County Mourn The Death Of Hall Of Fame Star Murray

A star in the 50, he made it into the club's Hall Of Fame and always kept the club close to his heart.

Vanarama National League North County posted a tribute to him on their website as they mourn the death of a club hero.

It read: "Bob Murray signed for County in November 1951 at the age of 19. He came down from Inverurie in Scotland on the recommendation of the brother of County manager Andy Beattie.

"A tall and rangy defender he signed for County despite the interest of a number of other clubs. County found him a job at AV Roe’s Woodford factory, where he gained his apprenticeship and he would train in the evenings after work. Loyalty was a hallmark of Bob Murray and after his 11 seasons at Edgeley Park he would return to work a further 27 years at the now BAE, before he retired in 1993.

"After a number of impressive displays for the reserves, Murray made his first team debut for The Hatters in Sept 1952. Mirroring the next decade, he was a virtual ever present for the rest of the season playing at half back, scoring the first of his 32 County goals at Edgeley Park v York City in Mar 1953.

"In Jan 1953, he had been described in local newspapers as County’s best prospect for many years. A remarkably consistent player, Murray missed only two games in the following season, despite being played in a number of positions including as a forward alongside Jack Connor.

"His nine goals that season being his best return as a County player, made all the more remarkable by the fact he was completing his national service at Market Drayton returning at weekends to play football.

"From the 1954-55 season Murray settled into his familiar half back position alongside firstly Gordon Wilmott and Frank Clempson, followed in later seasons by Ken Hodder and Trevor Porteous.

"An intelligent footballer, physically strong (despite a slim appearance) Murray embarked on a remarkable run of 226 consecutive League and Cup games, beginning in August 1954 and ended in February 1959.During this run, Murray created the Stockport County FC Football League consecutive appearance record of 213 games. Even more remarkable, during a period when both pitches and tactics were rough, is that between November 1952 and November 1963, Murray played in all of County’s 27 FA Cup games creating another appearance record that is unlikely to ever be beaten.

"When Murray’s career at Edgeley Park finished in May 1963, he left as the all-time leading appearance maker having played 465 League and Cup games. This was to remain in place until the current holder Andy Thorpe (555 games) passed this number in October 1991.

"Murray's record of 8 Cheshire FA medals with County, is another record unlikely ever to be equalled.

"After leaving County, Murray played non League football for Bangor City and Ashton United.

"In 2002 Bob Murray was one of the inaugural inductees into the Stockport County FC Hall of Fame.

"In 2010 he was one of the very first players to be presented his Stockport County Appearance Number (562) at the launch night of the scheme."