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Archived News from July 2010

STAGS TARGET ADAM MURRAY JOINS LUTON FROM OXFORD
15th July 2010 16:03


Tue 06 Jul 2010
http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~2085781,00.html

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Earlier story:
CHAD newspaper (not online), 7 July 2010

Holdsworth has made an offer to Adam Murray to bring the midfielder back to Field Mill. "Adam Murray is a player I admire and would love to bring him through the door if I can."

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http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/FromtheDressingRoom/0,,10372~2086138,00.html

MURRAY AIMING HIGH
lutontown.co.uk, Wed 07 Jul 2010
Like all members of the Hatters' squad that jets off to Portugal today, Adam Murray isn't relishing running around in 30 degree heat.

However the Town's newest recruit - their fifth of the summer - couldn't be more excited to have completed his switch to Kenilworth Road after negotiating his release from Oxford United.

With two years left on his deal at the Kassam Stadium it came as a pleasant surprise to Richard Money that the 28-year-old was available.

But Murray - after being a part of the U's side that won promotion from the Blue Square Premier last season - is happy to draw a line under his career at the Kassam and is hopeful of adding a fifth promotion to his CV with the Hatters and help "get the club back where they belong".

"I was definitely surprised the way the situation at Oxford came about," the midfielder told lutontown.co.uk. "The manager was bringing in new players and there were some personal issues too, but once the decision was made it didn't take much persuasion from the people at Luton to sign here.

"The club speaks for itself and everyone knows that a club of Luton's stature should be playing at a higher level, but we are where we are and we've got to get on with it.

"That puts added pressure on the players and management but, like it was at Oxford, that's the kind of pressure we want because we're always striving to produce consistent performance and results."

His achievements in his career so far, especially at Conference level - a play-off winning campaign was also enjoyed whilst at Carlisle - suggests that the Town have pulled off another summer transfer coup, and with it, at 28, a player in his prime.

"I've been in the game for a while now," says Murray. "I've got experience of these situations and I've had four promotions. Now I'm looking for my fifth.

"Obviously I was looking for League football and that's my aim: with Luton. I've not come here simply because Luton are a big club, I've come here because I want to play with a club with real ambition and that is something which is matched here.

"I had a few options to sign for other clubs but I believe this is a club that can go further and I'm excited by the challenge."

Murray joins Dan Gleeson, Danny Crow, Kevin Pilkington and Andy Drury as the new faces in a Town dressing room that hope to embark on a successful 2010/11 campaign.

And with the nucleus of the squad that suffered play-off agony last season still intact, the newest member of the squad believes the momentum built-up from the scintillating second-half of the season can ensure that the team can hit the ground running when it all starts again on 14th August.

"Once you've got that winning attitude and you're not used to losing then it certainly makes things a lot easier," he says.

"The play-offs are a lottery but the way Luton finished the season - they were on a marvellous winning run and were doing more than just beating teams 1-0 - suggested that whatever it was they were doing, they were doing it right.

"That's the kind of momentum a team a needs, and that's something we've got to look at continuing from the first kick this season and hit the ground running when we play Altrincham.

"There might be a lot of running in store in Portugal - and when we return - but I'm getting my head down and, believe me, I'm already looking forward to it.

"Pre-season is all about preparation, and yes it's hard, but I can't wait. I had an injury lay-off towards the end of last season but I've been ready and raring to go for the last month."

So, for those Town fans that are unaware of the Birmingham-born midfielder, what kind of player will they expect to see donning the orange shirt next season?

Put simply he says: "Well, I like to get on the ball and influence the play.

"I keep things moving and like to create things."

He can also take a decent corner too. He scored direct from one for Oxford against Eastbourne the season before last.

That brings back memories of a game last season in which one of his new team-mates curled home a 97th-minute winning corner against the U's with Murray watching aghast in the stands.

"I couldn't believe it, we all couldn't believe it," admits the midfielder.

And neither could we.

Forget competition for places in the Town team, now there's competition for taking corners...

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Adam Murray's side of the story:

Murray's pain at leaving Oxford United
Oxford Mail, Thursday 8th July 2010

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/oxfordunited/8260295.Murray_s_pain_at_leaving_Oxford_United/

Adam Murray never wanted to leave Oxford United.

But the former U's captain, who has joined Luton Town on a two-year deal, respects the club's decision to stand by their policies.

United announced this week that Murray, who was the club captain, had left the club by mutual consent after failing to commit to settling in the area.

However, Murray was keen to point out that although he had been living locally, and would continue to do so, it was his family that could not settle in the area.

“My wife and two children moved to the area last pre-season,” Murray said. “We moved schools, but my kids found it so difficult without their mates that they were crying most nights.

“My wife had no friends or family down here, and then we had another child and with me away for so long, she had no support.

“I could not keep them in that situation and so they moved back to Derby.

“It says in my contract that players have to be within a certain distance of Oxford, and although I explained the situation, they felt it would not work with me being here and my family in Derby.”

United chairman Kelvin Thomas said of Murray's departure: “It is with a heavy heart that we have had to come to this decision.

“We feel that our decision to have players live close has been justified.

“Adam has made a decision to put family first, which as a family-orientated club we fully understand.”

Murray admits, however, that the news did come as a shock.

“When I signed a new contract last year I said that I'd love to finish my career at Oxford and would like to go into coaching here afterwards if possible,” he said. “But the club has a policy and I respect that.”

Murray underwent surgery on a back problem last season that forced him to miss the second half of United's campaign and an apperance at Wembley.

Although he was delighted to climb the Wembley steps and lift the Blue Square Premier play-off trophy with stand-in skipper – and new club captain – James Constable, Murray said the day was difficult.

“I was so thrilled to see the club get promoted, but it was difficult not being able to play any part,” he said.

“I'm sure the lads will tell you that I did my bit by geeing them up in the dressing room, but it's not the same as being out there on the pitch.

“I have always had a great relationship with the fans at Oxford and have had hundreds and hundreds of messages from them that I really appreciate.”

Murray flew out with the Luton squad on their pre-season trip to Portugal yesterday.

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