Luke Murphy

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[1]
Place of birth Macclesfield, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[1]
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current team
Leeds United
Number 8
Youth career
0000–2008 Crewe Alexandra
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2013 Crewe Alexandra 161 (21)
2013– Leeds United 103 (7)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:45, 19 April 2016 (UTC).


Luke John Murphy (born 21 October 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays for Leeds United as a midfielder. He is a product of Crewe Alexandra's academy, for whom he served as club captain prior to joining Leeds.

Career

Crewe Alexandra

Born in Macclesfield, Cheshire,[1] Murphy made his debut for Crewe Alexandra on 13 December 2008 in a 1–0 home win against Swindon Town.[2] He scored his first goal for Crewe in a 4–1 away win against Hartlepool United on 28 December 2008.[3] His second goal for the club came in a 3–2 FA Cup replay loss to Millwall on 13 January 2009.[4] 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[5] and scored his second and final goal of the season in a 3–2 away win against Chesterfield on 2 December.[6]

Murphy scored his first goal of the 2010–11 season on 11 September 2010 in a 3–0 win against Bury.[7] He scored again the following game in a 1–1 draw against Burton Albion.[8] His third goal of the season came in a 5–5 draw away to eventual League Two winners Chesterfield.[9] 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.[10] His 10th league goal for Crewe came in the 2011–12 season, during a 3–2 against Plymouth Argyle, where he scored two goals.[11] He scored his fifth goal of the 2011–12 season in a 2–0 home win to Accrington.[12] He ended the season with 8 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.[13]

After the departure of Ashley Westwood to Aston Villa, Murphy was appointed as the new Crewe Alexandra Captain in August 2012.[14] In September 2012, Murphy signed a new 2-year deal at Crewe.[15] 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.[16] 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.[17][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 9 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

2013–14 season

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][33] On 12 April 2014, Murphy scored both goals in Leeds' 2-0 victory against Blackpool.[34] 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.[35]

2014–15 season

On 1 August 2014, Murphy was assigned the Leeds number seven shirt for the 2014–15 season.[36] 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.[36] Head coach, Dave Hockaday was sacked the following day.[37]

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.[38] He started the following league game, a 1-1 draw against Bolton Wanderers on 10 January.[39] 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.[40] He then scored the winner, with a long range strike, in a 1-0 win against Bournemouth on 20 January.[41] 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.[42] Murphy followed this up with a long range strike in a 2-0 victory against Reading on 10 February.[43]

On 2 May 2015, Murphy was one of 5 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.[44]

2015–16 season

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.[45]

Despite being out injured, on 14 July 2015, Murphy signed a new 4-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.[46] On 31 July 2015, Murphy was given the number 8 shirt for the upcoming 2015/16 season.[47] 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.[48] On 2 April 2016, Murphy scored his 1st goal of the season and Leeds' only goal in the 2-1 loss to Rotherham.[49]

2016-17 season

He made his first appearance for Leeds on 23 August 2016, starting in Leeds League Cup fixture against Luton Town.[50]

Career statistics

As of 12 November 2016[51]
England
Season Club Division League FA Cup League Cup FL Trophy Play-offs Total Discipline
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals A yellow card A red card
2016–17 Leeds United Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
2015–16 Championship 36 1 1 0 1 0 38 1 5 0
2014–15 Championship 30 3 1 0 1 0 32 3 9 1
2013–14 Championship 37 3 1 0 2 0 40 3 7 0
Leeds United Total 103 7 3 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 111 7 21 1
2012–13 Crewe Alexandra League One 39 6 2 1 2 0 5 2 48 9 6 0
2011–12 League Two 42 8 1 0 1 0 3 0 2 0 49 8 4 0
2010–11 League Two 39 3 1 0 2 0 2 0 44 3 1 0
2009–10 League Two 32 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 34 3 1 0
2008–09 League One 9 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 11 2 0 0
Crewe Alexandra Total 161 22 7 2 6 0 10 2 2 0 186 26 12 0
Career Total 264 29 10 2 10 0 11 2 2 0 297 33 33 1

Honours

with Crewe Alexandra

Individual

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 301. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. "Crewe 1–0 Swindon" Crewe Alexandra F.C. 13 December 2008. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  3. "Hartlepool 1–4 Crewe" BBC Sport. 28 December 2008. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  4. "Crewe 2–3 Millwall" BBC Sport. 13 January 2009. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  5. "Accrington 5–3 Crewe" BBC Sport. 25 September 2009. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  6. "Chesterfield 2–3 Crewe" BBC Sport. 2 December 2009. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  7. "Crewe 3–0 Bury" BBC Sport. 11 September 2010. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  8. "Burton 1–1 Crewe" BBC Sport. 18 September 2010. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  9. "Chesterfield 5–5 Crewe" BBC Sport. 2 October 2010. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  10. "Crewe's Luke Murphy 'fully fit' after hernia operation". BBC Sport. 25 July 2011.
  11. "Crewe 3–2 Plymouth" BBC Sport. 7 January 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  12. "Crewe 2–0 Accrington" BBC Sport. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  13. Begley, Emlyn (27 May 2012). "Cheltenham 0–2 Crewe". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  14. "Murph Signs For Leeds". Crewe Alexandra Official Website. 1 July 2013.
  15. "Luke Murphy signs new two-year deal with Crewe Alexandra". BBC Sport. 27 September 2012.
  16. "Luke Murphy and Max Clayton hand Alexandra Johnstone's Paint Trophy". The Times: Football. 8 April 2013.
  17. "Crewe 2 – Walsall 0". BBC Sport. 27 April 2013.
  18. "Crewe to make history by fielding academy XI in final match of season". Daily Mail. 24 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. "League One Team of the Year". Sky Sports. 28 April 2013.
  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.
  26. "Luke Murphy: Blackburn offer for Crewe captain accepted". BBC Sport. 28 June 2013.
  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". 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 Brighton 1: Murphy's late stunner grabs the spoils at a packed Elland Road". Daily Mail. 3 August 2013.
  34. "Leeds 2 Blackpool 0". Sky Sports. 12 April 2014.
  35. "Cellino: 'What I told McDermott'". Football Italia. 15 April 2014.
  36. 1 2 "SQUAD NUMBERS RELEASED". Leeds United. 1 August 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  37. "CLUB STATEMENT: DAVID HOCKADAY". Leeds United. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  38. "Sunderland 1 Leeds 0". Sky Sports. 4 January 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  39. "Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Leeds United". www.bbc.co.uk/. BBC Sport. 10 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  40. "Leeds United v Birmingham City: Redfearn hails character of Murphy". Yorkshire Evening Post. 17 January 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  41. "Leeds 1-0 Bournemouth: Luke Murphy's first-half stunner halts Cherries progress at the top of the Championship". Daily Mail. 20 January 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  42. "MURPHY NOMINATED FOR JANUARY AWARD". 5 February 2016.
  43. "Reading 0 Leeds 2". BBC Sport. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  44. "MOWATT SCOOPS AWARDS NIGHT DOUBLE". Leeds United. 2 May 2015.
  45. Yorkshire Evening Post (9 July 2015). "Blow For Whites As Murphy Undergoes Surgery".
  46. Leeds United Official Site (14 July 2015). "MURPHY SIGNS LONG-TERM DEAL".
  47. "2015/16 SQUAD NUMBERS ANNOUNCED". Leeds United Official site. 31 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  48. "DONCASTER: UNITED EXIT CUP ON PENALTIES". Leeds United Official site. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  49. "Leeds United: Leeds boss Evans defends 'humble and down' Bellusci". Yorkshire Evening Post. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  50. "MATCHDAY: LUTON- LIVE!". Leeds United. 23 August 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  51. "Statistics". Soccerbase. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
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