Gerry Murphy (football manager)

Gerry Murphy (born 22 July 1943, in Dublin, Ireland) was the director of football development at Huddersfield Town between 1988 and 2009. He was the academy manager between 1999 and 17 April 2007, and was caretaker manager of Huddersfield Town in three different spells.

Gerry Murphy
Portrait photograph of a smiling bald man wearing a black jacket over a blue shirt and striped tie.
Personal information
Full name Gerard Murphy
Date of birth (1943-07-22) 22 July 1943 (age 81)
Place of birth Dublin, Ireland
Managerial career
Years Team
1970-1975 Rawthorpe WMC
1975–1983 Bradley Rangers
2007 Huddersfield Town (caretaker)
2008 Huddersfield Town (caretaker)
2008 Huddersfield Town (caretaker)

Career

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Murphy never played football above amateur level, but has the full complement of coaching qualifications to international level.

Huddersfield Town

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Murphy joined Huddersfield Town as a scout in 1988 but was soon involved with the club's youth set-up, where he coached with Bob Wallace and was also the physio. In September 1990, Murphy was appointed as the assistant youth development Officer at Leeds Road, where he was working alongside George Mulhall.

In March 1993, Murphy deputised as the first team physio while regular medical man Wayne Jones was absent due to his wife giving birth.

Murphy then worked alongside Kevin Blackwell from 1993 to 1995 as assistant youth coach. He then became youth development officer in the summer of 1995 and worked with youth coach David Moss, and also Mark Lillis.

When Town were granted Academy status in 1999, Murphy assumed the academy manager title. He continued as the academy chief into the 2000s until becoming director of football development in 2007. He also had three separate spells as caretaker manager at the club in 2007, 2008 and 2008.

Award

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Murphy won the Football League's Contribution to Football award on 5 March 2006 selected by listeners of BBC Radio Five Live's Sport on Five.[1]

Huddersfield Town Academy

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In February 2007, Huddersfield's 23-man first-team squad included 15 academy graduates. The most notable graduate was Jon Stead who was sold to Premier League side Blackburn Rovers for £1.25m in February 2004.[2]

Management positions

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Following Peter Jackson's contract termination on 6 March 2007, Murphy was put in temporary charge of Huddersfield Town's first team affairs,[3] a role that lasted for six games until 11 April 2007.

Then on 17 April 2007, Murphy was appointed director of football development. In addition to his position as academy director he has been handed control of the club's scouting activities.[4]

Following Andy Ritchie's contract termination on 1 April 2008, Murphy was put in temporary charge of Huddersfield Town's first team affairs for the second time. His second tenure ended on 3 May, when Stan Ternent took over for the new season.

Following Ternent's sacking, Murphy was put in charge for a third time. After losing 4–3 to Port Vale in the FA Cup, Town beat Leeds United at Elland Road for the first time in nearly 25 years. This was followed by a win at Brighton & Hove Albion, their first ever at the Withdean Stadium, a defeat against Leyton Orient and victories over Walsall and Southend United. Murphy was replaced by new manager Lee Clark on 15 December.

In Murphy's three terms in charge, he has led the team to victories over Town's West Yorkshire rivals, Bradford City (2–0 on 10 March 2007) and Leeds United (1–0 on 15 April 2008 and 2–1 on 15 November 2008).

Products of the academy include Andy Holdsworth, Michael Collins, Nathan and Tom Clarke, David Mirfin, Jon Worthington, Jon Stead and Andy Booth.

Managerial statistics

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Team Nat From To Record
G W L D Win %
Huddersfield Town   6 March 2007 11 April 2007 6 1 1 4 16.67
Huddersfield Town   1 April 2008 3 May 2008 6 4 0 2 66.67
Huddersfield Town   4 November 2008 15 December 2008 5 3 2 0 60

References

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  1. ^ "Jagielka Named Championship Player Of The Year" Archived 12 April 2006 at the Wayback Machine, Tony Leighton, The Football League, 5 March 2006
  2. ^ Conn, David (22 February 2006). "Academies left in the lurch by sinking funds". The Guardian. London.
  3. ^ "Huddersfield sack manager Jackson". BBC Sport. 6 March 2007. Retrieved 6 March 2007.
  4. ^ "Terriers gamble on new shirt deal" Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine, TeamTalk, 18 April 2007