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Personal
Fullname: Philip Murray
aka: Phil Murray
Born:24 August 1865
Died: 4 December 1949
Birthplace: Wolstanton, Staffordshire
Signed: May 1888
Position: Left half-back
Debut: Celtic 5-2 Rangers XI, Friendly, 28 May 1888
Internationals: n/a
Biog
Philip Murray had the honour to play in the first ever Celtic team which defeated Rangers 5-2. He is thus one of the first ever Celts, and came from Cambuslang Hibernian to play in what is now recognised as an historic match.
It will also have been an honour as a number of his fellow teammates on the day, as well as in the opposition side, were renowned established names in the game.
He went on to play further friendly matches for Celtic in June 1888, including a 1-0 victory over Dundee Harp and a 3-3 draw to Mossend Swifts.
In a match report in The Scottish Umpire, he was noted for his performance in the 1-0 victory over Dundee Harp (Celtic’s first clean-sheet):
“The strongest point of the Celtic’s team on Saturday was the back division, Phil Murray at half being particularly noticeable”.
From records it doesn’t appear that he stayed at Celtic long enough to play in any competitive matches, such as the Glasgow Exhibition Cup in August 1888, the club’s first competition.
Of his other clubs, he definitely played for Blantyre Celtic in August 1893 but there are reports of him having played elsewhere in Scotland and Ireland too.
He later moved to the US, leaving Greenock in 1901 on the City of Rome ship bound for the coal fields of Pennsylvania.
He may have left Celtic but it is believed that he retained some link, and he later travelled 500miles to see Celtic when the first team toured the US in 1931, the club’s first American tour.
He passed away on 4 December 1949.
Playing Career
Played in no competitive matches for Celtic
(Player added also to: “Players Who Never Played a Game M – Z”)
Honours with Celtic
none
Pictures
Links
1901 Scotland Census about Philip Murray
Name: Philip Murray
Age: 36
Estimated birth year: abt 1865
Relationship: Head
Spouse’s name : Ellen
Gender: Male
Where born: England
Registration Number: 624
Registration district: Blantyre
Civil parish: Blantyre
County: Lanarkshire
Address: 13 Netherfield Pl
Occupation: Colling Checkwrigttner
ED: 5A
Household schedule number: 304
Line: 20
Roll: CSSCT1901_246
Household Members:
Name Age
Philip Murray 36
Ellen Murray 30
Mary Murray 12
William Murray 9
John Murray 7
Maggie Murray 5
Peter Murray 2
Ellen Murray 1 m
This photo has been sent to the Celtic Graves Society of Phil Murray who so many of you helped to find.
..as sent last night by his great grandson Pat Murray who tends the grave you can see in my avatar. Pictured with his wife Ellen sometime in the 1930’s.
Phil Murray played in Celtic’s first ever match in 1888 when we beat Rangers 5-2. He is one of the first ever Celts.
This is the first time Phil has been seen by Celtic fans since he left Greenock in 1901 on the City of Rome bound for the coal fields of Pennsylvania.
Another incredible link found to Phil Murray, proving beyond doubt that he remained a Tim all through his time in the USA.
From the tour report of the first American tour in 1931. Credit to Brother Walfrid of Celtic Graves Society for unearthing this.
