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There have been a number of exciting strikers to come off the Fir Park production line in the past and one of the current crop to have made it through the ranks is Jamie Murphy.
Murphy joined Motherwell in 2001, at U13 level, having previously been on the books of Clyde.
The Knightswood Academy pupil worked his way through the youth ranks under the charge of coaches Colin Campbell and Bill Reside when first joining then later the tutorship of Graham Ogg and Andy Brown.
At every level Jamie finished top scorer and was rewarded by signing pro-youth at the start of the 2005'06 season whilst playing for the U17's.
Murphy's second season as a pro saw him progress into Chris McCart's U19 side, the reserve team and then of course the 'Well first team.
Murphy continued to produce the form of previous seasons finishing as leading scorer in a season of transition for the U19's.
Although his appearances were a bit more sporadic at reserve level he played his part in helping Paul Hegarty's side finish as runners-up to Celtic in the 2006'07 campaign. His most notable contribution coming when he netted his first goal for the second string with late winner away to Rangers in March 2007.
Then having been rewarded with a place on the bench, Maurice Malpas had sufficient faith in the forward to give him his debut against the soon to be crowned SPL Champions Celtic at Parkhead when he was sent on for the last 10 minutes as 'Well chased an equaliser.
His first start for the Dossers came a few weeks later in the final game of the 2006'07 season at Tannadice where he got his first 90 minutes for the top team under his belt.
Jamie's progress didn't go unnoticed beyond the confines of Fir Park as he became been a mainstay in the Scotland Youth set up first in the Scotland U16' then U17's.
Murphy's competitive debut for his country came against Hungary when he came off the bench in a European Championship Qualifier in Budapest. Other caps followed against Wales, Jersey and against Malta, where he scored a double in an impressive 5-1 romp for the Scots.
The 2007'08 season saw Jamie begin the campaign in sparkling form for the 'Well U19's and end it a regular in the first team squad.
His goals in the 19's saw the 'Well youngsters reach the top of the table, albeit briefly. His performances were rewarded in late September when he was given a place on the bench for the game at the Falkirk stadium and he added to his top team appearances tally by coming on for the last six or seven minutes as 'Well chased an equaliser. Although he was only on the park a few minutes he did enough to draw praise from Motherwell gaffer Mark McGhee and remained a part of the first team squad ever since.
In total Jamie would make 17 appearances from the bench throughout the 2007'08 season, the last of which was notable as he netted his first goal for the senior side.
Having been brought down in the box, Ross McCormack would have been expected to take the penalty himself but instead passed it to Murphy who slotted the ball home to secure a 2-0 win for Motherwell over Hibs at Easter Road.
In February 2008 Jamie's potential was rewarded with a new contract keeping the striker tied to the club until the summer of 2011 at least.
The 2008'09 season was a season of quiet but definite progression by the youngster. With more trust placed in him by his manager, Murphy made 12 starts over the course of the season, in addition to twenty plus appearances off the bench; netting three goals against Hamilton Accies in the League Cup, Falkirk and the opener in the 3-1 win over St Mirren near the close of the campaign, in the process.
Jamie's progression through the Scotland ranks has also continued with his U21 debut coming away to Denmark, and getting on the scoresheet against Northern Ireland and Albania.
Murphy was an important part of new manager Jim Gannon's plans and responded by netting four goals in the Europa League including a hat-trick in the 8-1 thrashing of Albanians Flamurtari.
In the SPL goals were initially more difficult to come but by the close of the season Jamie had netted six league goals, including a run towards the end of the season of three goals in three, ensuring he had hit double figures at senior level for the first time in his career.
In addition Murph was often asked to play a more disciplined role on the wing rather than as a central striker or as part of an attacking duo.
In the summer of 2010 Jamie agreed a contract extension with the club keeping him under contract with 'Well until the summer of 2013.
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D.O.B:
28/08/1989
Born:
Glasgow
Height:
5' 9'
Weight:
10st 5Ibs
Signed From:
MFC Youth
Position:
Striker
International Caps:
 0
International Goals:
0
2010/11 Squad No:
9
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