How Glenn Murray became a true Brighton legend after 'that impressive warm-up' for Rochdale

That’s very much the case at the Albion, with many candidates over the years suggested to be in the said category.

With the best will in the world, many names offered up are a combination of knee jerk reactions and good old sentimentality, but earlier this week news broke that an actual genuine Albion legend would be leaving to go to Championship club Watford for a season long loan.

Glenn Murray joined the Albion from Rochdale towards the end of the January transfer window in 2008 for a reported fee of £300,000, back then a huge outlay for the club.

At the time Brighton chief scout Barry Lloyd spoke on my BBC Sussex phone in show stating he was convinced the Albion should buy Murray on the strength of watching him in the warm up before a Rochdale game.

Lloyd’s expert eye didn’t let him down and the Albion’s investment paid dividends with 54 goals in 118 games over the next three years, before the ‘blip’ and what blip it was.

With the League One Championship in trophy cabinet and the state of the art Amex stadium ready, then boss Gus Poyet proved it really is a game of opinions, letting Murray reluctantly leave the club for Crystal Palace in place of inferior replacement Craig Mckail-Smith, it was a decision which would have far reaching consequences, but more on them later.

Even away from the Albion Murray’s class on and off the field shone through. On his first visit to the Amex with Palace in September 2011, he declined to celebrate a goal for his new club in a highly competitive derby match, later stating it was done out of respect to the Albion fans.

After Palace, where he won promotion to the Premier League, spells on loan at Reading then permanently at Bournemouth before Chris Hughton brought Murray back to the Albion, initially on loan in 2016, where he was a huge part of promotion to the Premier League, with a further 15 goals in 26 games.

My own experience of Glenn off the field, is exemplary. Nothing is ever too much when it comes to help with charity events, and also humour when applicable. He once sent a signed shirt to lad we knew who was getting married with the words ‘Stay Strong’ on it.

But to return to the Poyet’s ego and the far reaching consequences, Murray leaves the Albion 14 goals short of Tommy Cook’s all time club record.

Had things been different in 2011, I firmly believe that record would now belong to Glenn Murray. I also believe the Albion would have reached the Premier League earlier, I’m also of the opinion that a free scoring Murray at the Amex in the Championship and later the top tier would have seen him gain international recognition with England.

He would also have qualified for a well deserved testimonial season.

He never wanted to leave in 2011 and I believe that action has changed the history of the Albion.

Thanks for the memories Muzza, you will never be forgotten and you are without doubt a genuine Albion legend.

And finally good luck to Worthing’s very own Harrison Reed who has made a £6million switch from Southampton to Fulham after his season long loan at Craven Cottage saw him help the Cottagers return to the Premier League.

Harrison deserves all the recognition he gets. Not only a naturally gifted footballer, off the field he possesses that important quality in that he’s never forgotten his roots and his always kept his feet firmly on the ground.