A FORMER North East defender has decided to take on his first managerial role in football – all in aid of charity.

Former Middlesbrough defender David Murphy, who retired nine years ago following injury, will oversee a five-a-side team at the first Wells CRS Community Cup at Soccer Sensations, in Stockton, on Sunday, December 3.

All money raised from the event will be donated to Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind and the Ingleby Barwick Community Partnership.

That event will follow another fundraiser when the Myton House Farm pub, Ingleby Barwick, will host a race night on Saturday, November 4.

After that, Mr Murphy, who has co-owned the commercial refurbishment specialists Wells with Garry Wells since 2019, will be naming his starting line-up for his company’s team at the five-a-side competition in December.

The Northern Echo: From lect, Wells CRS' owners Garry Wells and David Murphy with Soccer Sensations' Dan Pattison and

The 39-year-old said: “I’ve never even wanted to get back into football since retiring, so this is going to be a bit of fun.

"The main thing is to give something back to the local community, we all agree with those who are organising the event.

“We hope the money raised will help to provide activities and opportunities to help keep kids off the streets. It’s going to be great to be part of.

“There’s not a chance of me getting my boots out again, I don’t think my knees could take it."

He added: "“Wells CRS are proud to support this event and hopefully I can manage the team to glory. The first person I’m looking forward to giving the hairdryer treatment to, mind, is my business partner, Garry.”

Hartlepool-born Mr Murphy was a graduate of the Middlesbrough academy before Steve McClaren handed him his professional debut in 2001 in the League Cup. After three years at Boro he had spells with Barnsley, Hibernian and Birmingham City.

Wells CRS are sponsoring the event, organised by local teacher Paul Trollope and sales advisor Martyn Williams. Soccer Sensations Teesside are providing exclusive use of the centre that afternoon.

Most read:

Get more from The Northern Echo for just £3 for three months for a Premium Plus annual subscription or £47 for an annual subscription (saving 40 per cent). Click here.

The tournament is open to teams over the age of 16. There is a limit of 20 teams who will compete in a group stage format progressing into knockouts.

Dan Pattison, Soccer Sensations’ club manager, said: “We will be providing trophies for individuals, the winners and runners up.

“The bar will be open and there will be a pitch set aside throughout the afternoon for children to get involved in penalty shoot-outs and other activities.”

  • To enter a team in the Wells CRS Annual Community Cup contact Paul Trollope on 07818507746 or email pault68@hotmail.com. The price is £70 per team and each team can have a maximum of seven players in the squad.
  • To book a table at the race night contact the Myton House Farm directly and remaining tickets are priced £4 each including pie and peas.