Striker Daryl Murphy, who left the Blues for Newcastle over the weekend, has thanked fans for their support during his time at Portman Road. The 33-year-old striker, who signed a two-year deal at St James’ Park on Sunday after the clubs agreed at £3 million fee, is currently away with the Republic of Ireland squad ahead of their World Cup qualifier in Serbia on Monday.

“I would like to thank everyone at the club for making me feel so welcome from the very first day I arrived there,” the Waterford-born frontman told the club site.

“I especially want to thank the fans. They were fantastic to me and I’ve got so many great memories from my time at Ipswich. I didn’t get the chance to thank the supporters before I left so I’d like to take that opportunity now.

“I couldn’t have asked for more support from everyone in my time there. It was a wrench to leave, it’s a great club, Ipswich, but opportunities to join a club of a stature of Newcastle don’t come along very often, especially at this stage of my career.

“I want to wish everyone at Ipswich the best and I hope it’s Newcastle and Ipswich that go up this year.”

Murphy, whose first English club was the Magpies' great rivals Sunderland during Mick McCarthy’s time in charge at the Stadium of Light, initially joined the Blues for the first of three loan spells under Roy Keane's management in 2010 before signing permanently from Celtic in the summer of 2013.

In the 2014/15 campaign he topped the Championship scoring charts with 27 goals as the Blues reached the play-offs.

Overall, Murphy, who almost joined the Blues from his hometown club Waterford United in 2004/05 having been on trial before he signed for the Black Cats, scored 67 goals in 207 starts and 18 substitute appearances for Town.

Meanwhile, manager McCarthy says the huge amount of cash now available to Premier League clubs has had a knock-on effect at Championship level.

“Football has lost the plot with money," he said. "It’s the TV revenue going up. Players are now going for £10 million more than they were last year. The have not suddenly become £10 million better footballers.

“In the Premier League it’s now almost a ‘disgrace’ to sell a player for £10 million. It’s got to be £20 million.

“The agents are having a field day and the game has gone bonkers with some of the deals that have gone on.

“I think that has been reflected in the Championship now as well when you see some of the fees that have been paid.

“Villa have paid out big money for players, look at how many players have gone to Newcastle. I suppose that shows their great desire to get back to the Premier League where the riches are.”

Photo: TWTD

iaintaylorx added 16:03 - Sep 2 Been a great player for us over the years and will be missed. Good luck at the toon lad and see you when you're back!
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jert16 added 16:13 - Sep 2 Likewise Murph!! Best of luck!
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jas0999 added 16:17 - Sep 2 Fully understand the reasons for selling. Simply can't agree with not signing a replacement despite the so called 'attempts'. Reckless in my opinion. Nonetheless, all the best Daryl!
0

BotesdaleBlue added 16:27 - Sep 2 I believe Murph sits at number 10 in our all time goal scorers. That fact alone makes him a very special player, especially when you realise the nine ahead of him are all-time greats. Thank you for all your efforts, those 67 goals and everying else that went into your performances over the past six years. You will be missed and I'm sure you will receive a great reception from us Town fans upon your return. Good luck for Murph in what will be your last fews years as a player.

14

Goose21 added 16:32 - Sep 2 We have signed a replacement we signed two forwards in Best and Lawrence we also signed Williams that can play in the 10 role. Maybe we will be able to play the ball to feet rather than a pump up to murph approach. Not slating murph, great servant for the club and wish him all the best but I am looking forward to see if we can utilise these more creative young hungry players that we have brought in as well as bish and bru who like to put it on the deck and play football

20

Brownie added 16:46 - Sep 2 Interesting piece from Stuart Watson in EADT re same point as Goose21 - we all want more entertainment and maybe we will get it. Bit concerned re strikers and MM obviously wanted another whatever he says now. Maybe Best will be the answer and he gets my support but can't say I would put money on it. Murphy deal suited everyone so good luck to him & heres hoping the lads can play well,win & entertain!!

5

Ferguson added 16:49 - Sep 2 Thanks Murph, and best of luck. One of the good 'uns.
7

happybeingblue added 16:53 - Sep 2 will miss big DARYL MURPHY an excellent professional in my opinion and its going to be awkward watching him in a different shirt
7

Keaneish added 16:55 - Sep 2 I'm hoping we see the likes of Pitman dropping in deep to create space in behind for the likes of Sears, Ward, Grant, Williams, Bishop and Lawrence to do some damage. Maybe a blessing in disguise Murph leaving as much of a great servant as he's been. I've given up on McGoldrick making an impact any more or sustaining a regular place, sadly.
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MedwayTractor added 17:12 - Sep 2 Botesdale, Murph is No 12 in all major competitions, 10th for league goals only. I reckon he would be high up the list except for McCarthy's selection policy in the cups. Still makes him special, as you say.
4

runaround added 17:35 - Sep 2 All the best Murph
4

bedsitfc added 17:41 - Sep 2 Good luck Murphy you deserve a shot at premiership (Newcastle will be promoted) and I think we have a good chance of joining you come may!
3

BudapestByBlimp added 17:55 - Sep 2 Always gave his best for Town even when he was pushed onto the wing. Would be happy for him to score against us while Lawrence, Sears and Best are fighting over who gets the match ball having grabbed half-tracks.
2

BudapestByBlimp added 17:59 - Sep 2 Hat-tricks even.
0

blueherts added 17:59 - Sep 2 Spot on Keanish and Goose , Great servant , but if we can start playing a system where the footballing runners can bomb on we will def see a better , up tempo version in the final third Actually excited about it . If we are there abouts in Jan and add couple more - could be a good season Positive moves ....
7

therein61 added 18:30 - Sep 2 A big thank you for your whole hearted and honest displays in the blue shirt you will be missed, while this is a great move for you financially at this stage of your career(you deserve it!!) I hope you get to play as much as you would have here, so onwards and upwards Town lets have some exciting on the deck football cutting through defences with the pacey and skilful additions added scoring plenty of goals to protect the alarming re selection of a disjointed back four yet again!!! that makes me very nervous(what has Webster done wrong!?) oh well Mick and his favourites we just have to bear it reluctantly.

5

pennblue added 18:40 - Sep 2 Its simple isn't, you put in a good shift and the fans like you, if only other footballers could grasp this. Good luck on the move, but remember they have won nothing in Europe so it's really a step down.
4

Tufty added 18:42 - Sep 2 Looking forward to seeing him on the bench at Portman rd
-1

DurhamTownFan added 18:54 - Sep 2 Interesting to see that not many comments on what MM said above. Agree with the essence of what MM said, but that's just how it is these days. If you don't like it, get out. I really don't think we can just sit by and scrimp around with the freebies any more. Good news is that ME did apparently try to help with some investment (and did spend a little) so here's hoping the penny drops at some point.

1

NoCanariesAllowed added 18:55 - Sep 2 Now and then, when some of the retro chants have broken out among the Town fans - y'know, 'Wilnis is a Blue', 'Alan Lee - GOAL' and the like - I've wondered who if anyone would be the subject of similar nostalgia in future. I suspect in time to come, we might have the occasional burst of Hey Daryl Murphy now and then... Feels a bit like the end of an era to me. I think we'll still be talking about that 27-goal season for a while - not something that comes around often, especially not these days. Some amazing goals among them too. A special campaign he graced us with there, the likes of which I doubt we'll see again. Best of luck, Murph, and thanks for the memories - of which there were plenty.

11

ianmarshall10 added 19:15 - Sep 2 No point Moaning Mick get with the times that's how it is now... Good luck Murph will be watching out to see how you get on.
2

BlueandTruesince82 added 19:25 - Sep 2 Great servant to the club, wish him well.
4

Mark added 20:09 - Sep 2 Remember too Murphy was asked to play on the left wing some of the time here in his earlier days, what a waste that was! It seems that most physical target man type players are not expected to score many goals, yet Murphy both led the line superbly and regularly hit the net. If he were ten years younger playing like he has over recent seasons he could be one of those £20M players that McCarthy referred to. Who knows, maybe if Newcastle go up we could see Murphy in a town shirt again next season. I don't imagine him going into the Premier League at the age of 34.

1

Swn98 added 21:13 - Sep 2 2 year contract my family and I are settled in Suffolk good luck Murphy hope we beat Newcastle a short head to the automatic play offs. Until 2 year contracts mean 2 year contracts the football world is going to continue to spiral out of control.
1

Taricco_Fan added 21:15 - Sep 2 A top professional, quality player and nice guy. Will be missed. All the best.
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