TRIBUTES PAID TO EX-VICS’ MURPHY

TERRY MURPHY, the first boss to manage both Northwich Victoria and Witton Albion during a dugout career spanning more than three decades, has died.

He was 79 and organisers of a parkrun in his home town, which he had started in most weekends since April last year, said he passed away on the course last Saturday.

“Many will have seen the outpouring of grief for a gentleman and a true legend of Non-League in these parts,” said John Salmon, Witton Albion’s chairman.

“Terry was somebody who had forgotten more about the game than most of us will ever know.”

Murphy had most recently worked as a talent spotter for the Northern Premier League outfit.

He played for them too as an uncompromising defender in the early 1960s following a season with Crewe Alexandra, who he had joined from Vics.

His links to mid-Cheshire were strengthened by appearances in the colours of Knutsford, Middlewich Athletic, Winsford United, Lostock Gralam and Barnton.

He also spent time on the touchline with the latter two before becoming Brian Booth’s number two at Albion in 1974.

From there, Murphy became a trusted right-hand man to John Williams when Runcorn won a treble, including the Northern Premier League title in 1981.

Their team also finished first in the Alliance Premier League 12 months later.

Titles

A second-round appearance in the FA Cup, after knocking out Crewe, was the highlight of his 18 months in charge at Vics before he moved on to succeed John Rogers at Witton.

Murphy later served as a town councillor in Northwich, but only after steering amateur sides Barnton and Middlewich Town to a combined total of six Cheshire League top-flight titles in the space of 10 years.

“Terry’s legacy will not be forgotten here,” read the latter club’s tribute.

His funeral will take place in Northwich on Friday.