EVERY young player on Town’s books should seek advice from Andy Booth.
Those are the wise words of former Academy chief Gerry Murphy, the man who convinced Booth to sign for his hometown club almost two decades ago.
Murphy, who retired himself earlier this season, is delighted Booth will still be involved at the Galpharm and that his vast knowledge won’t be lost to the club or the players coming through.
“People have asked me many times who is the best player I’ve signed and who is the best player I’ve worked with – and the man who comes out head and shoulders above the rest on both counts is Andy Booth,” said Murphy.
“He has been absolutely fantastic to deal with from day one and he has always had his feet firmly planted on the ground in his approach to the game.
“He is a real local lad who has got the club at heart and that’s why he is loved by everybody.
“That’s why he will make a brilliant ambassador for the club, and that is an excellent appointment for Town in my opinion because he is just the lift they need.
“I’m absolutely delighted for him, it’s well deserved as a stalwart of the club and a great honour for Andy at the end of what has been a tremendous playing career.”
Murphy has remained close to the man who might well have ended up at Doncaster, Derby, Blackburn or Scarborough had he not called at the family home in Oakes to persuade him Town were the better option.
Since that day, Booth has carved his own special niche in Town history, either side of a move to Sheffield Wednesday and a short loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur.
“Andy has had one hell of a career and if he was doing it all again, there wouldn’t be much he would script differently, apart from scribbling out a few injuries!” added Murphy.
“People have said it’s a pity the Premier League didn’t come a little bit earlier for him, but he has always been one of the best headers of a ball in the League and I’ve always told people, if you put the ball in the right areas, Boothy will do the rest.”
Murphy added: “If ever a lad has made the most of his ability then it’s Andy, and that’s where the young players of today can learn so much.
“He is a great example to every young player out there because he has used his ability and taken it to the highest level possible.
“I’ve seen players with probably more ability than Andy, but they haven’t made the best of it and done nowhere near as much in the game.
“Andy has made the maximum of his ability, and I would encourage any young player coming through at Town to seek him out and ask him how he’s gone about things.
“He has always looked after himself and, knowing Andy, I’m sure he would be only too delighted to tell people how he’s got where he is today.
“People have to realise that ability alone is not enough, and Andy Booth can fill them in about all the other things which are needed.”
