Pat Murphy was a broadcasting genius - he made you feel part of every match he covered and after the final match of his legendary career John Cross pays tribute
A BBC legend stood down on Saturday with a typically understated goodbye.
Pat Murphy posted on social media: “Just done my last report for 5Live Sport, ending 51 yrs at the Beeb & 44 in the Sports Dept. My decision. Will remain on this platform, fulminating & eulogising in equal measure. Thanks for listening & ( usually) the supportive feedback.”
This guy has been such a part of the BBC for so many years that he deserves to be celebrated as a national treasure.
He did not just play a huge part on the BBC’s Sports Report. He wrote the book on it! A Celebration of the World's Longest-Running Sports Radio Programme was shortlisted for the Sunday Times Sports Book Awards in 2023.
There was no better person to write it. Murphy has been a soundtrack to my life. I love Sports Report so much. James Alexander Gordon reading out the football scores… starting with the higher pitched home team and ending with a deeper voice for the team if they had lost.
I listened and studied it all. Murphy has been a brilliant broadcaster. His cutting remarks. Fearless reporting. He has got a lovely voice. He is a brilliant wordsmith who then puts it all out on the radio.
Amusingly on Saturday, he did Wolves as his final game. He did not hold back. His match summary said that Rob Edwards should be manager of the year if he could keep this lot up.
A little while later, Wolves boss Edwards presented Murphy with a signed programme and the club’s excellent press officer Max Fitzgerald posted a picture on X.
It made me laugh because he got tucked in - and they still thanked him. Because there is so much respect for Murphy. I’ll be honest, I don’t really know him. I’ve just listened and admired.
This was the guy that seemed to have a remarkable relationship with the great Brian Clough. A real understanding and some banter.
He really “got” the fans of clubs. Played on the emotion in a stadium. I like that so much. I love talking to fans and being in the ground. Not everyone is as respectful as Pat. Because he is older and experienced, he can also draw on comparisons. I love his stature and command.
I grew up with the radio. I still love the medium. I’ve always got it on. Listening to the FA Cup draw when I was at school, sneaking a radio with my mates behind the bike sheds on a Monday lunchtime. I remember a time when they only broadcast the second half of games live on the radio. I loved it.
I had a radio with me on the day of the Hillsborough tragedy. I was at another game. But I remember like it was yesterday. As the shocking events unfolded, everyone on the terrace with me that day stood as one football family. True football fans. Radio helped deliver that.
When it was too late to stay up for a midweek game, I’d sneak my radio under the covers. Then my dad would leave a note for me to wake up to. He put a massive piece of paper on the back of my bedroom door after one miracle result. It’s one of my best and clearest memories.
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Mike Walters)Pat seemed to be part of all that. He’s been part of the BBC for as long as I can remember. I love 5Live and it’s coverage now. The Commentators’ View is a favourite podcast. It’s brilliant.
You feel like you know these people. I love listening to Ian Dennis’ commentary on a Saturday afternoon while out for a long walk. Paul Robinson was a brilliant summariser from Anfield at the weekend. Michael Brown makes me laugh. They are so well prepared and researched.
When I get the chance, that’s my biggest treat in life. John Murray is such a great commentator. I admire him so much. Lovely man, too.
When the BBC’s racing commentator John Hunt suffered a family tragedy, I’m quite sure every listener prayed for him and his family. I listen to him most Saturdays. His bravery is unparalleled. He should be Sports Personality of the Year. What a man.
I was so sad when Mark Chapman announced Murphy was going. What a legend. I think he’s just marvellous. And a little part of my love for radio ebbed away.
Gone but never forgotten. These guys are the soundtrack to so many of our lives. And why I love Saturday afternoons.
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