Rhys Murphy

Association footballer

Rhys Murphy

Murphy playing for Yeovil Town in 2023

Personal information
Full name|  Rhys Philip Elliot Murphy[1]
Date of birth|  (1990-11-06) 6 November 1990 (age 34)[2]
Place of birth|  Shoreham-by-Sea, England
Height|  6 ft 0 in (1.82 m)[3]
Position(s)|  Striker[4]
Team information

Current team

|  Horsham
Youth career
|  Wimbledon
0000–2008|  Arsenal
Senior career*
Years|  Team|  Apps|  (Gls)
2008–2012|  Arsenal|  0|  (0)
2009–2010|  → Brentford (loan)|  5|  (0)
2012|  → Preston North End (loan)|  5|  (0)
2012–2013|  Telstar|  28|  (7)
2013–2015|  Dagenham & Redbridge|  41|  (14)
2015–2016|  Oldham Athletic|  24|  (3)
2015|  → Crawley Town (loan)|  15|  (9)
2016|  → AFC Wimbledon (loan)|  7|  (1)
2016–2018|  Forest Green Rovers|  17|  (7)
2016–2017|  → York City (loan)|  5|  (0)
2017|  → Crawley Town (loan)|  15|  (1)
2017|  → Torquay United (loan)|  8|  (1)
2018|  Gillingham|  1|  (0)
2018–2019|  Chelmsford City|  38|  (25)
2019–2021|  Yeovil Town|  58|  (29)
2021–2023|  Southend United|  32|  (9)
2023–2024|  Yeovil Town|  25|  (10)
2024–2025|  Dorking Wanderers|  18|  (5)
2025–|  Horsham|  0|  (0)
International career
2005|  Republic of Ireland U15|  1|  (0)
2005–2006|  England U16|  1|  (1)
2006–2007|  England U17|  18|  (9)
2007–2009|  England U19|  7|  (3)
2011–2012|  Republic of Ireland U21|  3|  (1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 13:49, 29 April 2025 (UTC)

Rhys Philip Elliot Murphy (born 6 November 1990) is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for National League South club Horsham.

He has played in the English Football League for Brentford, Preston North End, Dagenham & Redbridge, Oldham Athletic, Crawley Town, AFC Wimbledon, Forest Green Rovers and Gillingham.

Murphy represented his native England at under-16, under-17 and under-19 international levels, but switched allegiance to the Republic of Ireland in 2011 and played for their under-21 team.

## Club career

[edit]

Murphy was born in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex.[5] He broke into the Arsenal reserve team as a schoolboy, while also scoring 17 goals in 21 matches for the Arsenal Academy.[6] He was previously an academy player for Wimbledon before joining Arsenal Academy.[6] He signed his first professional contract in July 2008.[7] He won the 2008–09 Premier Academy League with the Arsenal under-18 team, scoring the only goal in the play-off final versus Tottenham Hotspur,[8] and the 2008–09 FA Youth Cup.[9] He joined League One club Brentford on loan for three months on 24 November 2009.[10] In August 2011, Murphy had a trial with Scottish Premier League champions Rangers and played for their reserve team.[11] In January 2012, he had a trial with Hibernian, another SPL club.[12] He signed for League One club Preston North End on loan until the end of the 2011–12 season.[13] On 22 May 2012, Murphy was released by Arsenal.[14]

Murphy joined Eerste Divisie club Telstar on 9 June 2012, signing a one-year contract with an option for a second.[15] He made his debut on 10 August 2012 in a 2–1 home defeat to Helmond Sport.[16] In the 67th minute, he was substituted for Leandro Resida who scored three minutes after.[16]

He signed for League Two club Dagenham & Redbridge on 22 July 2013 on a two-year contract.[17] He scored on his debut in the 3–1 defeat away to Fleetwood Town on 3 August 2013.[18] He then scored his second goal for Dagenham in a 2–0 home win against York City the following week.[18]

On 2 February 2015, Murphy signed for League One club Oldham Athletic on a two-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £20,000, to accelerate a pre-contract agreement set to activate in the 2015 summer transfer window.[19][20] Manager Lee Johnson said of the arrival, "I'm really pleased to bring Rhys to the club and he is an exciting prospect for us, I'm looking forward to working with him and he will fit into our style of play seamlessly".[19] He joined League Two club Crawley Town on 17 September 2015 on a 93-day loan.[21]

On 7 July 2016, Murphy signed for National League club Forest Green Rovers for a nominal fee.[22] His first goal for Forest Green came on 20 August 2016 in a 2–1 home win over York.[23] He followed his first goal up by scoring twice in a 4–1 away victory over Maidstone United a week later on 27 August 2016.[24] On 1 December 2016, Murphy joined Forest Green's divisional rivals York City on loan until 7 January 2017.[25][26] On 31 January 2017, Murphy returned to League Two club Crawley Town on loan for the remainder of 2016–17.[27] Five days later, Murphy made his Crawley return in a 2–1 home defeat against Stevenage, replacing Enzio Boldewijn with 12 minutes remaining.[28] On 19 September 2017, Murphy joined National League side Torquay United on a three-month loan deal.[29] He had his contract with Forest Green cancelled by mutual consent on 9 January 2018.[30]

Murphy signed for League One club Gillingham on 31 January 2018 on a short-term contract.[31]

Murphy signed for National League South club Chelmsford City on 11 July 2018.[32] On 26 December 2018, Murphy scored his first hat-trick for the club in a 5–1 win against rivals Billericay Town.[33] Murphy was released by Chelmsford at the end of the 2018–19 season, having been the club's top scorer with 28 goals in all competitions.[34]

Murphy signed for newly relegated National League club Yeovil Town on 26 June 2019 on a two-year contract.[35]

On 10 June 2021, after weeks of speculation, Murphy agreed a two-year deal to join recently relegated National League side Southend United, officially joining the club on 1 July 2021 upon the expiration of his Yeovil contract.[36]

In June 2023, Yeovil Town announced that Murphy was rejoining the club following the expiry of his contract at Southend United on 1 July 2023.[37]

In May 2024, Dorking Wanderers announced that Murphy would be joining the club following the expiry of his contract at Yeovil Town, after he rejected the offer of a new contract.[38] On 14 May 2025, it was announced that Murphy would leave the club at the end of his contract in June.[39]

On 5 July 2025, following his release from Dorking Wanderers, Murphy agreed to join newly-promoted National League South side, Horsham.[40]

## International career

[edit]

### England

[edit]

Murphy has played for the England under-16 and under-17 teams and was part of under-19 squad that reached the final of 2009 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.[41][42]

### Republic of Ireland

[edit]

Before playing for England, Murphy represented the Republic of Ireland at under-15 level[43] and after an approach from Irish under-21 Head Coach Noel King, he switched his allegiance back to the country of his grandfather.[44] He was called up to the under-21 squad in August 2011,[45] and made his debut on 1 September 2011 against Hungary at the Showgrounds, scoring the winner in a 2–1 victory.[46]

## Career statistics

[edit]

As of match played 29 April 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition  Club  | Season  | League  | National Cup[a] | League Cup[b] | Other  | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|

Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals
Arsenal | 2009–10[47] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
2010–11[48] | Premier League  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
2011–12[49] | Premier League  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Total  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Brentford (loan)  | 2009–10[47] | League One | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 6 | 0
Preston North End (loan)  | 2011–12[49] | League One  | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | 5 | 0
Telstar | 2012–13[16] | Eerste Divisie | 28 | 7 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 30 | 7
Dagenham & Redbridge | 2013–14[18] | League Two | 32 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[c] | 0 | 35 | 13
2014–15[50] | League Two  | 9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1
Total  | 41 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 14
Oldham Athletic | 2014–15[50] | League One  | 11 | 0 | — | — | — | 11 | 0
2015–16[51] | League One  | 13 | 3 | — | 0 | 0 | 1[c] | 0 | 14 | 3
Total  | 24 | 3 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 3
Crawley Town (loan)  | 2015–16[51] | League Two  | 15 | 9 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 9
AFC Wimbledon (loan)  | 2015–16[51] | League Two  | 7 | 1 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1
Forest Green Rovers | 2016–17[16] | National League | 17 | 7 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 17 | 7
2017–18[52] | League Two  | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Total  | 17 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 7
York City (loan)  | 2016–17[16] | National League  | 5 | 0 | — | — | 1[d] | 2 | 6 | 2
Crawley Town (loan)  | 2016–17[16] | League Two  | 15 | 1 | — | — | — | 15 | 1
Torquay United (loan)  | 2017–18[16] | National League  | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1
Gillingham | 2017–18[52] | League One  | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0
Chelmsford City | 2018–19[53] | National League South | 38 | 25 | 1 | 0 | — | 4[e] | 3 | 43 | 28
Yeovil Town | 2019–20[16] | National League  | 30 | 17 | 1 | 0 | — | 3[f] | 3 | 34 | 20
2020–21[16] | National League  | 28 | 12 | 3 | 2 | — | 0 | 0 | 31 | 14
Total  | 58 | 29 | 4 | 2 | — | 3 | 3 | 65 | 34
Southend United | 2021–22[16] | National League  | 21 | 7 | 2 | 2 | — | 1[d] | 0 | 24 | 9
2022–23[16] | National League  | 11 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2
Total  | 32 | 9 | 3 | 2 | — | 1 | 0 | 36 | 11
Yeovil Town  | 2023–24[16] | National League South  | 25 | 10 | 5 | 5 | — | 0 | 0 | 30 | 15
Dorking Wanderers | 2024–25[16] | National League South  | 18 | 5 | 1 | 0 | — | 4[g] | 5 | 23 | 10
Horsham | 2025–26[16] | National League South  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Career total  | 342 | 121 | 21 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 13 | 379 | 142

1. ^ Includes FA Cup, KNVB Cup
2. ^ Includes League Cup
3. ^ a b Appearance in Football League Trophy
4. ^ a b Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
5. ^ Three appearances and three goals in Essex Senior Cup, one appearance in National League South play-offs
6. ^ Two appearances and three goals in FA Trophy, one appearance in National League play-offs
7. ^ Three appearances and five goals in Surrey Senior Cup, one appearance in National League South play-offs

## Honours

[edit]

Arsenal

* Premier Academy League: 2008–09[8]
* FA Youth Cup: 2008–09[9]

AFC Wimbledon

* Football League Two play-offs: 2016[54]

Yeovil Town

* National League South: 2023–24[55]

England U19

* UEFA European Under-19 Championship runner-up: 2009[42]

Individual

* Chelmsford City Player of the Year: 2018–19[56]
* Chelmsford City Players' Player of the Year: 2018–19[56]
* Chelmsford City Away Player of the Year: 2018–19[56]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "List of players given a free transfer: Gillingham" (PDF). English Football League. p. 100. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
2. ^ "Rhys Murphy: Overview". ESPN. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
3. ^ "Rhys Murphy". Yeovil Town F.C. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
4. ^ Evans, Daniel (26 June 2019). "Yeovil Town sign striker Rhys Murphy from Chelmsford City". Somerset Live. Local World. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
5. ^ "Rhys Murphy". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
6. ^ a b "Player profile – Rhys Murphy". Arsenal F.C. 31 July 2007. Archived from the original on 30 October 2016.
7. ^ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 152\. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
8. ^ a b Taylor, Declan (17 May 2009). "Tottenham Hotspur Youth 0–1 Arsenal Youth". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
9. ^ a b Jones, Max (26 May 2015). "2009 FA Youth Cup". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
10. ^ "Another Gunner signs for the Bees". Brentford F.C. 24 November 2009. Archived from the original on 26 February 2012.
11. ^ Bailey, Graeme (2 August 2011). "Gers check on Murphy". Sky Sports. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
12. ^ McLauchlin, Brian (19 January 2012). "Arsenal's Rhys Murphy on trial as Hibs make Jim Goodwin enquiry". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
13. ^ "Preston North End sign Rhys Murphy from Arsenal". BBC Sport. 30 January 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
14. ^ "Manuel Almunia among seven players to be released by Arsenal". BBC Sport. 22 May 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
15. ^ "Telstar legt Arsenal talent vast" [Telstar captures Arsenal talent] (in Dutch). SC Telstar. 9 June 2012. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013.
16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "R. Murphy: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
17. ^ "Daggers add striker". Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. 22 July 2013. Archived from the original on 3 December 2016.
18. ^ a b c "Games played by Rhys Murphy in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
19. ^ a b "Signing: Striker added to ranks". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
20. ^ Chambers, Matthew (2 February 2015). "Wilkinson back to boost strike force". Oldham Evening Chronicle. Archived from the original on 30 October 2016.
21. ^ "Crawley sign Oldham's Rhys Murphy on loan & Ross Jenkins". BBC Sport. 17 September 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
22. ^ "Rhys Murphy signs from Oldham Athletic". Forest Green Rovers F.C. 7 July 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
23. ^ "Forest Green Rovers 2–1 York City". BBC Sport. 20 August 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
24. ^ "Maidstone United 1–4 Forest Green Rovers". BBC Sport. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
25. ^ Flett, Dave (1 December 2016). "Forest Green pair Rhys Murphy and Aarran Racine join York City on loan". The Press. York. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
26. ^ Flett, Dave (30 December 2016). "York City boss Gary Mills admits he would "love" to keep Forest Green loan pair Rhys Murphy and Aarran Racine on a permanent basis". The Press. York. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
27. ^ "Rhys Murphy: Crawley re-sign Forest Green striker on loan". BBC Sport. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
28. ^ "Games played by Rhys Murphy in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
29. ^ "Rhys Murphy: Torquay sign striker on loan from Forest Green Rovers". BBC Sport. 19 September 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
30. ^ Loveridge, Ashley (9 January 2018). "Former Arsenal striker leaves Forest Green". Stroud News & Journal. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
31. ^ "Rhys Murphy: Gillingham sign free-agent striker on short-term deal". BBC Sport. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
32. ^ "Clarets agree terms for striker". Chelmsford City F.C. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2019 – via Pitchero.
33. ^ Parker, Steve. "Chelmsford City 5 Billericay Town 1". Chelmsford City F.C. Retrieved 13 July 2019 – via Pitchero.
34. ^ Berry, Chris (9 May 2019). "Murphy departs". Chelmsford City F.C. Retrieved 13 July 2019 – via Pitchero.
35. ^ "Potent Murphy added to the ranks". Yeovil Town F.C. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
36. ^ "BLUES SIGN RHYS MURPHY!". www.southendunited.co.uk. 10 June 2021.
37. ^ "Signing | Rhys Murphy returns to Huish Park". Yeovil Town F.C. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
38. ^ "Rhys Murphy joins Dorking Wanderers". Dorking Wanderers F.C. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
39. ^ "MARC WHITE PROVIDES HIS ANNUAL UPDATE ON PLAYERS DEPARTING THE WANDERERS". Dorking Wanderers FC. 14 May 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
40. ^ "Rhys Murphy Signs". www.horshamfc.co.uk. 5 July 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
41. ^ TheFA.com
42. ^ a b "England 0–2 Ukraine: Lineups". UEFA. Archived from the original on 19 December 2015.
43. ^ Fallon, John (1 September 2011). "Murphy eager to open Irish U-21 account". Irish Independent. Dublin. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
44. ^ "Rhys Murphy set for 'second' Irish debut". Football Association of Ireland. 29 August 2011. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
45. ^ "King names squad for double-header Euro qualifier". Football Association of Ireland. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
46. ^ Fallon, John (2 September 2011). "Murphy marks debut with winner". The Irish Times. Dublin. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
47. ^ a b "Games played by Rhys Murphy in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
48. ^ "Games played by Rhys Murphy in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
49. ^ a b "Games played by Rhys Murphy in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
50. ^ a b "Games played by Rhys Murphy in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
51. ^ a b c "Games played by Rhys Murphy in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
52. ^ a b "Games played by Rhys Murphy in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
53. ^ "Rhys Murphy: 2018/2019 season". Chelmsford City F.C. Retrieved 13 July 2019 – via Pitchero.
54. ^ Pilnick, Brent (30 May 2016). "AFC Wimbledon 2–0 Plymouth Argyle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
55. ^ "Yeovil Town: Club secure promotion to National League after season in sixth tier". BBC Sport. 11 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
56. ^ a b c Elliott, Sam (9 May 2019). "Goal ace Murphy to move on as Clarets confirm his exit". National League. Retrieved 13 July 2019.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rhys Murphy.

* Profile Archived 26 February 2021 at the Wayback Machine at the Yeovil Town F.C. website
* Profile at the Football Association of Ireland website
* Rhys Murphy at Soccerbase

*[Apps]: League appearances
*[Gls]: League goals