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Luke Murphy

For the baseball player, see Luke Murphy (baseball). For the Labour Party MP, see Luke Murphy (politician).

Luke Murphy
Murphy playing for Leeds United in 2013
Personal information
Full name Luke John Murphy[1]
Date of birth (1989-10-21) 21 October 1989 (age 35)[2]
Place of birth Macclesfield, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Macclesfield
Youth career
0000–2008 Crewe Alexandra
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2013 Crewe Alexandra 161 (21)
2013–2018 Leeds United 103 (7)
2017–2018 → Burton Albion (loan) 57 (2)
2018–2020 Bolton Wanderers 40 (2)
2020–2022 Crewe Alexandra 78 (1)
2022– Macclesfield 55 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:36, 9 May 2024 (UTC)

Luke John Murphy (born 21 October 1989) is an English professional footballer who most recently played as a midfielder for Northern Premier League Division One West side Macclesfield.

He is a product of Crewe Alexandra's academy. He was Crewe captain prior to spending five years at Leeds United, with a loan spell at Burton Albion, and then two seasons at Bolton Wanderers, before returning to Crewe once again.

Career

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Crewe Alexandra

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Born in Macclesfield, Cheshire,[2] Murphy made his debut for Crewe Alexandra on 13 December 2008 in a 1–0 home win against Swindon Town.[3] He scored his first goal for Crewe in a 4–1 away win against Hartlepool United on 28 December 2008.[4] His second goal for the club came in a 3–2 FA Cup replay loss to Millwall on 13 January 2009.[5] He finished his breakthrough season with 11 appearances as Crewe were relegated from League One. He scored his first goal of the 2009–10 season in a 5–3 away loss to Accrington Stanley[6] and scored his second and final goal of the season in a 3–2 away win against Chesterfield on 2 December.[7]

Murphy scored his first goal of the 2010–11 season on 11 September 2010 in a 3–0 win against Bury.[8] He scored again the following game in a 1–1 draw against Burton Albion.[9] His third goal of the season came in a 5–5 draw away to eventual League Two winners Chesterfield.[10] Murphy extended his contract with Crewe in November 2010.

Murphy missed the final month of the 2010–11 season after having a hernia operation. During the 2011–12 pre-season Murphy who had been playing as a right winger was moved into his favoured more central position alongside Ashley Westwood.[11] His 10th league goal for Crewe came in the 2011–12 season, during a 3–2 against Plymouth Argyle, where he scored two goals.[12] He scored his fifth goal of the 2011–12 season in a 2–0 home win to Accrington.[13] He ended the season with eight goals and helped Crewe secure promotion after beating Cheltenham Town in the 2012 League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium, to win promotion back to League One.[14]

After the departure of Ashley Westwood to Aston Villa, Murphy was appointed as the new Crewe Alexandra Captain in August 2012.[15] In September 2012, Murphy signed a new 2-year deal at Crewe.[16] On 7 April 2013, Murphy scored the first goal in the Football League Trophy final against Southend United, which Crewe went on to win 2–0.[17] In the final match of the 2012–13 season, Murphy led out a Crewe Alexandra side against Walsall in a 2–0 win in which Murphy scored the opening goal for Crewe. The game made history being the first English fixture a side had fielded a team entirely made out of their academy players.[18][19]

Murphy who was the captain of Crewe Alexandra collected the club's Player of the Year award for the 2012–13 season, a season in which he scored nine goals, gained 12 assists and captained Crewe to victory for the Football League Trophy. Murphy also finished 4th in the voting for the League One player-of-the-season for 2012–13.[20] Murphy was also named in the 2012–13 PFA Team of the Year for League One.[21] After the season Murphy proclaimed that he was ready to step up to play at a higher level.[22] Murphy was heavily linked with a move to Premier League side Aston Villa to join up with ex-teammate Ashley Westwood.[23] On 25 June, Crewe assistant manager Neil Baker revealed he expected Murphy to leave the club for a higher level and that he would go with the club's blessing.[24]

Leeds United

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2013–14 season

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In June 2013, Crewe accepted bids believed to be over £1 million from both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers for Murphy.[25][26] Despite this on 1 July, Leeds United confirmed the signing of Murphy on a three-year deal.[27][28][29] Crewe manager, Steve Davis revealed the transfer fee for Murphy was above £1 million.[30] The signing of Murphy was the first time that Leeds had spent over £1 million on a transfer fee since signing Richard Cresswell in 2005.[31]

Murphy made his debut against Brighton & Hove Albion on 3 August in the first game of the season, he scored a dramatic 94th-minute winner in the game to give Leeds a 2–1 victory.[32] On 12 April 2014, Murphy scored both goals in Leeds' 2–0 victory against Blackpool.[33] On 15 April, Leeds owner Massimo Cellino revealed after the game that he advised the then Leeds manager Brian McDermott to play Murphy in a more attacking midfield role.[34]

2014–15 season

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On 1 August 2014, Murphy was assigned the Leeds number seven shirt for the 2014–15 season.[35] On 27 August 2014, Murphy was sent off in the first half against Bradford City to condemn Leeds to a shock 2–1 League Cup defeat against the League One opposition.[35] Head coach, Dave Hockaday was sacked the following day.[36]

After a long spell out of favour under new head coach Neil Redfearn Murphy returned to Leeds' starting lineup in the FA Cup 1–0 defeat against Sunderland on 4 January 2015.[37] He started the following league game, a 1–1 draw against Bolton Wanderers on 10 January.[38] He scored in consecutive games for Leeds, firstly helping to earn a point by equalising in a 1–1 draw against Birmingham City on 17 January.[39] He then scored the winner, with a long range strike, in a 1–0 win against Bournemouth on 20 January.[citation needed] As a result of his rise in form over this period Murphy was subsequently nominated for the January 2015 Championship Player of the Month award.[40] Murphy followed this up with a long range strike in a 2–0 victory against Reading on 10 February.[citation needed]

On 2 May 2015, Murphy was one of five players nominated for the Fans Player of the Year Award at Leeds United's official end of 2014–15 season awards ceremony, but lost out to eventual winner Alex Mowatt. Murphy also lost out to goal of the season for his goal against Bournemouth to teammate Rodolph Austin's volley against Watford.[41]

2015–16 season

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On 9 July 2015, it was announced that Murphy would miss all of pre-season and the beginning of the season after picking up a knee injury which required surgery during pre season training.[42]

Despite being out injured, on 14 July 2015, Murphy signed a new four-year contract at the club keeping him at Leeds until the summer of 2019. The contract saw Murphy actually sign on reduced terms as a considerable sign of his commitment to stay with the club.[43] On 31 July 2015, Murphy was given the number 8 shirt for the upcoming 2015–16 season.[44] After missing all of the pre season and the beginning of the Championship season, on 12 August 2015, Murphy returned for Leeds as a substitute in the League Cup against Doncaster Rovers, Murphy scored a penalty in a penalty shootout with Leeds losing 4–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw.[45] On 2 April 2016, Murphy scored his first goal of the season and Leeds' only goal in the 2–1 loss to Rotherham.[46]

2016–17 season

[edit]
Murphy playing for Leeds United in 2016

He made his first appearance for Leeds on 23 August 2016, starting in Leeds League Cup fixture against Luton Town.[47]

By 24 September, Murphy had fallen so far out of favour that he, along with Toumani Diagouraga and Ross Turnbull, was no longer listed in the Leeds United match programme as a member of the squad,[48] and all three were training with the under-23 team.[49]

Burton Albion loan

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On 6 January 2017, Murphy left Leeds for fellow Championship side Burton Albion, on loan until the end of the 2016–17 season.[50][51][52] On 28 January 2017, Murphy scored his first goal for Burton against Queens Park Rangers.[53] He impressed during his time at Burton, and formed a vital partnership in midfield alongside midfielder Jackson Irvine and helped the club to avoid relegation after finishing 20th.[54]

On 3 July 2017, he re-joined Burton on loan for the entirety of the 2017–18 season.[55] Playing in a deeper central midfield position for most of the 2017/18 season, he scored his first goal of the season on 15 April 2018, in a 3–1 victory against Derby County.[56]

Return to Leeds

[edit]

With speculation that he was not in Marcelo Bielsa's plans, on 26 July 2018, Murphy was not given a shirt number for Leeds for the upcoming 2018–19 season for Leeds.[57]

Bolton Wanderers

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He was released from his Leeds contract, a year early, on 1 August 2018. The following day he signed for Bolton Wanderers on a two-year contract.[58] He made his debut for Bolton on 4 August 2018 when starting in Wanderers' 2–1 victory over West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.[59] His first goal for Bolton was on 22 October 2019, as he scored the opening goal in Bolton's first win of the 2019/2020 season, a 2–0 win against Bristol Rovers.[60] On 26 June it was announced Murphy would be one of 14 senior players released at the end of his contract on 30 June.[61]

Crewe Alexandra

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On 4 September 2020, Murphy signed a two-year deal to return to Crewe Alexandra,[62] and played in a 2–1 defeat by Lincoln City in the first round of the EFL Cup at Gresty Road the following day, 5 September 2020.[63] Reappointed Crewe captain for the 2021–2022 season, he scored the first (and only) goal of his second spell at Crewe, the winner in a 2–1 victory at Morecambe, on 29 December 2021.[64] Following relegation to League Two, Murphy was released by Crewe at the end of the 2021–22 season,[65] though he continued to train with the club to maintain his fitness during the summer.[66]

Macclesfield

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Murphy joined Northern Premier League Division One West side Macclesfield in late August 2022.[67] He helped them win the title during his first season which meant promotion to the Northern Premier League Premier Division.[68] He was released at the end of the 2023–2024 season.[69]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of end of 2023–24 season
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Crewe Alexandra 2008–09[70] League One 9 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 11 2
2009–10[71] League Two 32 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 34 3
2010–11[72] League Two 39 3 1 0 2 0 2[a] 0 44 3
2011–12[73] League Two 42 8 1 0 1 0 5[b] 0 49 8
2012–13[74] League One 39 6 2 1 2 0 5[a] 2 48 9
Crewe Alexandra total 161 21 7 2 6 0 12 2 186 25
Leeds United 2013–14[75] Championship 37 3 1 0 2 0 0 0 40 3
2014–15[76] Championship 30 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 32 3
2015–16[77] Championship 36 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 38 1
2016–17[78] Championship 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Leeds United total 103 7 3 0 5 0 0 0 111 7
Burton Albion (loan) 2016–17[78] Championship 19 1 1 0 — — 20 1
2017–18[79] Championship 38 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 41 1
Burton Albion total 57 2 2 0 2 0 0 0 61 2
Bolton Wanderers 2018–19[80] Championship 11 0 2 0 0 0 — 13 0
2019–20[81] League One 29 2 1 0 1 0 1[a] 0 32 2
Bolton Wanderers total 40 2 3 0 1 0 1 0 45 2
Crewe Alexandra 2020–21[82] League One 40 0 1 0 1 0 1[a] 0 43 0
2021–22[83] League One 38 1 1 0 2 0 2[a] 0 43 1
Crewe total 78 1 2 0 3 0 3 0 86 1
Macclesfield 2022–23[84] NPL Division One West 35 1 2 0 — 5[c] 0 42 1
2023–24[84] NPL Premier Division 20 0 2 0 — 7[d] 0 29 0
Macclesfield total 55 1 4 0 0 0 12 0 71 1
Career total 494 34 21 2 17 0 28 2 556 38
Notes
  1. ^ a b c d e Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy.
  2. ^ Three appearances in the Football League Trophy and two in the League Two play-offs
  3. ^ Four appearances in the FA Trophy and one in the Cheshire Senior Cup.
  4. ^ Five appearances in the FA Trophy and two in the Cheshire Senior Cup.

Honours

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Crewe Alexandra

Macclesfield

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Leeds United" (PDF). English Football League. p. 21. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  2. ^ a b c Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 301. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  3. ^ "Crewe 1–0 Swindon" Archived 13 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine Crewe Alexandra F.C. 13 December 2008. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  4. ^ "Hartlepool 1–4 Crewe" BBC Sport. 28 December 2008. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  5. ^ "Crewe 2–3 Millwall" BBC Sport. 13 January 2009. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  6. ^ "Accrington 5–3 Crewe" BBC Sport. 25 September 2009. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  7. ^ "Chesterfield 2–3 Crewe" BBC Sport. 2 December 2009. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  8. ^ "Crewe 3–0 Bury" BBC Sport. 11 September 2010. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  9. ^ "Burton 1–1 Crewe" BBC Sport. 18 September 2010. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  10. ^ "Chesterfield 5–5 Crewe" BBC Sport. 2 October 2010. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  11. ^ "Crewe's Luke Murphy 'fully fit' after hernia operation". BBC Sport. 25 July 2011.
  12. ^ "Crewe 3–2 Plymouth" BBC Sport. 7 January 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  13. ^ "Crewe 2–0 Accrington" BBC Sport. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  14. ^ Begley, Emlyn (27 May 2012). "Cheltenham 0–2 Crewe". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  15. ^ "Murph Signs For Leeds". Crewe Alexandra Official Website. 1 July 2013.
  16. ^ "Luke Murphy signs new two-year deal with Crewe Alexandra". BBC Sport. 27 September 2012.
  17. ^ "Luke Murphy and Max Clayton hand Alexandra Johnstone's Paint Trophy". The Times: Football. 8 April 2013.
  18. ^ "Crewe 2 – Walsall 0". BBC Sport. 27 April 2013.
  19. ^ "Crewe Alexandra: Dario Gradi's academy dream set to come true". BBC Sport. 24 April 2013.
  20. ^ "Crewe Alexandra: Murphy named player-of-the-season". This Is Staffordshire. 14 April 2013.
  21. ^ a b "Gareth Bale wins PFA Player of Year and Young Player awards". BBC Sport. 28 April 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  22. ^ "Luke Murphy: Crewe Alexandra captain 'ready for higher level'". BBC Sport. 15 April 2013.
  23. ^ "Crewe Alex: Luke Murphy staying put for now amid Aston Villa rumours". Crewe Chronicle. 12 June 2013.
  24. ^ "Crewe expect Murphy departure". ITV Sport. 25 June 2013.
  25. ^ "Luke Murphy: Wolves expected to sign Crewe Alexandra captain". BBC Sport. 25 June 2013.
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  27. ^ "SOUGHT AFTER MIDFIELDER SIGNS UP". Leeds United Official Site. 1 July 2013.
  28. ^ "IT'S ALL WHITE FOR NEW RECRUIT LUKE". Leeds United Official Site. 1 July 2013.
  29. ^ Wobschall, Leon (1 July 2013). "Leeds coup as Murphy deal imminent". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  30. ^ "Leeds United: Luke Murphy signs from Crewe Alexandra". BBC Sport. 1 July 2013.
  31. ^ "Cresswell eyes Premiership spot". BBC Sport. 24 August 2005. Retrieved 24 August 2005.
  32. ^ "Leeds 2 Brighton 1". Leeds United Official Site. 3 August 2013.
  33. ^ "Leeds 2 Blackpool 0". Sky Sports. 12 April 2014.
  34. ^ "Cellino: 'What I told McDermott'". Football Italia. 15 April 2014.
  35. ^ a b "SQUAD NUMBERS RELEASED". Leeds United. 1 August 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  36. ^ "CLUB STATEMENT: DAVID HOCKADAY". Leeds United. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  37. ^ "Sunderland 1 Leeds 0". Sky Sports. 4 January 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  38. ^ "Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Leeds United". BBC Sport. 10 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  39. ^ "Leeds United v Birmingham City: Redfearn hails character of Murphy". Yorkshire Evening Post. 17 January 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  40. ^ "MURPHY NOMINATED FOR JANUARY AWARD". 5 February 2016.
  41. ^ "MOWATT SCOOPS AWARDS NIGHT DOUBLE". Leeds United. 2 May 2015.
  42. ^ Yorkshire Evening Post (9 July 2015). "Blow For Whites As Murphy Undergoes Surgery".
  43. ^ Leeds United Official Site (14 July 2015). "MURPHY SIGNS LONG-TERM DEAL".
  44. ^ "2015/16 SQUAD NUMBERS ANNOUNCED". Leeds United Official site. 31 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  45. ^ "DONCASTER: UNITED EXIT CUP ON PENALTIES". Leeds United Official site. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  46. ^ "Leeds United: Leeds boss Evans defends 'humble and down' Bellusci". Yorkshire Evening Post. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  47. ^ "MATCHDAY: LUTON- LIVE!". Leeds United. 23 August 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  48. ^ Phil Hay (3 October 2016). "Leeds United: Ominous signs for Murphy, Diagouraga and Turnbull after Leeds leave trio out of Saturday's squad list". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  49. ^ Phil Hay (6 December 2016). "Leeds United: Head coach Monk looks like he's managing". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  50. ^ "Luke Murphy: Leeds United midfielder joins Burton Albion on loan". BBC Sport. 6 January 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
  51. ^ "LUKE MURPHY: MIDFIELDER DEPARTS ON LOAN". Leeds United FC. 6 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  52. ^ Ash Willis (6 January 2016). "BREWERS MAKE THIRD JANUARY SIGNING". Burton Albion FC. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  53. ^ "QPR 1-2 Burton". BBC Sport. 28 January 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  54. ^ "Irvine named Burton Albion player of the season". theworldgame.sbs.com.au. 4 May 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  55. ^ "MURPHY REJOINS BURTON". Leeds United. 3 July 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  56. ^ "Luke Murphy on why Burton Albion did not want Derby County to 'stick the knife in'". Burton Mail. 15 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  57. ^ "2018/19 SQUAD NUMBERS ANNOUNCED". Leeds United. 26 July 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  58. ^ "Bolton Wanderers sign Luke Murphy". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 2 August 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  59. ^ "West Bromwich Albion 1 Bolton Wanderers 2". BBC Sport. 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  60. ^ "Bolton get 'deserved' first win of season". BBC Sport.
  61. ^ theboltonnews "Bolton announce retained list with 14 players out of contract"
  62. ^ "Luke Murphy Re-Joins Crewe Alexandra". Crewe Alexandra F.C. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  63. ^ "Crewe Alexandra 1-2 Lincoln City". BBC Sport. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  64. ^ "Morecambe 1-2 Crewe Alexandra". BBC Sport. 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  65. ^ "2021–22 Retained List". crewealex.net. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  66. ^ "Murphy Is Here And His Professionalism Sets The Example". CreweAlex.net. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  67. ^ "Luke Murphy: Former Leeds United and Bolton Wanderers midfielder signs for Macclesfield FC". BBC Sport. 28 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  68. ^ a b "Macclesfield Secure West Division". thenpl.co.uk. 1 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  69. ^ "Retained list 2024-25". Macclesfield F.C. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  70. ^ "Games played by Luke Murphy in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  71. ^ "Games played by Luke Murphy in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  72. ^ "Games played by Luke Murphy in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  73. ^ "Games played by Luke Murphy in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  74. ^ "Games played by Luke Murphy in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  75. ^ "Games played by Luke Murphy in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  76. ^ "Games played by Luke Murphy in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  77. ^ "Games played by Luke Murphy in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  78. ^ a b "Games played by Luke Murphy in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  79. ^ "Games played by Luke Murphy in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  80. ^ "Games played by Luke Murphy in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  81. ^ "Games played by Luke Murphy in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  82. ^ "Games played by Luke Murphy in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  83. ^ "Games played by Luke Murphy in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  84. ^ a b Football Webpages: "Macclesfield – Appearances – Luke Murphy"
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