Jimmy Murphy (footballer) facts for kids
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Patrick Murphy | ||
| Date of birth | 8 August 1910 | ||
| Place of birth | Pentre, Rhondda, Wales | ||
| Date of death | 14 November 1989 (aged 79) | ||
| Place of death | Manchester, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in | ||
| Playing position | Wing half | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1928–1939 | West Bromwich Albion | 204 | (0) |
| 1939 | Swindon Town | 4 | (0) |
| Total | 208 | (0) | |
| National team | |||
| 1933–1938 | Wales | 15 | (0) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 1956–1964 | Wales | ||
| 1958 | Manchester United (caretaker) | ||
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James Patrick Murphy (born August 8, 1910 – died November 14, 1989) was a famous Welsh football player and coach. He played over 200 games for West Bromwich Albion. He also played 15 times for the Wales national team, and later became their manager.
Jimmy Murphy is best known for his important role at Manchester United. From 1946 until the 1970s, he worked as an assistant manager, coach, and scout. He preferred to work behind the scenes and didn't seek the spotlight.
After the terrible Munich air disaster on February 6, 1958, Murphy stepped in as Manchester United's temporary manager. He guided the club through its hardest time while manager Matt Busby was recovering. Murphy quickly put together a new team with the players who were still able to play. He wasn't on the plane in Munich because he was managing Wales in a 1958 FIFA World Cup qualifying match. Wales won that game and qualified for the World Cup for the first time ever!
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Playing Football
Jimmy Murphy was born in Ton Pentre, Glamorgan, Wales. As a boy, he went to Ton Pentre School and even played the church organ. He loved football from a young age.
He played for several youth teams, including Ton Pentre Boys and Treorchy Juniors. In 1924, he represented Wales in a schoolboy game against England. In February 1928, at just 17 years old, he became a professional player. He joined West Bromwich Albion.
Murphy played his first game for Albion in March 1930. In the 1930–31 season, West Bromwich Albion won the FA Cup and moved up to a higher league. Jimmy became a regular player for Albion in the top division. From 1931 to 1935, he played 149 games, helping his team finish in the top ten four times. In 1935, he played almost every game and helped Albion reach the 1935 FA Cup Final, though they lost that match.
He played more than 200 games for Albion before moving to Swindon Town in 1939. However, the Second World War started soon after, ending his time at Swindon quickly. During the 1930s, Murphy also played 15 times for the Welsh national team.
Coaching and Managing Teams
During the Second World War, Jimmy Murphy gave a speech about football to some soldiers. Matt Busby, who would later become a legendary manager, was there and was very impressed. When Busby became manager of Manchester United, he immediately hired Murphy.
Building the Busby Babes
From 1946 to 1955, Murphy was Manchester United's "chief coach." In 1955, he became assistant manager. His main job was to train the young players who became known as the "Busby Babes." These included future stars like Duncan Edwards and Bobby Charlton. Before this, big teams often bought experienced players. But Busby and Murphy decided to develop their own young talent instead.
Leading After the Munich Disaster
After the tragic Munich air disaster in February 1958, Jimmy Murphy took over as temporary manager. He had not been on the plane because he was managing Wales in a World Cup qualifying game. He bravely put together a new team from the players who survived or were recovering. He led United to the 1958 FA Cup Final that season.
Murphy also managed Wales at the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden. Wales reached the quarter-finals, which was a huge achievement. They lost 1–0 to Brazil, who went on to win the tournament, with a goal scored by the legendary player Pelé.
Life After Management
Even though big clubs like Brazil, Juventus, and Arsenal wanted him to be their manager, Murphy stayed at Old Trafford as assistant manager until 1971. He never wanted to be the main manager because he didn't like being in the spotlight. He preferred working quietly behind the scenes.
From 1973, Murphy worked as a scout for Manchester United. He was famous for telling manager Tommy Docherty to sign two great wingers, Steve Coppell and Gordon Hill.
Remembering Jimmy Murphy
Jimmy Murphy passed away suddenly on November 14, 1989, at the age of 79. To honor him, Manchester United created the "Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year Award." This award goes to the best young player in the club's youth system each season. Lee Martin was the first player to receive this award.
In March 2009, a special blue plaque was placed on his old family home in Pentre, Wales. This plaque remembers important people and places.
On May 28, 2021, Manchester United announced plans for a memorial to Murphy at Old Trafford. A statue of Jimmy Murphy was unveiled there on May 3, 2023, behind the Stretford End stand.
Jimmy Murphy's life has also been shown in movies. He was played by Philip Madoc in the 2000 film Best. He was also played by David Tennant in the 2011 BBC Two film United, which was about the Busby Babes and the Munich air disaster.
Family Life
Jimmy Murphy married Winifred Powell in 1935. They had six children together: Patricia, John, Philip, Jimmy Jr., Nicholas, and Anne. They were married for 54 years until Jimmy's death. Winifred passed away nine years later in 1998.
Images for kids
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A statue of Jimmy Murphy at Old Trafford.
