Stewart Murdoch

Stewart Murdoch
Personal information
Date of birth9 May 1990
Place of birthAberdeen, Scotland
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Playing positionMidfielder
Club information
Current team
Fleetwood Town
Number4
Youth career
?–2007Falkirk
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2007–2013Falkirk71(6)
2008→ Berwick Rangers (loan)4(0)
2010→ East Fife (loan)24(1)
2013–Fleetwood Town48(0)
2014→ Northampton Town (loan)8(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1700, 28 March 2015 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Stewart Murdoch (born 9 May 1990 in Scotland) is professional footballer playing as a midfielder for Fleetwood Town. Murdoch came through the youth academy at Falkirk, and over a six-year period played 91 games in all competitions for The Bairns, in which the majority of these came in the Scottish First Division. He also spent time on loan in the Scottish Second Division playing for Berwick Rangers in season 2007–08 and for East Fife in seasons 2009–10 and 2010–11. He also spent time on loan in the English League 2 playing for Northampton Town in season 2014-15.

Career

Falkirk

Murdoch came through the youth academy at Falkirk and remained there until 2007, where he signed his first professional contract and was even included in the club's first team 2007–08 team photo.[1] Ahead of the 2009–10 season, Murdoch signed a one-year contract with the club.[2] Murdoch made his Falkirk, first team debut on 8 November 2009 in a 3–3 home draw against Celtic, coming on as an 87th minute substitute for Ryan Flynn. Murdoch made two further substitute appearances before going out on loan.

Loan spells

Murdoch made his Berwick Rangers first team debut in a 4–0 loss to Ayr United on 2 January 2008 after joining on a month-long loan from Falkirk.[3] He made 4 appearances scoring no goals during this loan period.

Murdoch made his East Fife first team debut in a 1–1 draw away at Stenhousemuir on 27 February 2010 after joining on loan from Falkirk until the end of the 2009–10 season.[4] He scored his only goal in 14 appearances this season in a 3–1 victory over Arbroath on 16 March 2010. Then, Murdoch was then sent out on loan to East Fife at the start of the 2010–11 season and played 10 games scoring no goals.

Return to Falkirk

Murdoch returned to Falkirk and made his first start for them in a 1–0 away defeat against Partick Thistle in a 2010–11 Scottish Cup fourth round replay on 18 January 2011.[5] He scored his first goal for the club in the home 2–0 victory against Cowdenbeath on 26 February 2011.

In 2011–12 season, Murdoch was shown the first red card of his career in a 1–1 draw away at Livingston on 10 September 2011 and after the match, the club decided not to appeal his sending off.[6] Murdoch scored the winning penalty in a 5–4 shootout victory after a 2–2 draw in the quarter finals of the 2011-12 Scottish League Cup away at Dundee United on 25 October 2011.[7] Murdoch was then part of the Falkirk squad that won the 2011–12 Scottish Challenge Cup. Murdoch played in a number of the earlier rounds, however, had to sit out the 1–0 final victory over Hamilton on 1 April 2012 due to injury.[8] Due to his injury, Manager Steven Pressley said Murdoch's injury is "disappointing" with his season over and said that he has been a terrific influence on the squad.[9] During the season, Pressley praised Murdoch for his good displays and nicknamed him "Lazarus".[10]

In 2012–13 season, Murdoch was then chosen to be the Falkirk penalty taker scoring penalties in the 2–1 defeat to Livingston on 2 September 2012, in the 1–1 draw with Airdrie United on 22 September 2012 and in the 2–0 victory over Cowdenbeath on 15 December 2012. Murdoch then scored his first goal in open play in nearly 2 years when he scored in the 4–3 victory over Airdrie United on 26 January 2013 and followed that up on 2 February 2013 in the fifth round of the 2012-13 Scottish Cup with a goal in the 4–1 victory over Forfar Athletic. Murdoch then scored a 90th minute header to secure Falkirk a 1–1 league draw against Raith Rovers on 5 March 2013. At the end of the 2012/13 season, Murdoch was offered a new deal by Falkirk[11] and he was then awarded the Falkirk Herald Starshot prize.[12] But on 14 June 2013, Murdoch, instead, turned down the chance to stay in Scotland, moving instead to English outfit Fleetwood Town.[13]

Fleetwood Town

On 14 June 2013, Fleetwood Town confirmed the signing of Murdoch on a two-year deal.[14] Ahead of his debut, Murdoch says he's aiming for to win the first team place.[15] In the opening game of the season, on 3 August 2013, against Dagenham & Redbridge, Murdoch made his debut, coming on as a 70th minute substitute for Steven Schumacher, in a 3–1 victory.[16] Murdoch was promoted to Football League 1 with Fleetwood Town in his first season with the club, after they won the Football League 2 play offs, defeating Burton Albion 1–0 in the final at Wembley Stadium on 26 May 2014. Murdoch came on as an 86th minute substitute for Iain Hume in the final.

Northampton Town (Loan)

Murdoch joined Northampton Town on loan on 30 October 2014. He made his debut on 1 November 2014 in a 2-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon. Murdoch scored his first goal in English football and his only goal in 8 appearances for Northampton Town in a 3-2 defeat against Plymouth Argyle on 13 December 2014.

Honours

Falkirk

Fleetwood Town

References

  1. ↑ "Falkirk FC 2007–08 team photo". Falkirk Herald. 2 August 2007. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  2. ↑ "Falkirk hand new deals to promising trio". Daily Record. 29 June 2009. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  3. ↑ "Division 2 Preview". Daily Record. 2 January 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  4. ↑ "East Fife loan for Murdoch". STV Sport. 28 February 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  5. ↑ "Murdoch makes a start in Bairns first team". Falkirk Herald. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  6. ↑ "UNAPPEALING". Falkirk Herlad. 15 September 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  7. ↑ "Dundee Utd 2–2 Falkirk". BBC Sport (BBC). 25 October 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  8. ↑ "Season is over for Falkirk midfielder Murdoch". Falkirk Herald. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  9. ↑ "Pressley hails his 'soldier' Stewart Murdoch". Falkirk Herald. 23 March 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  10. ↑ "Boss hails ‘Lazarus’ Murdoch". Falkirk Herald. 23 December 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  11. ↑ "Bairns release five of first-team pool". Falkirk Herald. 7 May 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  12. ↑ "Positive signs that Michael McGovern will remain at Falkirk". Falkirk Herald. 7 June 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  13. ↑ "Midfielder Murdoch swaps Falkirk for Fleetwood". Falkirk Herald. 14 June 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  14. ↑ "Stewart Murdoch: Fleetwood Town sign Falkirk midfielder". BBC Sport. 14 June 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  15. ↑ "Murdoch’s first team bid". Blackpool Gazette. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  16. ↑ "Fleetwood 3–1 Dag and Red". BBC Sport. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.

External links