Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Brisbane City FC

Former PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Golden Boot winner Antonio Murray will return for Brisbane City in 2015, the club has confirmed.

Murray was one of the competitions stand-out strikers in the 2013 season, netting 27 goals as City qualified for the inaugural PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Grand Final.

His performances earned the now 30-year-old Englishman an extended trial with Brisbane Roar, however his status as a visa player ultimately put paid to a professional contract with the Hyundai A-League club.

A subsequent return to England meant Murray was unable to play for City until August this year, delivering two goals in the final four matches of the season.

Now with a bridging visa, the former Ipswich Town and Hibernian player said he was raring to go for a full season of PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues football in 2015.

“I’m looking forward to it. I sat down with the manager (Glen Volker) and discussed what the club wants to achieve next year and it was all really positive,” Murray said.

“We’re going to try and finish as high as possible in the league and, with the FFA Cup, we’ll try and go as far as we can.”

Murray admitted his enforced absence throughout much of 2014 was frustrating as City struggled to replicate their 2013 form.

“I kept in contact with the boys and checked up on the scores on a weekly basis and obviously it was a bit of an inconsistent year,” Murray said.

“It was an up-and-down season really but we lost some big players from 2013 – the two Americans, Tom Shannon and Eric Frazier, were key and Kenny Dougal only played a handful of games.”

“So there was a bit of rebuilding last season and experimenting with some formations but hopefully we can get it right next year and have a real good go at the league.”

While conceding other suitors had been in contact, Murray said his strong family connection with the club meant City was always his most likely destination for 2015.

“I had a few options but I thought it would be best for me if I stayed at Brisbane City – I’ve always had Brisbane City in my heart” Murray explained.

Further, Murray said despite only just missing out on a first-team spot with Roar in late 2013 he no longer expected to figure in the future recruitment plans of any Hyundai A-League clubs.

“I’ve not really given any thought to the A-League. The ship has probably sailed on that one and I want to concentrate on playing for Brisbane City,” he said.

However, Murray still maintains a typical strikers’ confidence that he will be in with a shout for another Golden Boot title next year.

“Every striker in the league wants to score as many goals as they can - otherwise they are playing the wrong position,” he concluded.