After 205 appearances, 11 goals and 6 seasons with the club, and after achieving promotion from all four of the Step 3 leagues, Kieran Murphy has decided to retire from football.
In his own words Kieran sums up his decision below;
“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”
Dr Seuss
This is true of so many moments this season: Walton away in the cup, Braintree at home, FA Cup first round, away wins, a great home record and, of course, Harrow away. I have tried my best to savour as many of them as I can knowing deep down this would be my last season. I couldn’t think of a better group to have enjoyed playing with and playing for and what we have achieved this season was beyond my wildest dreams when I was without a club back in late August.
I stood on the sidelines at Bracknell last April and was gutted for everyone and I would never have believed you if you’d have told me what would follow this year. I feel incredibly lucky to have been given the chance to come back this season and play a small part in the club’s success; this success has been a goal for so many people for many, many years and to see the outpouring of emotion on fans’ faces made the moment celebrating away at Harrow even more special.
I said a couple of years ago that the club was in safe hands and JD, Muzza and the rest of the team have shown exactly why! I knew within 15 minutes of the build up to their first game in charge that this was something I really wanted to be part of and it’s been a pleasure ever since. Now it’s time for the club to kick on again and really establish itself at Step 2. I know it’s ready and I know the management team and players are itching to get started. I’m looking forward to cheering on from the sidelines.
I apologise in advance for leaving this note with a few thank yous…
Thank you to everyone at the club that has supported me whether that’s been cheering us on, sponsoring me over the years, giving constructive criticism or volleys of abuse, and for all the people who give hours and hours each week as volunteers to allow the club to function. I hope you all enjoy next year and beyond!
Thank you to JD for persuading others to take me back earlier this season when there were many around non-league that thought I was finished! Muzza and JD, it really has been a pleasure and I thank you for everything (minus the pay cuts) over the last six seasons.
Thank you to all the players and rest of the management team who have put up with me – you’ve helped me retire a happy man.
A huge thank you to my family. The best parents anyone could dream of. Over the years, there have been as many words of wisdom and support as there have been miles travelled around the country. Thank you!
To my brothers who were always ready with a jibe or two to keep my feet on the floor but have been a bigger support than they would ever realise.
Thank you to my wife who has always been the one that has picked me up after a bad performance or a bad result and has sacrificed a lot for me to be able to keep playing for so long. Seeing you and Joanie jumping up and down behind the goal after the second one at Harrow is a special memory!
There’s no doubt I’ll miss playing but I just know the time is right to step aside. Another Dr Seuss quote that I’ve thought of many times over the last few months is “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened” and I have certainly smiled a lot.
Up the Chesh!
Murph
