PAUL Murray could be the ‘marquee’ signing that illuminates the close season for Workington Reds.

Romar Workwear Ltd, who are again Workington’s main sponsors, are known to be keen on a big name signing and could have a part to play in any such recruitment.

Murray, released by Shrewsbury Town, is a former Carlisle team-mate of Reds boss Darren Edmondson and the two have been in talks for some time.

Crucially, despite interest from several League clubs, Murray has not ruled-out a switch to the Blue Square North Bet League with the Reds.

Murray, who will be 34 a fortnight into the new season, started his career at Carlisle United, making his Football League debut for them on 27 December 1993, coming on as a substitute against Darlington.

In May 1996 he joined QPR on loan, making his debut at Nottingham Forest. After the Hoops' relegation that season, he joined the team permanently for a transfer fee of £300,000.

Whilst at Q.P.R. he was called up four times for the England U21 squad, and in February 1998 he made his solitary appearance for England B as a substitute against Chile. He enjoyed a successful time at Loftus Road, playing 140 league games before he joined Premiership side Southampton in 2001, though he played only one game for the south coast side.

In December 2001 Murray joined Oldham Athletic, where he spent three and a half years and played 95 games, before he joined Portuguese club Beira-Mar.

After 17 games for Beira-Mar he moved again, this time re-joining Carlisle United in the close-season of 2006 after their promotion to League One, and scored against Doncaster Rovers in the opening game of the 2006-07 season. This was the first match for new manager Neil McDonald. He was released by the club in May 2007 and in his two spells at Brunton Park played 55 senior games.

Murray joined newly-promoted Scottish Premier League outfit Gretna in June 2007 on a one-year contract and played in 32 games.

With his contract expired at Gretna, Murray turned down a number of clubs to move south of the border and join League Two side Shrewsbury Town in May 2008, alongside former team mate Stephen Hindmarch who joined Reds ayear ago.
After two years with Shrewsbury and 59 appearances he was released in May.

Although a different type of player to Tony Hopper, who has announced his retirement, the signing of Murray would certainly help plug the uge gap that his departure leaves.

Hopper is likely to make an emotional farewell in the friendly with Carlisle United on Tuesday, July 13 – in a game involving the two clubs where he played over 350 games in his disinguished career.

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