The Jack Murphy Interview - April 2003
Jack Murphy signed for Bangor in the summer of 1990. Originally from Liverpool , he joined
the Seasiders from Queen's University where he had been studying law. Previously
in 1989, he had a spell at Portadown where he played alongside Gregg Davidson.
Jack possessed speed and skill and scored four goals in the 1990-91 season. In November 1990 Jack played for an Irish League Select team against the English League. He left Bangor late in 1992 after John Flanagan's resignation and
then continued his career at Coleraine.
He was an accurate placer of the ball, especially in dead ball situations. His flame red hair made him a distinctive figure at Clandeboye.
Where are you now and how has life
progressed since leaving Bangor?
Since leaving N Ireland I have stayed mainly around the Merseyside area. At present
I work for Knowsley Council, on secondment, managing a regeneration
partnership and I am also Chair of a new Housing Association.
called Cobalt that has just taken over 6,300 properties in NE Liverpool.
How did the footballing
career progress after leaving Bangor?
I went to
Coleraine on New Years Eve 1992 and commuted for a bit. Had
a few league clubs in NW England show interest but by then
I was approaching
30 and whilst training at Everton had my fourth break in 5
years so decided to retire.
Best player you played alongside at Clandeboye
and why?
That would be unfair as they were all good
and complemented each other well so that the sum became greater
than the parts.
Best player you played against at Bangor
and why?
Joey Cunningham (Ports) extremely competitive
with skill to match.
Biggest character at Bangor?
The shy and reclusive Mark Caughey who still
has yet to pay me money for the race he refused to have with
me. Eachie for his southern English attempts at humour . Reggie
Dornan & Geordie for being gentlemen. Mark Glendenning
and his dad. Jock and Stevie Brown for the music on the way
home after we'd won particularly 'Under the Boardwalk by Bruce
Willis'. Paul Byrne for his stories. Colin who ran the reserves
young Deano who had the affrontery to kick the Crues Kirk
Hunter (he would have eaten Vinny Jones for breakfast) off
the ball, Barry Mac for his alcohol abstinence and the sprint
off the pitch and up the stairs to the Treasurer for his pay
packet before he'd get in the shower.
Best goal you scored for Bangor?
Can't remember any in particular
but remember the one that hit the post against the Glens towards
the end of a home game that would have been ultra special
if it had gone in.
Best goal you witnessed at Bangor?
Probably a Paul Byrne free kick
versus the Crues but then he had a habit of doing that until
it became boring. In play it had to be Jock O'Connor's first
goal for years in the 4-0 rout of Portadown in a home-tie
quarter final.
How did you rate John Flanagan as a manager?
Thought he was brilliant. He was
a great motivator who was excellent on a one to one basis
Football, not just Bangor, lost a true gentleman and a great
asset when he left. I had a host of clubs chasing after me
when at Queen's who were far more glamorous and offered more
money than Bangor, but Flan was the difference for me.
Best moment at Bangor?
Qualifying for Europe even though
I had a broken kneecap at the time.
Worst moment at Bangor?
When Flan phoned me and told me
he had quit I knew that was my Bangor career finished and
so it proved to be. Although the old bloke who helped Angus
(kit man and physio) dying in the dressing room minutes before
our match against Linfield was unpleasant. We were all shell-shocked
and Linfield scored two quick goals against us, the match
should not have gone ahead.
Coming from Liverpool, are you a 'Red'
or a 'Blue'?
A Blue although I'm more interested
in golf these days.
We
would like to thank Jack for taking the time to answer these
questions.
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