It is with great sadness that the club learned on Monday of the death of former captain, Don Murray, at Llandough, near Cardiff. He was 80 years of age.
An iron-hard central defender, Don spent less than two years at Tynecastle, but he made a fine contribution, assisting Hearts to qualify for the initial Scottish Premier Division campaign and to then reach the Scottish Cup Final in May 1976.
Don Murray was born into a farming family at Duffus, near Elgin, on 18 January 1946. As a youngster, he started playing football for Hopeman Junior School and the near six-foot defender progressed to the junior ranks, with Burghead Thistle. Don then signed for Cardiff City in January 1963, but his performances were always on the Scotland radar and he was capped at U23 level in February 1965.
He was an absolutely colossal figure in the Cardiff City team which operated in the Football League Second Division throughout Don’s career. During 527 appearances, he helped the Ninian Park side to reach the Semi-Finals of the Football League Cup in 1965-66, and also the Semi-Finals of the European Cup Winners Cup in 1967-68. Over the years, Don played 33 games in that European competition, due to City’s regular success in the Welsh Cup.
Regarded as one of Cardiff City’s finest captains, Don had a brief period on loan to Swansea Town, before moving to Hearts in December 1974 for a fee of £15,000. His commanding presence turned round a difficult season for Hearts and the team qualified for initial Premier Division that commenced in 1975-76. He brought stability to the team and, not surprisingly, the vastly experienced defender was appointed captain for that historic Premier campaign in which Hearts finished fifth.
Hearts also reached the Scottish Cup Final in May 1976, but the captain missed the match against Rangers, due to a bad calf injury. Don always led by example and was sorely missed at Hampden Park.
He subsequently led the players on the club’s tour of Norway and Australasia, but as the new season commenced, Don found it difficult to shake off his calf injury. As a result, after 71 appearances for Hearts, in October 1976, he joined Newport County. Don later played for Barry Town.
After football, Don Murray did fine work as a social worker and our sincere condolences are extended to his family and friends.
By Club Historian David Speed
