Rumours linking the return of Paul Murray to Boundary Park have been confirmed by the Latics manager Ronnie Moore. His former employees did offer him a lucrative deal to remain with Athletic but last summer he joined Beira Mar in Portugal as a free agent. The deal did not work out as Murray planned as he was expecting to be involved in European football but Beira Mar have had a bad season and now face relegation from the Superliga. Murray was a firm favourite at Boundary Park and would jump at the chance to return even though he would have to take a pay cut. Ronnie Moore said, “If there’s a chance to sign him I don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t. I tried to get him to Rotherham last season because he gives you drive, he scores goals and he’s a good all-round player. I’ve been talking about bringing big lads into midfield and Paul Murray doesn’t fit into that, but he has the heart of a lion."
"Having been here before, he also knows the club and how it ticks over. He’s on good wages in Portugal and it’s very rare that a player moves for less money, especially when they have a year left on their contract. It might help if Beira Mar pay him off, but I know he has spoken to the owners here so it will be interesting to see what happens.”