MURRAY, Joe (1933)

Overview

A resident of Uddingston, where he was born, Joe, who was 5’8” and tipped the scales at 11sts 6lbs, played at left half in the Accies side which appeared in the 1935 Cup Final following an injury to John Thomson. “Joker” as he was known was signed from Overton Athletic who were based at Gibertfield. Prior to that he had been with one of the Blantyre clubs. He was a do-or-die type and he earned the plaudits from Accies fans for his wholehearted efforts for the club.

As a result of being freed he left the club in 1936. His official debut for the club was in September 1933 as undernoted, but in actual fact he played on 6th May 1933 in the Southern Counties Cup against St Cuthbert Wanderers when Accies provided all the players who turned out under the banner of Mid Annandale that day and went on to beat Queen of the South in the Final a week later. The following year he received a Second Eleven Cup Winners medal with Accies. A surprise free in April 1936, he turned out for Ayr United against Kilmarnock in the Ayrshire Cup Final soon afterwards and was on the winning side. When the new season opened he had been signed by Brentford where he joined up with Bobby Reid once again. Returned to Scotland and joined Partick Thistle.

During the Second World War he was turning out at left back in a strong Burnbank Athletic eleven. While there he was chosen to represent and captain a Lanark and Lothians Select versus Third Lanark on 1st January 1942 at Cathkin Park. On being released by the Russell Park club he was signed by Blantyre Celtic in 1943 and their Secretary, Pat Kelly, stated that he was the best signing he had ever made. In 1944 he was chosen as a member of a Lanarkshire Junior Select to play against a combined Blantyre Victoria and Burnbank Athletic eleven in a Benefit Match for George Orr who had played for both clubs before losing a leg in an accident. He next signed in 1946, for new junior club, Thorniewood United, who had upgraded from the Juvenile ranks that season. Joker died in October 1990 at the age of 76.

Debut on 2nd September 1933 in a Scottish League match away to Ayr United.

Scottish League 46 Appearances 1 Goal

Scottish Cup 10 Appearances

Lanarkshire Cup 3 Appearances

Accies Career

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