Malcolm Murray

PLAYER/ADMINISTRATOR 1955-1987
WEMBLEY AMATEUR FOOTBALL CLUB

For 30 years Malcolm Murray devoted his life to the Wembley Amateur Football Club, first as a player, then a coach and finally as an administrator. He epitomises the character, strength and commitment of Wembley, a great club in the annals of amateur football in Western Australia.

In 84 years, Wembley have produced champion footballers such as: Brian and Peter Featherby, Bill Faul, John Bowe, George Young, Neil Balme and Todd Breman to name a few, but none of them could claim a bigger love of the Australian game or the Wembley Amateur Football Club than Malcolm Murray.

Murray began his long association with Wembley in the Metropolitan Junior Football Association in 1955 and went on to play 252 games wearing the black and white.

He was chosen in four State teams in 1962, 64, 65 and 67 and was selected in the all-Australian team at the conclusion of the 1962 championships. At Wembley, Murray captained the team from 1963 to 1966 and won the club fairest and best award twice, in 1965 and in 1969.

Murray coached the senior team in 1972, 74 and 75, with great success, winning the A Grade premierships in 1972 and 1974. He was coach of the State side in 1974 and 75 and became a State Selector in 1983, and 1985. Underscoring Murray’s love of the game was his decision to coach Wembley Colts in 1978, 79 and 80.

For his efforts on the field and his long association with the club, Malcolm Murray was made a Life Member in 1972, a great honour in a club so steeped in history. But it wasn’t to end there.

While still playing, Murray served on the club committee and was vice-president from 1973 to 1984, bringing to the committee table all his vast on field experience. Malcolm Murray again answered the call for three years in 1985, 86 and 87 when he served as president.

He helped to re-establish Wembley as a powerhouse in amateur football and was rewarded for his work by being named as Best Clubman.

This legend of the Wembley club built respect from his club mates and the opposition and tonight the WA Amateur Football League endorses his life-long contribution to our great Australian game by naming him a Member of the Hall of Champions, amateur football’s highest honour.

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