Darren Murphy

A tenacious, tough-tackling midfielder, the arrival of Darren Murphy during the 2008-9 campaign added some steel when it was needed most. Opinion was divided over his performances after his arrival, perhaps. But there is no disputing that Murphy’s role was crucial to the success of the team. Murphy’s first full season with us saw Graham Westley turn to him as his midfield strong-man; freeing up other midfielders to press forward.

An under-appreciated role on the football field, it was nonetheless vital to our promotion push. But the midfielder’s perceived lack of discipline at times came as an occupational hazard for a player of his type. Mind you, a red card against Cambridge United in the 2008-9 playoffs ranks as one of the greatest officiating farces. Well, in our mind anyway.

After scoring against Portsmouth in our first ever League Cup tie in 2010, Murphy suffered a broken leg and spent most of our debut Football League year out injured. He returned towards the end of the campaign, but injury was never far away going into 2011-2. And a brief loan spell away from the club in 2012 indicated his time with us was coming to an end. It ultimately proved right; Gary Smith releasing him in the summer. In Boro’ folklore, however, he’ll always be associated with one of the club’s greatest ever squads.

Stats do not include expunged Chester City fixtures in 2009-10.