feeling a bit homesick he took up the reins of the club nearest to his Winnington home, Barnton, winning them a treble in 1997-98. Off the field he joined the hopeful group of trustees who were attempting to save the Drill Field.

He also enjoyed quite a successful time on the local Sunday Football scene winning the Mid Cheshire Sunday League title in his first nine years in management with three different clubs, Broken Cross, Railway Athletic and Greenbank. He even won four trophies in one season with The Railway!

At the start of the millennium he was back on the bench with the Albion, firstly assisting Eddie Bishop before caretaker manager prior to Benny Phillips’s appointment in November 2001. It was to be back at Middlewich where he next took up the manager’s role and again no apologies as I lift their tribute to him. “We are shocked and saddened to learn that former manager (and player) Terry Murphy has passed away suddenly this morning. In the 2000’s Terry oversaw one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, winning the Mid Cheshire League Premier Division title 3 times, the JB Parker Cup 3 times and the District Cup 5 times. ‬Terry was known throughout the area for being a hugely successful manager having enjoyed previous success at numerous other clubs, and his contributions and legacy at Middlewich Town will never be forgotten. We send our sincere condolences to his family. Rest in Peace Terry.‬‬‬”

A double tragedy struck Terry and his family in 2002 when Vince, who’d decided to play with that odd shaped ball by the way, died at the age of 52 to be followed soon after by his mother Margaret’s death, his father Edward having passed away back in 1973.

After Middlewich Terry then had a brief spell as Winsford United’s manager before becoming a Football Scout, bringing to the attention of a good few managers some of the lads he’d spotted that he thought could do the business for them.

He also took up local politics and served the Winnington and Castle Ward on Northwich Town Council. Again I lift a tribute this time from his fellow Councillor Sam Naylor: “I am really shocked. I have known the Murphy family for as long as I can remember, and it’s a huge loss. I don’t think people realise what an asset he was to the community, particularly in terms of football. He was always such a gentleman and a big supporter of grassroots football. He cared about his community, he stuck up for it, and he was passionate about the town. It’s an absolute tragedy.” Terry, who lived in Winnington, also spoke out seven years ago in support - in his role as a councillor - of the creation of what is now the fans-run 1874 Northwich.

Never far away from Wincham Park, except when he and Ann (don't think she liked Emily) went, quite a few times it must be said, off to Tenerife along with that same Keith Higgins from way back in ’62 and his wife Kath. Terry still, after so many years, was to have another spell in the Albion dug-out, albeit a short one.

October 1st 2015 when, upon the sacking of Scott Dundas, a three week stint saw him assisting Paul Ogden before the welcome appointment of Witton’s current manager Carl Macauley.

Terry was also instrumental in bringing walking football to Witton and of course, despite an earlier health scare, still strived to maintain a physically active lifestyle right the way up to last week-end.

I’ve seen so many tributes written the past few days and have no qualms in lifting the three below that really says it all, if indeed that’s possible!
Simon Westland “How terribly sad. What a fantastic bloke Terry was and I am not sure that there is an individual who has done more for football in Mid Cheshire than he has. His passion for the game was unbelievable. At the Northwich Carnival just weeks ago we chatted for half an hour about 'what needed to be done next'. That was Terry, always enthusiastic and looking forward, there was always something to be done next and he knew what it was! Such a big character in the local game and still had the eye when it came to finding a player. RIP big man x”
Adam Foy “Gutted... a great all around guy. The man that got me to go to Witton Albion that pre-season all them years ago ( threatened to drive me there himself!!) Never actually played for the great man but he always helped me, no matter the circumstances. A true local legend. RIP Terry”
Andrew Simpson “‏What can I say about Terry Murphy? The fiercest competitor, and a winner. But he was also kind, patient and encouraging to this reporter as a 'cub'. Always ready with a quote; often funny, witty too, but always incisive. And the proudest 'Northwicher'. I'm heartbroken.”

Sleep well Murph, that doorway to the stadium has an even bigger void now, not to mention the corner at the social club bar where so many tales were told.

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