Changes

Murphy left St Helens to become player-coach at Leigh, but the move characteristically was shrouded in controversy. Murphy had become unhappy at being moved to the centres to accommodate the signing of Tommy Bishop.  As the 1966/67 season began, Murphy declined to play for St Helens. He trained alone, and the news that Murphy was unsettled spread rapidly. The Australian club, North Sydney indicated their interest in obtaining his signature. At the end of September, Murphy submitted a written transfer request to the St Helens Board who accepted it, putting him on the list at £12,000.  

Murphy left St Helens to become player-coach at Leigh, but the move characteristically was shrouded in controversy. Murphy had become unhappy at being moved to the centres to accommodate the signing of Tommy Bishop.  As the 1966/67 season began, Murphy declined to play for St Helens. He trained alone, and the news that Murphy was unsettled spread rapidly. The Australian club, North Sydney indicated their interest in obtaining his signature. At the end of September, Murphy submitted a written transfer request to the St Helens Board who accepted it, putting him on the list at £12,000.  

North Sydney tabled a bid of St Helens' £8,000 for Murphy which was accepted. It seemed that the scrum half would be making the voyage down under that other British players such as Dick Huddart (and, at a later date, Malcolm Reilly) had made. However, at the last minute, Murphy agreed a 5 year deal with Leigh to become the highest paid coach in the Rugby League.

North Sydney tabled a bid of St Helens' £8,000 for Murphy which was accepted. It seemed that the scrum half would be making the voyage down under that other British players such as Dick Huddart (and, at a later date, Malcolm Reilly) had made. However, at the last minute, Murphy agreed a 5-year deal with Leigh to become the highest paid coach in the Rugby League.

Murphy's first game in charge of his new team was against his former club in a league match at Hilton Park. Murphy’s Leigh overcame a depleted St Helens side by 29-5. Murphy later recounted in an issue of the Rugby Leaguer some 20 years later that:

Murphy's first game in charge of his new team was against his former club in a league match at Hilton Park. Murphy’s Leigh overcame a depleted St Helens side by 29-5. Murphy later recounted in an issue of the Rugby Leaguer some 20 years later that:

===Coaching career===

===Coaching career===

Upon retirement, Murphy built upon the experience he had acquired as a player-coach by taking up the reigns as a full time coach. He was appointed to high profile roles at Salford, Wigan, Leigh and St Helens. In 1991, he joined [[Huddersfield]]:  within a year, promotion to the Second Division had been achieved.

Upon retirement, Murphy built upon the experience he had acquired as a player-coach by taking up the reigns as a full-time coach. He was appointed to high profile roles at Salford, Wigan, Leigh and St Helens. In 1991, he joined [[Huddersfield]]:  within a year, promotion to the Second Division had been achieved.

===Others===

===Others===