William Murphy - On the way out?

William Murphy fined and put on Linfield transfer list

Linfield defender William Murphy has been fined and put on the transfer list for what the club described as a breach of discipline at the weekend.

In a statement on Wednesday, Linfield said Murphy's suspension from the club had been lifted and he would resume training on Thursday.

Details of the breach were not revealed and the club said the case was closed.

Long-serving Murphy said he accepted the disciplinary action and regretted his "unacceptable behaviour."

"I wish to apologise unreservedly and most sincerely to the manager, players, staff, board and supporters," said Murphy on the club's website.

"At present my only aim is to attempt to repay the loyalty, support, kindness and goodwill that has been given to me since I arrived at Linfield from Ards in September 1997.

"I was totally in the wrong and I fully regret my actions."

It is believed that the club are considering placing the 36-year-old on the transfer list.

"William has been a great servant of the club but unfortunately there was a breach of discipline," said Jeffrey.

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Bel Tel

Disappointing, but 3 points to be made:

- He should have been shown the door at the end of last season. His recent performances have been shocking, by all accounts. He's well past his best
- A certain other player was with him on NYE, but called in sick next day. Time to show the door to him as well.
- A certain manager missed a flight to an away fixture on one occasion due to excess alcohol consumption. Did he fine himself or resign? No chance.

Linfield 3 Crusaders 1

Matchday 22, Tuesday 4th January 2011, Windsor Park

Scorers: McAllister, Thompson 2
Attendance: 1533

Match highlights (UTV)

Notes:
- Blues and Crues fans were segregated in the Kop, which apparently made for a much better atmosphere and demands for more of the same.
- Glens lose 3-1 at Coleraine, putting us back 5 clear

Table:

1 Linfield 22 46
2 Glentoran 22 41
3 Cliftonville 22 39

JP Gallagher leaves Linfield for Dungannon Swifts

JP Gallagher leaves Linfield for Dungannon Swifts

Defender JP Gallagher has rejoined former club Dungannon Swifts after parting company with Linfield.

Then 28-year-old joined the Blues two years ago but has left the club after being informed that he required further surgery on a troublesome knee problem.

Gallagher will be available to play in Tuesday night's basement battle against Donegal Celtic but Craig McClean and Ryan Mullan remain suspended.

Timmy Adamson, Ryan McIlmoyle and Adam McMinn are all ruled out with injuries.

Linfield boss David Jeffrey said the decision to release Gallagher had been made after "long and painstaking consultations and advice from the medical professionals".

"Given the nature of the injury JP sustained, it is just not possible for him to continue to meet the demands of playing, sometimes twice a week and training usually three times a week for Linfield.

"We have tried giving him periods of rest and just using him for matches only, but it has just proven too demanding for him."

Gallagher explained how he came to the difficult decision to leave Windsor Park.

"Nobody at Linfield came to me and put me under any pressure to leave.

"I spoke to Terry Hayes (Linfield physio) and I had the option of undergoing more surgery - the surgeon wasn't 100% sure it would help but he would have been willing to give it a go if I had wanted.

"I just wouldn't feel right if Linfield were paying for an operation on the off chance that it might be successful and I might be able to train properly and play again.

"Not only would the club be paying wages but they would have been out the expense of an operation - with no guarantee of any return on that outlay.

"I therefore made the approach to Linfield and basically said that I didn't feel I was worth the wages or the expense of another uncertain operation.

"At Linfield it is essential to train on a Thursday night to prove fitness for Saturday games but I was basically never going to be able to train on a Thursday and then be able to play on a Saturday.

"The club has given me all the time, help and support that they possibly could have done," said Gallagher.

Best of luck. Have to say, a waste of money.

Donegal Celtic 2 Linfield 0

IPL Matchday 21, Celtic Park, 31/12/10

Attendance: 647


Match highlights (BBC)

An absolute disgrace. They ARE a pub team. A disgrace to the shirt. Jeffrey was correct to order early 1st January training. Time Linfield grew a set of balls and showed they want to win this league, instead of getting outfought by inferior teams who battle harder than us, see Crues away, Glens reserves CAS final, Reds away, and now this abomination.

Table: (It's as you were, as Glentoran lost to Portadown at home 1-0 on New Year's Day, again failing to capitalise on Linfield's defeat. What a poor league.)

1 Linfield 21 43
2 Glentoran 21 41

Windsor Winter Wonderland

Windsor as you've rarely seen it. Great photos, taken by Thompo.

Cliftonville 3 Linfield 1

IPL Matchday 20, Friday 10th December 2010, Solitude

Scorer: A. Burns
Attendance: 1466 (463 Bluemen)

Match highlights (UTV)

Another big game away from home, another case of Linfield bottling it. Not good enough, time for our players to grow a set. Big three games coming up.

Glens scrape a 1-0 at DC to cut the lead to 2 points.

Table:

1 Linfield 20 43
2 Glentoran 20 41

Linfield 1 Glentoran 3

County Antrim Shield Final, Tuesday 30th November, Windsor Park

Scorer: BJ Burns
Attendance:

And once again we let the Glens off the hook when they're down. Our 3rd successive final loss in this competition. Not good enough.

Match highlights (BBC)