Birkenhead Park RFC

A message from Mike's widow Margot:

I would like to thank all who could come to Mikes Wake. He would have been overwhelmed (lol hard to believe I know.)

How much love and Friendship in the room for him, me and our family, the stories told or not ?

People kept telling me how much he had influenced them,

Today I have donated £320 to the Brain tumour charity collected that day.

A letter will be at Birkenhead park for people to see when it arrives..

Big love and hugs to all from the Holland /Murphy family x

BPFC are sad to announce the passing of Mike Murphy (Murph), a well known member of the club for many years.

Obituary

Murph joined BPFC in 1993 following a short meander up the hill from Olde Instonians with a season or two at Old Parkonians on the way.

He joined Bob Lloyds 4th team and quickly realised that the social side of a rugby club is one of the nicest places you can be. He knew that the only way to progress through the teams was by training. He would say to anyone that would listen that he had an allergy to training and was happy to stay in the comforting sides of the 4ths & 5ths as they had the best singers. On the pitch Murph was a sturdy front or second row forward with deceptive speed (he was slower than he looked) and he always wished he’d taken up the game at a much earlier age.

Murph was always first to offer to entertain club members by either daft antics (usually singing) or a well-known song that he may or may not know the words to. He had legendary status being the resident DJ at Pinkies in Birkenhead on a Saturday night, all those who had played a game and wandered in slightly the worse for wear all got a mention and a song played for them, it may have been the song Murph liked rather than any request but the thought was there.  

He once said he his 3 proudest moments of being at BPFC was scoring a try (probably his only one) making a dive pass and receiving his club colours for his services to the club in turning up each week, carrying out odd jobs such as assisting the groundsman in upkeep of the grounds, especially with weed killing or litter picking etc.  His last role was Officer Of The Day for first team home games; he continued these duties up to just before he became ill. 

Murph was truly one of life’s larger than life characters, once met – never forgotten and you were blessed (normally with him dressed as a vicar) if you had the chance to meet or get to know him. He will be sorely missed by everyone at BPFC and the wider rugby community.

The club wish to express their sincere condolences to his wife Margot and the family at this sad time.

The funeral will be a family only affair

A celebration of Murph's life will take place in the bar at the club on Saturday 11th June at 2pm onwards, all are welcome