Darren Murphy signs for Boro

News filtered through yesterday that Stevenage Borough are set to sign Darren Murphy, a 23 year old midfielder from Cork City, a team who plays in the Irish Premier League. Initially Murphy will just train with the club as he is not allowed to sign officially until the January transfer window opens, but will sign a two year contract on January 1st.

I don’t know anything about Murphy, but I would assume Boro have had him watched and/or recommended. By what I have read he seems to be a box to box type midfielder and will replace the outgoing John Martin. Murphy has been a regular with one of the best teams in Ireland, so he could be a very good signing, but there’s a big difference in the standard of league and we may not see the best of Westley’s newest recruit until next season, when hopefully Westley isn’t in charge.

By the looks of it January is going to be a very busy month at Broadhall Way with plenty of movement both in and out and the permanent signings of Murphy and Roberts will be just the beginning of that. I’d expect another 3/4 new faces as well as 4/5 going out, of which 2 will be Daryl McMahon and John Martin unfortunately. With both of them having a few years remaining in their contract then they won’t go cheap, but I can’t imagine GW keeping unwanted players at his disposal.

In other news, Farnborough beat Wingate and Finchley 3-1 last night to reach the 2nd round of the FA Trophy. They will now host Boro on the 10th January in what will be a return to Cherrywood Road for former boss Graham Westley. GW did not leave Farnborough Town in the best of situations which in the end led to the liquidation of that club. A newly formed Farnborough are now working there way back up the non league pyramid and will be well up for knocking GW’s Boro out of the Trophy, which realistically is the club’s last chance of silverware this season.