TOWN legend Andy Booth today paid tribute to Gerry Murphy and ventured: “He’ll be a hard act to follow.”

The 65-year-old academy chief – three times caretaker manager of the club – retired on Friday after two decades of service to Town.

Booth is one of the many Town players to have been nurtured by Murphy in his younger days, indeed the strike ace would probably have signed for another club had the Irishman not turned up on his doorstep and persuaded him otherwise.

And he believes that Murphy thoroughly deserves whatever the club decide to do in his honour towards the end of this centenary season.

“Gerry is a fantastic bloke in every sense and he’ll definitely be missed by all the players at the club,” said Booth, who may figure in tomorrow’s reserve clash against York City at Emley (2.00).

“He has been fantastic for all the young lads who have come through the club system, and he’s always been a massive help to those who have come from outside and helped them to settle in.

“I’ve known Gerry pretty much all my life – he’s football through and through and Huddersfield Town through and through – and he’s always been there for me and the rest of the lads.

“That’s why everyone will wish him all the best. He should make the most of his retirement and put his feet up – but it wouldn’t surprise me if we still see him around the club, and he’ll be more than welcome.”

Booth has made just one substitute appearance (at Northampton) since September because of back surgery, but he played in both Murphy’s previous spells as caretaker boss.

“Gerry definitely had the Midas touch at first-team level and he did it not just once, but three times,” added Booth, who has 144 Town goals and 178 in his career.

“Working with the young players has been his forte, but he has shown he can do just as good a job with the senior professionals and that says everything about what an all-rounder he is.

“Like I say, I think he might find it hard to stay away from the club, but he’ll certainly be a hard act to follow.

“Being head of the academy is a massive task. It’s not just about the academy team and the age-group sides, it’s about the coaches and the parents and players from Under 6 upwards.

“I wouldn’t like to imagine how many games Gerry has watched over the last 20 years and how much time he’s put into getting everything organised as well as it is.”

Booth is delighted his former playing colleague Mitchell is taking over.

“If anyone can follow in Gerry’s footsteps then it’s Mitch,” he said.

“I was very impressed by his coaching when he stepped up to take care of the first team with Gerry and he knows all about the academy, so he is definitely the right man to take over.”