Alex Murphy :: 1971 -1975
First
game 6/8/1971 Last game 21/9/1975
Played 66 + 1 Tries 9 Goals 12 Drop Goals 28 Points 107 Alex Murphy was signed by Ossie Davies
and Phil Worthington as player coach in May 1971. The trio saved Warrington from extinction and
brought the glory days back to Wilderspool.
Murphy was already a “Great” of Rugby League, having a successful
playing career at St Helens before moving to Leigh as player coach, he led them
to their only Wembley triumph. He led the club to the League Leaders
Trophy in 1972/3, still the last time Warrington has finished the season at the
top of the league. The following season was
the most successful in the club’s history, winning the Challenge Cup, Club
Merit, John Player and Captain Morgan Trophies.
In doing so Alex became the first man to captain three different clubs
to Wembley wins. In December 1973 Murphy suffered a
horrific injury, after which injuries became more regular and he missed many
vital games including the 1975 Wembley loss to Widnes, Warrington missed his on
field leadership. Alex carried on as coach at
Wilderspool winning the John Player Trophy in 1978 and losing a Premiership
final in 1977. In May 1978 he left for
Salford. Murphy returned as Football
Director for the first year of Super League in 1996. “Murph” won his 27th and
final Great Britain cap in 1971 against New Zealand. This was thirteen years after he tormented
the Aussies on the 1958 tour down under.
In 1999 Alex was awarded the OBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List.
