Murphy: Leslie A.

1911-1912 (Leeds City Player Details)

Goalkeeper

Born: Dunnamanagh, Co. Tyrone: Unknown

Debut: v Nottingham Forest (h): 02-09-1911

5’10” 12st 0lb (1911)

Murphy started his career in the 1910-11 season with Belfast Celtic. In May 1911, he, along with several other Irishmen joined Second Division Leeds City. He started as first choice keeper but after eighteen League and one F.A. Cup appearance he slipped out of the pecking order as both Tony Hogg and Cecil Reinhardt held sway. He left Leeds to return to Ireland where he joined Glentoran in 1912. While at Glentoran he played twice for the Irish League, a 0-0 draw with the Football League in Belfast on 23rd October 1912 and a 1-3 defeat by the Scottish League two weeks later. Glentoran won the Irish League for the first time in 1912-13, as a result of this the club was invited, along with Burnley, Celtic, to Austria to play in the Vienna Cup, which they won by beating an Austrian select XI. After a spell with Linfield, Murphy returned to England in August 1920 and after being a virtual ever-present for Wrexham in their final Birmingham and District season, he was expecting to carry on as first choice after they were elected to the Third Division North but on a summer visit to Ireland he contracted rheumatic fever and after spending several weeks in Downpatrick Infirmary he lost his place and after just one League game in 1921-22, he left to join Third Division South Bristol Rovers in August 1922 and then Reading in 1923 before retiring.