Frustrated Murphy looking for a club

Former Republic of Ireland international central defender Peter Murphy is having to get used to life as a footballer on the dole — and he doesn’t like it one bit.

Murphy, 32, made his debut and sole appearance for Ireland in 2007 when he started a friendly against Bolivia during the ill-fated Steve Staunton era.

The Dubliner was released by Carlisle United at the end of last season following 12 years at Brunton Park.

A planned moved to Kilmarnock collapsed and now Murphy is wondering where his next pay cheque is going to come from.

He said: “It’s very, very frustrating. I haven’t been in this position before and it’s not nice when everything’s up in the air.

“It affects family and friends. Last week it was my brother’s little daughter’s christening. I couldn’t go to that because I’m waiting for a phone call and also there is the cost of going over, taking Lisa [wife] and Oscar [son].

“You go home [to Ireland], have a few drinks, eat out, and it all adds up when you’re not getting paid. Other things you get invited to, you can’t say yes because you don’t know where you’re going to be. Also, Lisa closed down her business because we thought we were moving to Kilmarnock.

“So now it’s case of being at home, and nothing happening.”

The collapse of the move to Kilmarnock did leave something of a bitter taste for Murphy. “When I was at Kilmarnock, they told me on the Friday before the season started that they couldn’t afford to give me the contract I’d agreed with the chairman, earlier in the summer.

“That was a big letdown, because the new manager [Allan Johnston] knew his budget from day one.”

Murphy has employed an agent to try and help him find a new club and he said: “This is the time you put your trust in an agent. I haven’t had an agent before now. There’s a couple of bits and pieces and he’s getting more calls now. People are ringing my agent asking about me, rather than him drumming up interest himself, which is a good thing. I’m an out-of-contract player and I’m still available. It’s just a case of what do you do until that time? I’ve got a family to support.”