Gerry Murphy (football manager)

Murphy never played football above amateur level, but has the full complement of coaching qualifications to international level.

Murphy joined Huddersfield Town as a scout in 1988 but was soon involved with the club's youth set-up, where he coached with Bob Wallace and was also the physio. In September 1990, Murphy was appointed as the Assistant Youth Development Officer at Leeds Road, where he was working alongside George Mulhall.

In March 1993, Murphy deputised as the first team physio while regular medical man Wayne Jones was absent due to his wife giving birth.

Murphy then worked alongside Kevin Blackwell from 1993 to 1995 as assistant youth coach. He then became youth development officer in the summer of 1995 and worked with youth coach David Moss, and also Mark Lillis.

When Town were granted Academy status in 1999, Murphy assumed the Academy Manager title. He continued as the Academy chief into the 2000s until becoming Director of Football Development in 2007. He also had three separate spells as caretaker manager at the club in 2007, 2008 and 2008.

Murphy won the Football League's Contribution to Football award on 5 March 2006 selected by listeners of BBC Radio Five Live's Sport on Five.^[1]

In February 2007, Huddersfield's 23-man first-team squad included 15 academy graduates. The most notable graduate was Jon Stead who was sold to Premier League side Blackburn Rovers for £1.25m in February 2004.^[2]

Following Peter Jackson's contract termination on 6 March 2007, Murphy was put in temporary charge of Huddersfield Town's first team affairs,^[3] a role that lasted for six games until 11 April 2007.

Then on 17 April 2007, Murphy was appointed Director of Football Development. In addition to his position as Academy Director he has been handed control of the Club's scouting activities.^[4]

Following Andy Ritchie's contract termination on 1 April 2008, Murphy was put in temporary charge of Huddersfield Town's first team affairs for the second time. His second tenure ended on 3 May, when Stan Ternent took over for the new season.

Following Ternent's sacking, Murphy was put in charge for a third time. After losing 4–3 to Port Vale in the FA Cup, Town beat Leeds United at Elland Road for the first time in nearly 25 years. This was followed by a win at Brighton & Hove Albion, their first ever at the Withdean Stadium, a defeat against Leyton Orient and victories over Walsall and Southend United. Murphy was replaced by new manager Lee Clark on 15 December.

In Murphy's three terms in charge, he has led the team to victories over Town's West Yorkshire rivals, Bradford City (2–0 on 10 March 2007) and Leeds United (1–0 on 15 April 2008 and 2–1 on 15 November 2008).

Products of the academy include Andy Holdsworth, Michael Collins, Nathan and Tom Clarke, David Mirfin, Jon Worthington, Jon Stead and Andy Booth.