Canterbury City has the potential to be one of the biggest clubs in Kent, says Murray

NEWLY appointed manager Paul Murray says Canterbury City has the potential to be one of the biggest clubs in Kent, writes Stephen McCartney.

Murray has taken over the reigns after Dave Fairclough quit the club before taking over the reserve side at Ryman League Division One South Whitstable Town.

Canterbury City finished in fifth place in the Vandanel Kent County League premier division last season, fourteen points adrift of champions Stansfeld Oxford & Bermondsey club.

"I have carefully watched the progression of Canterbury City over the past three years," Murray told www.canterburycityfc.com.

"When the position of first team manager became available it was most definitely an opportunity not to be missed.

"Canterbury City has the potential to be one of the biggest clubs in Kent.

"After speaking to the chairman and vice-chairman it is very clear that they are determined to move the club in the right direction and I am very honoured to be asked to play a major part in this.

"Obviously I will be bringing my own way of thinking to the football club on the field. The current squad are of a high standard and over the next week I will be meeting the players and looking forward to working with them through pre-season."

Murray’s football career started at Charlton Athletic, where he progressed from schoolboy to gain a two-year professional contract after completing his apprenticeship.

Murray recalled: "During this time at Charlton I was a big part of the youth team that lost in the final of the F.A. Youth Cup to Coventry City. I played regularly in the reserves and made a handful of appearances in the first team.

"I was also captain of the Northern Ireland youth team during the European Youth Championships. This led to playing for Northern Ireland U21 and also being selected for the Full Northern Ireland squad to go to Malta in a World Cup qualifier under the management of Billy Bingham.

"In 1987, Spurs offered Charlton £75,000 for me which was rejected. Spurs were managed by Terry Venables at the time.

"I left Charlton after a conflict of interest with the manager Lennie Lawrence. I got offered a contract at Maidstone United, at the time they were in the Football League Division 4 but opted for a lucrative move to Hong Kong where I enjoyed three good years.

"On returning to England to start a family I spent the remainder of my playing career at the higher end of non-League playing at clubs such as: Dover Athletic, Dartford, Gravesend & Northfleet, Margate, Ramsgate and finishing at Deal Town.

"Over the past four years I have worked through my coaching badges and currently I am UEFA 'B' licensed and working towards my 'A' license in the summer 2011. This qualification has earned me a full time position at Castle Community Sports College as head coach to the successful football academy."

Article courtesy of www.canterburycityfc.com