Barry Murphy Autobiography

https://www.waterstones.com/book/one-hundred-percent-legend-barry-murphy/barry-murphy/9781910827277

Pricey for a paperback and pretty pricey if it was a hardback. It will be a great read though and a chance for many of us to get more clued up on stories from before we were around to watch.

 

Should have called it Picking Spud ​

 

One of the things I miss the most about it being behind closed doors now, is going up to the legends suite after we’ve done our work on a match day and having a pint with him. Getting his thoughts.

Such a good bloke. Great fun, immense knowledge and as big a legend we have left.

 

Great Christmas box for Reds Fans imo.

 

Absolute Legend is right, and at 567 record Appearances for the Reds, which will never ever be beaten.

 

Well I was lucky enough to see Spud plying his trade on the field, so this book will be pure nostalgia all the way for me.

 

Have you ever known him buy any chewing Gum lol
He always came and sat on the wall against the halfway line brewery stand side and hed say have you got any chewing gum young un..then take a piece at least twice during the game off me.it never failed lol he would often sit on the wall and chat when there was a stoppage in the game...you dont get that now do you...... a character....and a lovely bloke too ...
Worth every penny that book...just because its spud Murphy's...if nothing else

 

It might be a over used term but I consider Barry Murphy a legend. A wholehearted player for Barnsley FC in my childhood,sportsmanship, a supportive Coach, a good Council employee at Penistone Sports centre. Now back doing work at the club. I don't know him at all personally but he is someone I have always admired. I look forward to reading his book.

 

Once saw the legendary Raich Carter sit on the wall only in his case, it was to disrupt the
flow of the game after the referee gave a decision against him. He was the player manager of Hull City
and was playing for them against Doncaster Rovers at Belle Vue.

He went in for a challenge with a Rovers player and the ref took exception and awarded Doncaster a
free kick. Carter picked the ball up, shoved it under his shirt and went and sat on the perimeter wall.
All amount of pleading from the match officials fell on deaf ears. He sat there refusing to give up the
ball for a good five minutes.

To add insult to injury, no action was taken against him and with a couple of minutes of added time left,
it was he who struck the winner that enabled Hull to go away with the points in an undeserved 1-0 win.

 

On a personal level, the nicest guy you could ever wish to meet. And a club record that will never be broken.

 

Remember going to Valley Parade about 1967 wi Mi grandad and uncle Wolf and Barry gave us 2 complimentary tickets.
What a legend.
Still looks fit enough to play

 

My very first game I saw Spud score a goal.

 

Saw Spud take a penalty at the Spion Kop end. He hit the ball as hard as he could low to the keeper's left. It was also about 3 yards wide of the post and thundered into the perimeter wall almost demolishing it lol.

 

I recall catching the ball in the brewery stand and then quickly throwing it back and down the line to the kop shouting come on bsly start taking some quick throw ins....

Next thing I know spud is sat on the wall to my left...
Taps me on my shoulder and says.......calm down and save your breath young un I've been telling them for months to do that but nobody listens to me so what chance have you got...lol
bye the way ....have you got any chewing gum left ....

 

After leaving Leeds he managed Penistone Sports Centre. He ran two circuit training sessions a week, which often included running up to Penistone Grammar School field for a game of football. He was in his forties but way fitter than us twenty-something’s. It was also incredibly evident that the gap between professional footballers and the rest of us is enormous!

 

The guy was garbage as a footballer nice guy but **** at football which is why he spent so long at the reds from someone who watched him on a regular basis no sell on fee there sorry to kill the mith

 

I worked with him at at Barnsley Met. George Boardman was there at the same time. Two great lads.

I used to play 5 - side at Athersley. In the early 80s with some mates when spud turned up with a load of ex Barnsley pros from the 60s/70s. They were one short. “Do you fancy a game to make up the numbers Dalestyke” he said. Well, he didn’t call me Dalestyke, obviously, because that wasn’t my name then but......oh I’m digressing. “Course I do I said, no problem against a bunch of old men.”

Possibly not the cleverest thing to say to a load of ex pros. I spent the first 15 minutes having the art of ‘defending’ shown to me. The next half hour in goal recovering from my injuries and the final 15 minutes getting a further lesson in the difference between professional and amateur footballers.

it was a Privilege to be on the same pitch. Top blokes.

 

I started going in 73/74 season as his career was coming to an end. It was obvious though, how much affection the faithful had for him.
Seem to remember his testimonial was against Sheff Utd in around 1975 and it was a 3-3 draw, played in pouring rain.
Seeing as I struggle to remember simple names and stuff these days I’m quite proud that I remember that....if it’s true of course lol.

 

My dad (who is on here too) and I used to go to that in the 80s. I was only a youngster but he let me play as well. He was brilliant! He used to do little commentaries in the five a side football games afterwards with catchphrases I still repeat today such as "like a salmon!" for a good header, and "this'll bring the crowds back!"if you pulled off something skilful

 

What a lovely post.