Scott Murray (footballer, born 1974)

For other people named Scott Murray, see Scott Murray (disambiguation).

Scott Murray

Personal information
Full name	Scott George Murray
Date of birth	(1974-05-26) 26 May 1974
Place of birth	Aberdeen, Scotland
Height
Position(s)	Winger
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1990–1994	Fraserburgh	122	(34)
1994–1997	Aston Villa	4	(0)
1997–2003	Bristol City	225	(46)
2003–2004	Reading	34	(5)
2004–2009	Bristol City	129	(28)
2008	→ Cheltenham Town (loan)	13	(2)
2009–2010	Yeovil Town	20	(2)
2010–2012	Bath City	68	(14)
Total		615	(131)
International career
2004	Scotland B	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Scott George Murray (born 26 May 1974) is a Scottish former professional footballer who is now employed as the kitman at Bristol City.

Club career

Born in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, and a product of the Scottish Highland Football League, Murray started his professional football career at his local Highland League club Fraserbugh FC, where he played for the first-team for four years, and impressive performances lead to trials from Celtic and Liverpool. However, Murray was not made a permanent signing with these clubs, but then Premier League side Aston Villa stepped in, and after scoring the quickest ever hat-trick in the Premiership Reserve League, with his three strikes coming inside the first 12 minutes, Villa paid Fraserburgh £35,000 (at the time, the biggest fee received by a Highland League Club for a transfer) for his services.

However, during his three years at Villa Park, Murray failed to make a big impression and made only 4 league appearances in this time.

He was signed by Bristol City from Aston Villa in December 1997 and was City's top scorer in the 2002–03 season.

He later joined Reading for £650,000 in June 2003, and was a first team regular for Alan Pardew. In March 2004, he rejoined Bristol City. Murray's return boosted City's form but they lost in that season's playoff final to Brighton & Hove Albion. He was made club captain during Brian Tinnion's spell as manager.

In the 2006–07 season, City were drawn against Premier League side Middlesbrough in the FA Cup. Murray scored a chip against Australian number one Mark Schwarzer to earn the Robins a 2–2 draw at Ashton Gate, however they eventually lost the tie on penalties in the replay.

A key player in City's promotion push despite a stress fracture to his fourth metatarsal bone restricting him to 37 appearances, he has signed a new one-year extension to his contract.

On 15 September, Murray became new Cheltenham Town manager Martin Allen's first signing on an emergency one-month loan, returning to Bristol City on 15 December. Murray was released by Bristol City in May 2009.

On 1 July, it was confirmed that he had signed a one-year contract with Yeovil Town becoming manager Terry Skiverton's third summer signing. He scored a brace in the 2–2 home draw with Brighton to rescue a point, with goals either side of half time bringing up his 100th and 101st career goals. He was released by Yeovil along with three other players on 13 May 2010.

Murray signed for part-time Football Conference side Bath City on a 12-month deal so that he could focus on his coaching role at Bristol City.

Scott Murray also created a book, Football for dummies.

International

Murray has been capped by the Scotland B team after coming on as a substitute against Germany.

External links

• Scott Murray profile at bcfc.co.uk
• Scott Murray profile at readingfc.co.uk
• Scott Murray career statistics at Soccerbase
• Virtual replay of Murray's goal against Middlesbrough