Former Middlesbrough player David Murphy believes the expansion of Wells CRS, the business he co-owns, will mean enough new hires to make up a football team by the summer.

Together with Wells’ founding partner, Garry Wells, David has enjoyed sizeable success during his first three years at the forefront of the commercial refurbishment specialists on Teesside.

While his involvement is not something he has been in a rush to shout about, the progress of the Middlesbrough-based company is something that the two partners are proud of.

As well as hoping to secure an apprentice plumber and electrician in the coming weeks, Wells is also looking to appoint three more electricians, another plumber and two shop fitters.

Those eight new hires will follow the two shop fitters, electrician and plumber that have arrived in recent months – all employed from the local area despite contracts nationwide.

Wells’ head office has also moved to the heart of Middlesbrough at Preston Farm Industrial Estate.

David, who started his career at Middlesbrough before spells with Hibernian and Birmingham City, said: “The last few years have been fantastic. It comes down to trust and me and Garry trust each other 100 per cent.

Read more: Middlesbrough FC news here, and Sunderland AFC news here

“We both have the same ideas and thought processes on how we want to grow and expand. It is rare in a partnership.

“For me it is a completely different world to what I was used to but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Even when I played I didn’t get wrapped up in the limelight, I just wanted to concentrate on football.

“But now I am away from that world, I am still dealing with lads on a day-to-day basis and it’s been easy to transfer skills and qualities gained from my playing career into this field. Team morale is key.”

Wells CRS is currently working on a complete refurbishment of the old Heart Foundation shop unit on Stockton High Street where the charity Vision 25 – which helps young adults with a disability gain greater independence – will be based.

It also boasts clients such as Arriva, OCS Group, Knight Frank and Stockton Council, providing a full turnkey solution to commercial refurbishment from walls, floors and ceilings to electrical and mechanical.

David, born in Hartlepool, said: “I get a buzz dealing with the clients, keeping them all happy, and it is all worth it when you see the finished product.

“I was involved in bars and clubs in Marbella and Essex during my playing days and I wanted to get involved in the refurb side of the business after I retired in 2014 because of injury.

“I did a bit in football initially, scouting, but quickly found out that staying in the game wasn’t for me. I wanted to broaden my horizons and set myself a new challenge.”

It was shortly after when David and Garry met. They have been friends ever since, which eventually led to Garry offering him the chance to get involved with the Wells brand he originally launched in 2002.

Garry, from Middlesbrough, said: “It got to the point where I needed help, not just in the office and in the field, but with someone I could trust.

“Since 2019 I have taken a bit more of a direct role with clients where before I would be doing everything. David has pulled in his contacts, added another arm to the company and together we make each other stronger.”

Over at South Shields FC, former Sunderland AFC legend Kevin Phillips has signed a different type of contract to his usual one, to join North East England Chamber of Commerce.

The club has launched ambitious plans to grow its business support and promotional opportunities at its Mariners 1st Cloud Arena in South Shields and will use the Chamber network as part of this strategy.

Newly-appointed executive director South Shields-born, Glen Stidolph, who comes with a track record of marketing Premier Elite League clubs and sports properties in Asia like Manchester United and Chelsea said: “We’re currently completing a £6m multi-million investment programme to provide state-of-the-art facilities for our sponsors and fans as part of our journey towards English Football League football and want to get the message out about what we can offer.

“My appointment here is a real labour of love after being involved in elite sports marketing around the world. South Shields FC is going to closely linked with countries from Dubai to Malaysia in the coming weeks with huge interest from these football-loving places.

“It makes perfect sense to begin this marketing push by joining such a strong business to business network in the region.”

Kevin Phillips said: “We have a fantastic atmosphere here, with amazing supporters. I would urge everyone who loves football to come down to the Mariners ground and have a great time.

“However, we do need businesses to get behind what we’re doing as well, either for hospitality or promotional opportunities. The players and me are looking forward to welcoming them.”

Alan Metcalfe, chair, Chamber South Tyneside area (Zenith People) said: “We’re delighted to have South Shields FC in our membership and to be able to contribute to their success. It’s also great for us to introduce local companies to the club, so they can all become part of the supply chain on the ground’s development.”

As well as the football team, South Shields FC has a successful football academy and a Foundation, to support health and well-being of the local community.

 

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