Zander Murray (born 2 November 1991) is a Scottish retired footballer who played as a forward for Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic FC, Motherwell FC & Airdrieonians as a youth.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 2 November 1991 | ||
| Place of birth | Scotland | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| –2016 | Pumpherston | ||
| 2016–2018 | Broxburn Athletic | ||
| 2018–2019 | Pumpherston | ||
| 2019–2023 | Gala Fairydean Rovers | (106) | |
| 2023 | Bonnyrigg Rose | 15 | (1) |
| 2023–2024 | Gala Fairydean Rovers | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Career
editHis youth football career began at Motherwell FC before moving to Airdrieonians FC.
Murray played for Pumpherston. In 2016, he signed for Broxburn Athletic. In 2018, he returned to Pumpherston. In 2019, he signed for Gala Fairydean Rovers. He scored more than 100 goals for the club, including a club record 25 goals in the 2021–22 campaign in a best-ever league finish, while also reaching the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup final.[1]
In early 2023, he signed for Bonnyrigg Rose of Scottish League Two, making his debut for the club during a 2–1 loss to Annan Athletic.[2][3]
Zander became the first Scottish openly gay player in the SPFL.[4]
He has been an advocate in tackling homophobia within Football and in Wider Society. Receiving numerous accolades and awards in doing so.[5] [6] [7]
His ambassador work in football has featured in two documentaries, "Out on the Pitch" with BBC & "Rylan: Homophobia, Football and me".[8] [9]
Personal life
editMurray came out as gay in 2022, becoming the first Scottish footballer to do so.[10] He has worked as a career advisor.[11]
References
edit- ^ "Murray comes 'home' to Gala Fairydean Rovers". bordertelegraph.com. 29 September 2023.
- ^ "Robbie Horn encouraged by Zander Murray's debut". The Scotsman. 5 February 2023.
- ^ Z. Murray, Soccerway
- ^ "Zander Murray signs for Bonnyrigg Rose to become only openly gay player in SPFL".
- ^ "From sporting heroes to human rights campaigners . Who is our Scot of the Year?". January 2023.
- ^ "Zander Murray, Tracy Brown, Man Utd and Gender Goals among winners at fabulous FVH Awards".
- ^ "21 LGBTQ activists we looked up to in 2023". 28 December 2023.
- ^ "BBC One - Disclosure, Out on the Pitch".
- ^ "Scots footballer to appear with Rylan Clark and Rio Ferdinand in homophobia doc". 7 February 2024.
- ^ "Zander Murray: What we can learn from Scotland's rarest footballer". heraldscotland.com. 29 December 2023.
- ^ Grant, Michael. "Zander Murray: 'I'm a wee boy from Glasgow. I didn't realise the power of being visible as a gay player'". thetimes.co.uk (Archived).