Keeper comes full circle as he plays for boyhood club in Carabao Cup at 42 – 23 years after facing SAME TEAM at Wembley
JOE MURPHY played for Tranmere against Leicester last night, 23 years after starting a League Cup final between the same two teams.
Tranmere met the Foxes at the old Wembley following a sensational run to the final in 1999-2000.
In the showpiece match, 18-year-old Murphy was given the nod between the sticks.
It wasn’t quite to be for John Aldridge’s men, who were beaten 2-1 on that occasion thanks to Matt Elliott’s double.
The match remains a special memory for Murphy, however, who went on to be capped by Ireland and play in the Premier League.
He returned to boyhood club Tranmere in 2019, largely serving as their experienced backup goalkeeper.
Murphy has played in this season’s League Cup matches, however, and was last night given another opportunity to face Leicester.
Ahead of the match, he told The Guardian: “It’s all a bit surreal.
“I’ve been full circle club-wise with coming back three years ago to where it all started for me, and now this. It does make you feel old.”
Murphy, 42, acquitted himself well against Enzo Maresca’s Foxes, but was powerless to prevent his side falling to a 2-0 defeat.
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Wilfred Ndidi gave Leicester the lead on 55 minutes, before Jamie Vardy‘s header sealed progression to round three.
Eight of Tranmere’s current squad were not born when Murphy played for them in the League Cup final.
On this remarkable stat, he added: “It’s crazy, but nice.”
Murphy left Tranmere for West Bromwich Albion in 2002.
On his Baggies debut he saved a penalty from Michael Owen with his first touch, following Russell Hoult’s red card.
Stints with Sunderland and Walsall followed, before more long-term stays at Scunthorpe and Coventry.
He also played for Huddersfield, Chesterfield, Bury and Shrewsbury before re-signing for Tranmere.