Wolves legend Murray dies

Monday 29th September 2008, 11:44AM BST.

wd3075822jimmy-murray-db.jpgWolves great Jimmy Murray has died from prostate cancer at 72.

The prolific centre-forward, who scored 166 goals in 299 senior matches at Molineux, died on Saturday at St Giles Hospice in Lichfield.

Former team mates today paid tribute to his goal-scoring exploits which helped Wolves to two Championship medals in 1958 and 1959, and a 3-0 FA Cup victory over Blackburn in 1960. Murray scored a goal every 162 minutes for Wolves between 1955 and 1963, and netted five hat tricks for the club, including three in four-weeks.

Former Wolves goalkeeper Malcolm Finlayson, who played in goal for the FA Cup final, said today: “He was not only a great player but a lovely man and he will be much missed by his old team mates. He was extremely quiet and very reserved off the pitch when praised for his ability – he would often wonder what all the fuss was about. I think that sums him up,” he added.

Murray scored a total of 211 goals in 404 matches during his career, the majority of which came for Wolves.

He left Wolves to play for Manchester City and later on Walsall and Telford before retiring in 1969.

Peter Creed, of the Wolves Former Players Association, said: “Our thoughts go out to his family.”


  1. 1
    WOSSA IN TENERIFE

    QUALITY BLOKE IN A QUALITY TEAM

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  2. 2
    FrenchWolf

    Great player, could really take a penalty,always placed just inside the post.

    R I P

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  3. 4
    Cornish Wolf

    Bye Jimmy. God bless.

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  4. 5
    Blake's Heaven

    God Bless you, R.I.P
    Condolences to the family

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  5. 6
    Jon

    Sadly another great has gone but never forgotton RIP jimmy

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  6. 7
    Pembrokeshire Wolf

    Gave me so much pleasure when I was a lad. I think his debut was one of the famous floodlit friendlies against Real Madrid.

    Wonderful player and a wonderful man.

    R.I.P.

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  7. 8
    Southampton Wolf

    Very sad, I am 53 so missed the great 50′s team but spent many hours listening to my dad’s stories. However I did see Jimmy play once for Walsall in the late 60′s, whatever happened to those days when we went to watch Walsall when Wolves were away? I cannot stand this vitriole between fans of the West Midlands clubs. I went to school in Darlaston and my mates were Albion or Wolves with the odd Walsall and Villa fan, yes we had banter but we were still mates, non of this hatred of today. It’s when news like this breaks that one realises how fragile life is. No doubt quite correctly there will be another minutes silence, probably tomorrow night. Which just hits home just how great that team of the fifties was that after 50 years now we still show our respects to such fantastic servants of our club. What a scoring record, if only one of the present crop of players could emulate that!

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  8. 9
    DebenhamWolf

    So sad! The greatest unsung hero of our greatest days. I can see him now under the floodlights leading the line immaculately, rising and smashing driven crosses goalwards. Top, top player.

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  9. 10
    Martin Davies

    Very sad news. A boyhood hero of mine. Such a classy player who linked up so well with Peter Broadbent. He always seem to have time and space and could score equally well with his head or both feet. My sympathy goes to his family.

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  10. 11
    Bridget & Tony

    8 Well said SW

    RIP Jimmy Murray

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  11. 12
    Bemused Wolf

    Jimmy Murray was the best striker in the best side that we ever had. His goal scoring record speaks for itself. Nobody since came near him as a goal scorer. RIP Jimmy Murray.

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  12. 13
    Loyal-Cannock-Wolf

    Another Legend gone…

    Will always be remembered as a true great. RIP

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  13. 14
    Solentwolves

    Privileged to be there throughout the ‘Fifties, I can picture him now, leading the line – a great centre-forward. So many golden memories, thank you Jimmy. Our thoughts are with his family.

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  14. 15
    Gerald Cooper

    From A Saddler who remembers you only in the twilight of career, but good times nevertheless. God Bless Jimmy, you have had a quality life, much to be proud of, making thousands of people very happy. RIP and Thank you …..

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  15. 16
    WOLVES AY WE !!

    R.I.P
    Wanders Will Never Die We Will Keep The Gold Flag Flying High !

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  16. 17
    lisa_wolves

    rip!!!

    an theres a minutes silence at the game 2moro!!!

    then hopefully can go on & win it in his honour!!

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  17. 18
    Alfred Camilleri

    Sad to hear of another Wolves Legend departing this life. Remember Jimmy quite well as he was in the winning FA Cup Final team that beat Blackburn 3-0 as this was the first match I saw Wolves play.
    So now he joins fellow mates of that team who died before him, Norman Deeley and Eddie Clamp, another two legends of our favourite team.
    Jimmy was not an unsung hero. How could he be with all those goals that gave much pleasure to all Wolves fans.
    Condolences to his family and may he rest in peace.
    Thanks for the memories Jim.

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  18. 19
    baggieken68

    Sad news.
    I also remember Jimmy playing for
    Walsall, top man, condolences to his family.
    God bless, RIP.

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  19. 20
    Filtonwolf (Bristol)

    8. Southampton …which school did you go to ? I am 3 years older than you so not in the same year at school but I went to Darlaston Grammar (as it was in those days.

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  20. 21
    Norway Wolf

    I remember him as one of the heroes of my boyhood, supporting the best team in the country and Jimmy was one of our best.

    Thanks for the memories…

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  21. 22
    John

    Another one gone, RIP Jimmy. You,ll never be forgotten by my generation. A super centre forward and super gentleman.

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  22. 23
    John Spain

    A sad day, excellent player and goal scorer a really true professional. It was a golden age and a joy to watch the wolves in those days when we used to win 3-0 most matches. He was a role model on the pitch, no play acting, arguing, fighting etc. What a guy!!

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  23. 24
    turgutrieswolf

    rip old son…a gold&black god..god bless

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  24. 25
    THE REAL DUDLEY WOLF

    Jimmy not only starred for Wolves, he was a comrade in the South Staffords Whittington Bks Lichfield, A great player & soldier who will be fondly remembered. Condolences to is family and friends. R.I.P Jimmy.

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  25. 26
    essexwolf

    A class goalscorer. exiting player, terrific record, a true Wolves legend RIP

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  26. 27
    Billywiseman

    God Bless-Was only a child when he was banging them in for Wolves but dad often rated him–RIP Regards to all the family–CD

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  27. 28
    Mikeoldgold

    Another leaf falls from the tree. Jimmy – a heartfelt thank you. May you rest in peace.

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  28. 29
    wolwan79

    A schoolboy hero of mine, Fantastic memories of sitting on the wall in the Enclosure with me Dad.
    What a goal scorer, would be worth 30 million quid in today’s market.
    God Bless Jimmy, you will always live on in our memories! Thoughts and prayer with your family..RIP

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  29. 30
    ilkeston wolf

    Well said 8.
    Pity the club do so little to let fans see the men who made this club the great institution that it is.

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  30. 31
    Grogphil

    R I P What a goal scoring record!

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  31. 32
    maltawolf

    Another sad loss RIP Jim God Bless

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  32. 33
    Malvern Wolf

    One of the biggest stars during my first few years supporting our great club. So many heroes seem to be going, I am finding it really depressing. My condolences to all family and friends RIP

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  33. 34
    Robert

    Jimmy, Peter Broadbent and I came from the same village and were shcoolfriends. Jimmy, like Peter, was never without a tennis ball in his pocket and practised his skills continually. Met him at Schalke FC when I was in the R.A.F.
    A wonderful man who did not consider himself above the spectator because of his talent.
    He will be missed by his family and all who knew him from Elvington, will see this as another sad day in their lives.
    Rest in peace Jimmy, your work is done.

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  34. 35
    johnnoscousebaggie

    r i p jimmy have a pint in heaven with another great norman deeley

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  35. 36
    North Devon Wolf

    Well said No 8.I enjoyed watching great players at Wolves and West Brom in the fifties.No aggro no bother just football.

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  36. 37
    SPA

    I worked with Jim for many years after he retired from football. He was one of the lovliest men you could wish to meet. Kind, unassuming, a true gent.
    Alot of todays primadonnas would do well to take a leaf from Jims book.A TRULY GREAT MAN.
    God Bless my friend.

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  37. 38
    Seaside Saddler

    I am 54 years old and remember Jimmy from the 60′s at Walsall. he was well past his best then but still a fabulous player for the the third division
    RIP Jimmy

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