Crawford backs Murphy to keep breaking Ipswich Town goal records

Ipswich Town legend Ray Crawford. Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARY (Image: Archant)

Fox-in-the-box Crawford, now 78, scored 204 league goals for the Blues in the late 50s and early 60s, forming a deadly partnership with long-range shooting specialist Ted Phillips as Alf Ramsey’s men went from Division Three South to top-tier champions.

Murphy has become only the 11th player in the club’s history to score 20 league goals in a campaign and, with 15 games still to go, has several more records in his sights.

One more goal would equal the league totals achieved by Alan Brazil (1981/82) and David Johnson (1999/00), two more would match Bill Jennings’ tally of 1948/49, while beyond that are several red-hot Crawford and Phillips campaigns, as well as one season by Tommy Parker (30) in 1955/56.

“He’s been absolutely brilliant,” enthused Crawford. “He’s probably not going to get the 40 league goals I scored in the second tier (60/61), but he could very well chase down a few of mine and Ted’s tallies from those days. And I hope he does

“As a striker you live on goals. I remember coming off after a Town game that we’d won 6-0. Ted had scored a hat-trick and I’d not got one. I was pig sick!

“When you’re in that sort of form, and the team is doing well, you just take it for granted that you will get chances and keep finding the back of the net.

“Daryl’s achievements are remarkable really because back in my day both teams used to really go for it and there were a lot more goals. These days teams stick five men behind the ball and play for draws.”

Murphy is now joint 15th in Ipswich’s all-time leading league scorers list with 51, two behind Jason Dozzell and Pablo Counago.

Portsmouth-based Crawford continued: “What I like about Daryl is that this is happening for him later in his career. It’s a sign of how hard he’s worked at his game.

“I think his age (31) will enable him to take all this in his stride.

“I can’t see him getting edgy if he goes a few games without scoring. He’ll just keeping making those intelligent runs in the box, keep doing his defensive work and doing his best for the team.

“It’s up to the midfield and wingers to keep supplying the through balls and crosses. If they do then I see no reason why he can’t keep scoring.”

Crawford added: “I cover the Portsmouth games for the local radio down this way and all the people in the press box keep me up to date with how Ipswich are getting on. It’s great to see them doing so well and I’d love to see the Town get promoted.”