ANTONIO Murray has always wanted to follow in his dad's footsteps and at just 18 he has fulfilled the first big step – playing league football.Dad Jamie Murray, now a taxi-driver in Cambridge, was at Pride Park to see his son make his debut for Ipswich and must have been bursting with the stuff the ground is named after.

ANTONIO Murray has always wanted to follow in his dad's footsteps and at just 18 he has fulfilled the first big step – playing league football.

Dad Jamie Murray, now a taxi-driver in Cambridge, was at Pride Park to see his son make his debut for Ipswich and must have been bursting with the stuff the ground is named after. The former Brentford and Cambridge United player watched his son go on as an 81st-minute substitute in place of striker Marcus Bent, who received deserved rapturous applause as he went off as well as after the game.

Murray has burst on to the scene in the past couple of months after missing the early part of the season with shin splints.

He quickly drew praise from Joe Royle who believes "he has it all". And, after a starring role in the 3-0 win at Coventry Reserves last week, he was promoted.

Murray said: "I have been playing well recently so it was very good of the gaffer to call me up. The atmosphere was fantastic but the game had a quick tempo. I thoroughly enjoyed it."

In time-honoured tradition the Town players threw their shirts into the crowd at the end of the game.

For some, like Fabian Wilnis, whose future is uncertain, that also meant his socks and boots. Murray was, understandably, not going to be so generous with his No. 29 top. He said: "It was my first shirt and I wanted to keep it. Someone from the crowd asked for it but I couldn't let it go, it is a bit special."

No doubt his proud dad will be looking to have it framed and hung up next to his.