Shrewsbury Town are delighted to confirm the signing of vastly experienced goalkeeper Joe Murphy on a one-year deal.
Joe was with Bury last season and played every game in their Sky Bet League Two promotion campaign.
The 37-year old keeper started his career with Tranmere Rovers before a move to the Premier League to join West Brom. His career has seen moves to Walsall, Sunderland, Scunthorpe United, Coventry City, Huddersfield Town and Chesterfield before joining Bury, amassing over 600 appearances in total.
Town manager Sam Ricketts has spoken about the need to bring in a couple of new keepers and Joe will add experience to that position.
Joe has been training with Town this week and signed his new deal on Wednesday to make him a Town player.
“I’m delighted to be here and delighted to get the move completed”, said Joe.
“It’s been a few weeks since I had a phone call from the Gaffer, but I’ve been in for the last couple of days now.
“I signed the papers Wednesday morning and now I’m absolutely buzzing to get going.”
The move has been on the cards for a while and finally got signed on Wednesday. It means Joe missed out on the first week of Town’s pre-season but joins in time for the trip to Portugal.
“I was chomping at the bit to get back in, time was creeping on and I knew the state of the club at Bury”, said Joe.
“We were all told we could leave so it was a time of hanging by the phone.
“We couldn’t get it sorted last week so I missed out on training then but I’ve enjoyed the last three days.
“I wanted to get in a few days before we go out to Portugal so the timing is good.
“That will be a good week to get away and get to know the lads.”
Joe has been with Bury for the last 18 months and last season played every game of their Sky Bet League Two campaign. He was named in the Sky Bet League Two team of the season and is proud of those achievements.
“It was a great season but everyone knows about the dilemma we went through with Bury”, said Joe.
“To get promoted was a miracle to be honest but I enjoyed my time there.
“It was tough last year going through what we went through, to go through such a high and then a couple of days later there’s not really a club there.”
Last term he worked with Town goalkeeping coach Brian Jensen at Bury. Joe knows that Brian is a coach who can get the very best out of him.
“I know big Beast (Brian) from Bury and it’s good to get in and get to know the lads here”, said Joe.
“I wanted to get something sorted as soon as and Beast stayed in touch and said there might be something here. I spoke to the Gaffer and I’m happy to get in and raring to go.
“I first worked with Beast at West Brom when we were players there.
“He came in at Bury last year and we worked well together, he understood what I needed and what I wanted.
“I played every league game last season and he managed me really well.
“He saw enough in me last year to recommend me to the Gaffer and I want to repay that faith.”
Joe has now made over 600 league and cup appearances in a career that started with Tranmere Rovers back in 1998. He has played the majority of those games in the Sky Bet Championship and League One.
“I’ve played the majority of my football at Championship and League One level”, said Joe.
“Last season was my first League Two campaign and I enjoyed it.
“For a goalkeeper at this level it’s about being consistent.
“I’ve played over 600 games now so I would like to think I can gel into any team.”
Joe turns 38 years old next month and some may raise an eyebrow at his age. Goalkeepers tend to play on longer and Joe believes he continues to improve each season.
“I know a lot of the fans here will be looking at my age but I’m here to play football”, said Joe.
“I know there will be another keeper coming through the door but I want to be playing in that first game of the season.
“Age is just a number and I feel as great as I have ever done.
“I feel sharp in training, played a lot of games last season and I think I was very consistent.
“I’ll be looking to do the same again this year and I know there will be a fight for the shirt.
“That’s something I’m willing to do and fight hard for.
“I feel I’ve got better as I have got older and hopefully I can show that.
“You don’t train during the week just to sit on the bench. I’ve come here to get my appearances up.”