From the New South Wales tablelands town of Gunnedah, a 20 yr old rugby league player,
Tony Murphy, travelled north in 1982 to join the Redcliffe Dolphins.
His skill as a backline player was soon recognised and he rose from the reserves to play in the Redcliffe Dolphins A Grade side. He made his home in Redcliffe and during the off season he worked in the service division of the Dolphin’s sponsor Village Motors. He is Dolphins player No. 270.
Redcliffe District Rugby League Football Club First Grade Team 1983:
Front Row: Colin Part, Darrell Holder, Mitch Brennan, John Barber, Mark Murray, Tony Murphy, Steve Bleakley.
Second Row: John Chapman, Shane Bernardin, Terry Webb, Wally Fullerton Smith, Dave Brown, Steve Cherry, Vic Tighe.
Third Row: Trevor Benson, Mark Forster, Tony Kajawski, John Boxsell.
After hanging up his boots in 1986, he took on the roles of the Dolphins Football Manager and then Operations Manager of the Redcliffe Dolphin’s Leagues Club. He gained an Advanced Diploma in Club Management. Identified as an effective communicator and a man who could get things done, he was appointed as General manager of the Football and League’s Clubs. Under his stewardship and with the support of the club’s board, the Redcliffe Dolphins have prospered by expanding it’s asset base from $18 million to over $100 million. These assets include the Dolphins NRL,
Redcliffe Leagues Club INC, Redcliffe Rugby League Football Club, Dolphins Health and Fitness and Aquatic Centre, Dolphin Bingo Centre, Central Shopping and Dolphin Stadium.
Photo: Dolphins Chairman Bob Jones, Terry Reader and Tony Murphy
Alongside Chairman Bob Jones, Terry Reader and a hard working Board and supporters, the Dolphins became the 17th team in the NRL for Season 2023.
Dolphins Bingo official page at: https://dolphinsbingo.com.au/
Tony Murphy is listed on the wall of the Redcliffe Wall of Fame:
A collection of portrait and information honouring the achievements of individuals who have influenced and shaped Redcliffe. The collection is in the Jetty Arcade at 139-141 Redcliffe Parade.
For a complete list of people who appear on the wall click on the following blog post: