On Monday 2nd November the death of our former player and centre-half Don Murray had passed away following a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia.
For many or our supporters, Don will be remembered as a blond-haired captain of Cardiff City whom he joined in August 1962 after playing junior football (Burghead Thistle) in his native Scotland and where he earned Youth and Under-23 Caps for Scotland.
Born in Duffus on 18th January 1946, Don was a born captain and held that role for many years at or the Bluebirds. He made 527 Bluebirds appearances, which saw him lift the Welsh Cup nine times, including five successive wins between 1967 and 1971, and play in 33 European Cup Winners Cup, including City’s famous 1-0 win against Real Madrid.
He joined Swansea Town briefly on loan in the 1973-74 season before transferring to Hearts in December 1974 for a £15,000 fee. There, described as an ‘Iron hard’, he made over 70 appearances, was made captain and helped the Jam Tarts earn a place in the newly formed Scottish Premier League. The 1975-76 season was to see him lead Hearts to the Scottish Cup Final but sadly he missed the match, which was lost to Rangers, with a calf injury.
With his young family and wife from Wales, Don (a self-declared naturalised Welshman), still troubled by the calf injury, joined Newport County under his old Cardiff City Manager, Jimmy Scoular in October 1976. On leaving County, Don joined Barry in January 1978 where he stayed until the end of the 1978-79 season.
Pic by Peter Wilson – Don Murray (centre) signs for Barry Town flanked by manager Basil Bright and Director Barry Oram.
Increasing demands of family life combined with a new career as a Residential Social Worker which included weekend work, restricted Don’s appearances with the Linnets. He was signed by Basil Bright and joined a team on the rise and which included some very good players such as Mike Cosslett, Trevor Nott, the Batt brothers (Percy and Dickie), George Young, former Welsh International John Emanuel and Mel Donovan to name but a few and readily passed on his experience to the club’s youngsters.
After assisting the Town’s young Welsh League team for the remainder of the 1978-79 season, he helped the team reach the Brains Cup Final (the re-named Welsh League Challenge Cup) against Pontllanfraith at Ton Pentre which Barry won on penalties, in the same manner as they’d overcome Milford United in the semi-final (where Don missed one of the kicks!).
Despite wanting to remain playing with the Town, it was too difficult to combine his job with playing and he retired from semi-professional football at the start of the 1979-80 season. Apart from a lifetime in football, Don also enjoyed country music and was a keen golfer, a trait shared with many a footballer.
After making his Town debut in a 3-1 loss at Burton in February 1978, Don made a total 28 First team appearances for the Linnets over two seasons and numerous more for the Welsh League side where he scored one goal.
Don’s loss to his family and the wider football community is a very sad one and our deepest consolations are sent to his to his family and close friends. Don, rest in peace.
