PA Man Murphy Steps Down Friday, 26th Jul 2024 12:28 Portman Road PA announcer Mark Murphy has stepped down from his role ahead of the new season.
Former BBC Radio Suffolk breakfast presenter Murphy (pictured above with Blues all-time top scorer Ray Crawford) took on the position last summer, succeeding Stephen Foster, who had had the mic for the previous three campaigns.
“All good things come to an end,” Murphy wrote on social media. “It’s time to hand the Portman Road microphone over to someone new.
“After 40 years of broadcasting, my voice isn’t as strong as it was and so for health reasons I’m stepping down.
“It’s been great fun seeing Town get back in the top flight. You need someone who can really belt out ‘BLUE ARMY’! Good luck to my successor and good luck to Towen.”
It seems likely Dave Vant, who has been on the PA in the FanZone for the last couple of seasons, will take on the role.
Season ticket holder Murphy will continue to present the Life’s a Pitch TV podcast with Blues legends Terry Butcher and Russell Osman but with TWTD’s Phil Ham leaving his role.
Photo: TWTD
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ernie added 12:44 - Jul 26
Thank god for that. Would have been embarrassing listening to that in the Premier league. |  | |
Secondhalf added 12:51 - Jul 26
Ray Crawford's looking very good. He must be mid 80s ? The Crawford/Phillips machine was surely the best (even if it was Third Division South!). |  | |
exeterblue10 added 12:53 - Jul 26
If he didn’t already have an MBE I think he’d deserve one for the way he very politely asked the crowd, about twenty times, to leave the pitch after Huddersfield. A top fella and Ipswich through and through, I wish Mark Murphy all the very best and thank him for being so entertaining on the mic. And the sub for Leeds is… |  | |
GrimReaper66 added 12:56 - Jul 26
Thank you Mark for your announcements. We would like to say 'gwood loibd in vourt hritembenty' |  | |
trncbluearmy added 12:56 - Jul 26
ITFC and Suffolk through and through, good lad, but he knows it was time to knock it on the head, like Rob before him can now watch the game and relax, if indeed that's going to be possible next season COYB |  | |
Pessimistic added 13:02 - Jul 26
Nice man. Sad to see him go. |  | |
jonwillpott added 13:11 - Jul 26
Thank you Mark for a great tenure and for the future....so good to have someone who I could actually hear in such clarity. See you at Life's A Pitch.....Sad to see you are not joining us at LAP though Phil....will really miss that Noddy hat!!! lol |  | |
baxterbasics added 13:31 - Jul 26
Good on him. Personally though, whoever takes the mic, I prefer them not to attempt to lead a blue army chant, it's a bit cringe. Just my opinion though. |  | |
FrankMarshall added 13:46 - Jul 26
Ipswich through and through. Good luck to him in the future. |  | |
runaround added 13:49 - Jul 26
His inability to chant Blue Army correctly amused me as did some of his pronunciation but he gave a very difficult job his best. Unfortunately no one will ever be able to be as good as Rob Chandler was at the job as he was the perfect fit |  | |
bringmeaKuqi added 14:16 - Jul 26
The number of time MA said the eyes of the "world's media will be at Portman Road", I feel this is part and parcel of becoming a more outward-looking and professional operation. Cheers for the last couple of years Mark, a legend of Town broadcasting. |  | |
Blue_Heath added 14:23 - Jul 26
Dave Vance, pity Tommy Vance isn't still alive, he'd get the place rocking. |  | |
Caz460 added 14:41 - Jul 26
There is more to this than meets the eye, no way would he have given up that role especially in our first season back in the top flight! |  | |
essexccc added 14:55 - Jul 26
Great ITFC man - good luck for the future. Ray Crawford is 88. |  | |
Andy32Cracknell added 15:07 - Jul 26
@ernie - you should be ashamed of yourself writing a comment like that. Probably a scummer on one of our forums again |  | |
Jeff added 15:11 - Jul 26
That's another new signing we need! - Goalkeeper, Central Defender, Midfield Player, Left Winger and Stadium Announcer! |  | |
Beattiesballbag added 15:39 - Jul 26
Secondhalf. What about the First division tital win in 62,........are you from north of the border? |  | |
Marcus added 16:22 - Jul 26
Could we have him do one final pre-season with the announcements in Welsh? |  | |
Flight_of_Shefki added 16:23 - Jul 26
A shame, but all things come to an end - and change is natural. I quite like Dave, but it's all a bit "Go USA!" sort of thing with him - but the new owners might like a bit of that, who knows. But one thing I do know, is that the PA job is massively important to boil up the atmosphere before and during the game. Yes - big Dave can do this, but I'd like to see alternatives explored. |  | |
JimInGreensboro added 17:11 - Jul 26
I've been a public address announcer for 30 years over here in the States, working with everyone from the New York Yankees organization to local high schools. The range of deliveries varies by the sport and venue, but all encourage moments that genuinely tax the human instrument. It does take a toll, especially as one ages. I wish this gentleman well. |  | |
IndianaBlue added 17:29 - Jul 26
I think that we all missing the major news in this article. :-} Phil stepping down from his role on Life's a Pitch TV. Will be big shoes to fill. Any word on the replacement? |  | |
warwickblue added 17:32 - Jul 26
I think Mark did superbly well, following the pitch invasion at the end of the season. It could have been a difficult, or at least a disappointing, response had he been asked to be more forceful in requests for fans to clear the pitch. In fact, I think praise is due to Mark, the stewards and stadium supervisors and the police for the way things were handled post-match. It ensured a wild, spontaneous but completely safe and good-natured celebration. Other clubs could well look and learn.... Congratulations in your retirement Mark. |  | |
slobfeatures added 18:40 - Jul 26
Secondhalf During the 1960-61 Division Two promotion season, these two strikers combined to score 70 of the 100 goals that the team scored that year. Phillips scored 30 goals with Crawford netting 40. Phillips netted 28 times and Crawford 33 as Ipswich achieved the amazing feet of winning the English Division One the following year. If you are a quality striker you can score in any division! |  | |
pazzy added 20:13 - Jul 26
miss you mark number one man and a lucky omen good luck mate |  | |
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