Our thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of former Motherwell player and coach Cammy Murray, who passed away on Wednesday aged 80.
Cammy worked closely with the Well Society over a number of areas as a key member of the Former Players’ Club and also the Motherwell FC Heritage Trust.
He was a driving force in ensuring Tommy McLean got the recognition he deserved with the renaming of the south stand in his honour and was passionate about preserving and celebrating the heritage of the club.
The progress of the Heritage Trust to this point owes much to the typically boundless enthusiasm, determination and persistence Cammy showed in pushing for the club’s past achievements and heroes to be recognised and remembered.
Cammy emulated his brother, George, when he played for Motherwell in the 1972-73 season. His spells with St Mirren and Arbroath either side of that sole campaign earned him a place in both clubs’ Halls of Fame but he would go on to make a major contribution to Motherwell off the park.
A PE teacher at Lanark Grammar School, where he passed on his love of Motherwell to several generations of pupils, Cammy was a part-time coach at Fir Park under most managers from Roger Hynd in the late 1970s and throughout McLean’s decade in charge until 1994. He was Tom Forsyth’s assistant manager at Dunfermline during a short spell away from the club in 1982-83.
Cammy coached youth players and was McLean’s reserve-team manager but he was a regular fixture in the first-team dugout including throughout the successful 1991 Scottish Cup campaign.
Cammy also scouted for the club and his successes included the late, great Phil O’Donnell, signing the midfielder on ‘S-forms’ after seeing him in action aged around 13-14.
Speaking in 2022, he said: “I can’t remember who he was playing for or exactly where it was, but I do remember it was in Glasgow and it was lashing down when I first saw Philip. I just remember standing there watching him streaking by people with these really skilful, powerful, direct runs.”
O’Donnell would, of course, go on to score and star in the 1991 cup final.
“I often get asked what the highlight of my football career was,” Cammy said. “I always say it was being with Motherwell when they won the cup – just to experience the sheer joy and jubilation. It is something you will never forget.”
Cammy maintained that affinity with the club after leaving his coaching role. He was on the committee of the Former Players’ club, a regular at Fir Park and his desire to preserve the club’s heritage will ensure his influence will carry on for years to come.
Our condolences go to Cammy’s wife, Rae, and sons Alan and Stuart.