time that Birmingham had participated in major European competition for nearly 50 years. He scored Birmingham's first goal as they beat Club Brugge 2–1 away in the Europa League group stage. He became a first-team regular after Ridgewell was injured in November 2011, retained his place, and scored seven goals over the season, including three goals towards the end of the campaign that helped the club reach a play-off position. Birmingham took up their option to extend Murphy's contract for a further two years, until June 2014. Murphy suffered knee cartilage damage in November 2012 which was expected to keep him out of football for the rest of the season. After ten months out, he returned to first-team action in the starting eleven for the 4–1 win at home to Sheffield Wednesday in September 2013, and scored twice as Birmingham beat Millwall 4–0 a few days later. He played six times up to the end of October, but an adverse reaction in his knee requiring further treatment was expected to keep him out until the end of the year, and further injuries followed. In March 2014, two days after his 30th birthday, Murphy announced his retirement from playing: International career While a youngster with Middlesbrough, Murphy made several appearances for the England under-16 team. He was part of the squad that reached the semifinals of the 2001 European under-16 championships. Alex McLeish, who signed Murphy for Birmingham, said that while he was Scotland manager he had investigated whether Murphy was eligible to play for Scotland. It transpired that Murphy had no Scottish ancestors and was therefore ineligible. Murphy himself looked into whether he could play for the Republic of Ireland, but it transpired that he was also ineligible for that country. Murphy's closest Irish relation, a great-grandparent, was one generation too far back to confer qualification. Career statistics Honours Hibernian Scottish League Cup winner: 2006–07 Birmingham City Football League Cup winner: 2010–11 References External links Living people 1984 births Footballers from Hartlepool English footballers Association football fullbacks England youth international footballers Middlesbrough F.C. players Barnsley F.C. players Hibernian F.C. players Birmingham City F.C. players Premier League players English Football League players Scottish Premier League players British people of Irish descent