Peter Murphy retires following release from Morecambe
Thursday 18 May 2017 14:17, UK
Injury-hit Morecambe captain Peter Murphy has announced that he has been forced to retire at the age of 27.
The former Accrington and Wycombe midfielder joined the Shrimps in the summer of 2015 and spent most of the following season sidelined due to two major knee injuries.
Murphy was then involved for much of the 2016-17 campaign, before coming off in Morecambe's penultimate game, against Wycombe, with a knee problem that it has now emerged is career-ending.
Morecambe on Thursday announced he and defender Liam Wakefield had been released.
And soon after that, a statement from Murphy appeared on his Twitter feed, which said: "Unfortunately my time at Morecambe was blighted by injury and I wasn't able to contribute the way I would have liked as club captain.
"Last week, on the eve of my most recent operation to repair a new injury sustained in the game v Wycombe, I was informed over the phone that I was to be released.
"Subsequent to that phone call, I was informed by the surgeon the very next day that the injury I sustained is career-ending, forcing me to retire from playing football.
"Given Morecambe have posted their 'released list' and named me in the lead I felt it only appropriate to make my statement, albeit sooner than I would have liked.
"I feel fortunate to have played the game I love for a living for the time that I have.
"Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way."
Morecambe boss Jim Bentley said on the club's official website: "I would like to place on record my thanks to Peter Murphy and Liam Wakefield for their efforts.
"Peter has unfortunately suffered from two major injuries while with us but through all that time he was great to work with and an excellent club captain and he leaves with all our thanks and best wishes.
"Liam was an excellent professional who was great to work with and we wish him well."
Contract offers have been made to Michael Rose, Kevin Ellison, Barry Roche, Aaron Wildig, Alex Kenyon, Paul Mullin and Ryan Edwards, while talks are still ongoing with Andy Fleming and Lee Molyneux.
