Joelle Louise Murray (born 7 November 1986) is a former Scottish international footballer who played as a defender for Hibernian of the Scottish Women's Premier League.

Joelle Murray
Murray playing for Scotland in 2015
Personal information
Full name Joelle Louise Murray[1]
Date of birth (1986-11-07) 7 November 1986 (age 38)
Place of birth Chirnside, Scotland
Height 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
Coldstream BC
Chirnside BC
Hibernian
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2024 Hibernian
International career
2008 Scotland U23 1 (0)
2007–2019 Scotland[2] 48 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 6 March 2019

Career

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Murray grew up in Chirnside, Scotland, and started her career playing with local boys' clubs. At the age of 12 she joined the youth set-up at Hibernian Ladies. She progressed through the age groups and into the senior side, winning all domestic honours along the way and latterly being under-17 captain.[3] Murray made her UEFA Women's Cup debut in July 2004 against Rapide Wezemaal and has made six appearances in the competition to date.[4]

After being called up to the Scotland Under-17 squad in 2002, Murray came through the various age-group teams and made her full international debut against Belgium in August 2007. She scored her first international goal against Northern Ireland in a May 2009 challenge match.[2][5]

Murray is the most decorated Hibernian player of all time and was the first woman ever at Hibernian to sign a professional contract, on 21st February 2020.[6]

Retirement

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Murray's decision to retire at the end of the 2023–24 season was announced on Twitter on 8 May 2024. During her career she made 507 appearances for Hibernian Women and was capped 48 times for Scotland. The 37-year-old won all domestic trophies with her childhood club – including two SWPL titles, seven Scottish Cups and five League Cups.[7]

Speaking to the Hibernian FC website regarding her retirement she stated: “physically and mentally I feel it is the right time for me to bow out of the game and I hope I've left it in a better place than I found it."[8]

She was inducted into the club's Hall of Fame in 2024.[9]

Career statistics

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International appearances

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As of the match played on 11 April 2023[2]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Scotland 2007 2 0
2008 2 0
2009 4 1
2010 9 0
2011
2012 1 0
2013 11 0
2014 4 0
2015 1 0
2016 4 0
2017 7 0
2018
2019 3 0
Total 48 1

International goals

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Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first.[2]
# Date Venue Opponent Result Competition Scored
1 12 May 2009 Forthbank Stadium, Stirling   Northern Ireland 3–1 Friendly 1

References

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  1. ^ "FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019™ List of Players - Scotland" (PDF). FIFA. 27 May 2019. p. 19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d Joelle Murray at the Scottish Football Association
  3. ^ "Chirnside footballers share top award". Berwickshire News. 13 October 2010. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  4. ^ "UEFA - Joelle Murray". UEFA. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  5. ^ "International News". Hibs Girls. 26 November 2002. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  6. ^ "Joelle Murray Calls Time on Historic Career". 8 May 2024. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024.
  7. ^ "WATCH: Joelle Murray Receives Special Recognition Award". Hibernian FC. 26 May 2024. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024.
  8. ^ "Murray Proud and Privileged to Play for Hibs". Hibernian FC. 8 May 2024. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024.
  9. ^ Six Hibs legends inducted into Hall of Fame, Hibernian FC, 17 October 2024
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