Arrived from Mossley with a hugely impressive CV, Appointed in December 1983 then changed his mind within two days, he took over officially in February 1984 and by the April he became the first Southport manager to win a Manager Of The Month award and by the June he had been offered a two year contract. Described by Charlie Clapham as the most difficult manager he has ever worked with Murphy was dismissed after a heated discussion following a Lancashire Junior Cup defeat at Morecambe in the December of 1984.