Pat Murphy has been with BBC Sport for over 35 years, specialising in football and cricket in his capacity as Senior Reporter. When he's not overseas on one of the eighteen England cricket tours he’s covered to date, he can be heard reporting on football from one of the cathedrals of Midlands football such as Villa Park, St Andrew’s, the Hawthorns, Molineux and The City Ground, for BBC Radio 5 live. He has written over 40 books in collaboration with, among others, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Allan Donald, Viv Richards and Graham Gooch and, having gained the trust of some of the biggest names in sport, has written acclaimed biographies of both Brian Clough and Ian Botham.
His latest tome tells the story of 25 cricketers to have registered over a hundred first class centuries -The Centurions - from Grace to Ramprakash. With a deep knowledge of, and love for, the sports he covers, Pat Murphy as forged a reputation as one of the most authoritative reporters of his generation. Unafraid to hold his interviewees to account, Pat has earned the respect of his journalist peers and sports’ finest, cementing his place as one of BBC Sport’s bona fide elder statesmen.
For a number of years now, Pat has lent his talent, gravitas and humour to high profile events, galas and dinners the length and breadth of the UK. His career has given him access to the corridors of sporting power and armed him with a slew of anecdotes. His 40 years as a respected journalist have given him the ability to analyse football and cricket with a rare depth and to deliver insights with laser precision. Working as an event host, Pat Murphy is the consummate professional, ensuring events run smoothly and keeping guests entertained with his charismatic stage presence. As one of the most in-demand after dinner speakers on the circuit, he tailors his presentations to the nature of each event, revealing behind-the-scenes stories and the inside track on some of the country’s best known sports stars and institutions.
How to hire Pat Murphy
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Pat Murphy for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
“I just want to express my sincere thanks for all your help, guidance and support at our event on Friday night. From a mere cops point of view, you nailed it! From feedback I already had, everyone had a great night all brought together with your very expert and professional ‘compering’. You are also the font of all knowledge sports wise.” - Tom, West Midlands Police Federation.
“On behalf of the former players, many thanks for your truly excellent speech. It is always interesting to be taken ‘behind the scenes’ in the sporting world and be titillated by little tales that never reach the media and you managed that quite brilliantly.” - Nigel, Derby County Former Players Annual Dinner
“From the comments, I received after the event I know that I speak for everyone in saying that you struck the perfect balance with your relaxed style and witty banter at the WOCCA Annual Dinner. It was also a pleasure to see the way in which you worked so well with Johnny Dennis and helped to deliver a genuinely warm and enjoyable atmosphere for all of us in the room.” - Neal, Chairman, Warwickshire Old County Cricketers Association.
“I wanted to send you a brief note to thank you personally for your contribution on Friday at the awards. I certainly had an extremely enjoyable evening that was enhanced considerably by the entertainment that was provided by yourself. I hope you enjoyed the evening as much as I did, and your attendance at a future event would be warmly welcomed.” - Gareth, West Midlands Police
“Thank you very much for your splendid speech on Friday, before an appreciative audience of players, past players, members and guests. It was fascinating to hear of your coverage of Test Matches and your exciting journeys abroad, and most interesting to discover your ‘best ever’ World XI of recent years." - Alan Wild
“In the circumstances, thank you seems somewhat inadequate. We had an absolutely splendid evening yesterday and greatly appreciated your willingness to travel. It was worth the wait, as I said! The feedback we had both at the interval and at the end was very favourable indeed. Everybody seemed to go home in a contented sort of way with the feeling that they had had a really good evening and many said it was the best meeting we have ever had. Reminiscences of the sort you gave us always appeal to our group, and, I guess, most cricket societies across the country. It was a real pleasure and a privilege to have you with us.” - David, Chesterfield Cricket Hovers Society
“A brief note to thank you and congratulate you for your excellent contribution to what was a very successful ECB ACO National Conference. The Board of ECB ACO joins me in this note of thanks and in the hope that we will stay in touch and perhaps see you again at one of our National or Regional Conferences in the future.” - Nick, England & Wales Cricket Board Association of Cricket Officials
“Just a brief note to thank you for your efforts last Friday. I was not in the slightest surprised to see that many of the audience wanted to speak to you and thank you for sharing your sporting experiences with them. Your enthusiasm and ability to convey experiences to your audience is a rare gift. Many of our members have commented that they thoroughly enjoyed listening to you speak and were interested in your insights into your fond memories of many of their sporting hero’s – Brian Clough in particular. Thank you once again from all at the club and I truly hope we meet again and can assure you will be very welcome at our club whenever you visit.” - Ken, Dudley Kingswinford RFC
“It has been a long time since I went to a dinner when there was such a buzz in the room. For or against, your speech had everybody talking – one of our smokers said it was the sole topic of conversation outside the main entrance! Well done and thank you for an enjoyable evening." - David Thomas
