Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Keith Eigeland / Football Queensland

FNQ FC Heat will be without the versatile Tom Murphy for the 2015 PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland season after he signed with Victorian club Green Gully SC.

Murphy, 21, becomes the latest in a number of standout Queensland players to make the move down south and chance their hand in PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria competition next season.

Murphy made 44 appearances for Heat in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland over the past two years – more than any other player in Heat colours – and scored four goals for the Cairns-based club.

He was recognised as Heat's Coach's Player of the Year in the 2013 season, as well as receiving the Paul Cronin Memorial Award the same season as the club's outstanding young player both on and off the pitch.

Heat coach Martin Docherty conceded Murphy will leave a big hole to fill for the 2014 PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Semi-Finalists, but added his departure provided opportunities for the club’s Academy players to step up in 2015.

“The idea of the NPL is that we promote from within. We have a very successful and stable Academy,” Docherty said.

“We may have to lower our expectations somewhat in terms of where we finish in the table but we will never lower our standards.”

“Any player goes with our best wishes and knowing the fact that our door is always open for a return if they want it,” he added.

Docherty said that Murphy’s work ethic, which saw him overcome injury and positional changes, was a prime reason for him taking the next step in his career.

“Tom carried a couple of injuries last year and filled in initially at right back, but when I came back on board I put him back in midfield before he returned to right back again,” he explained.

“I think Green Gully will be absolutely rubbing their hands that they have a guy who will be working his socks off all day, everyday for them.”

Docherty also conceded that Heat, who are set to embark on only their third competitive season, were simply unable to compete financially with more established clubs from the richer southern divisions.

“Other than the lifestyle and the luxury of living in Cairns, we don’t have the dollars to actually pay the players and that becomes a massive obstacle because other clubs are waiving the chequebook.”

“But by the same token, players are ambitious. I would never knock anybody for saying they want to have a go in Victoria or New South Wales or in Brisbane for that matter.”

“If the price of success is that we lose a number of players then that’s a credit to the players and the club and I see that as a positive thing to be honest.”

Green Gully SC, who sport the nickname Cavaliers, finished the 2014 PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria season in tenth position and briefly competed in the former National Soccer League in the mid-1980’s.