# Lily Murphy

Lily Rose Murphy (born 13 February 2006) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Women's Super League club Manchester City and the England under-19s. As a versatile athlete she has represented England at youth level for sprinting, and previously played on loan for National League football clubs Stockport County, AFC Fylde, and Stoke City.

## Youth career

Murphy played for Blackburn Rovers under-14s in the Talent Pathway League, scoring 6 goals in 5 appearances. She then joined the Manchester City Academy in 2022, as a lifelong support of the club, scoring 5 goals in 21 appearances for the development squad.

## Club career
### Manchester City

On 1 September 2024, as part of the 2024–25 pre-season fixtures in Australia, Murphy featured as an 80th minute substitute in the 1–0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
On 18 September 2024, as a 79th minute substitute, Murphy made her senior competitive debut in 2024–25 UEFA Champions League qualification against Paris FC in a 5–0 victory.
On 4 December 2024, having made five senior appearances for the club in all competitions, she signed her first professional contract with Manchester City.
On 12 December 2024, Murphy scored her debut goal for the club in the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League, in a 2–0 win match against St. Pölten, helping the team to stay top of the group ahead of defending champions Barcelona. Goal.com credited her first senior start for City as a lively and creative goal-scoring threat from the left-wing that eventually led to the opening goal. She was also awarded player of the match.

#### Loan spells

On 9 March 2023, Murphy made her debut for National League Division One North side Stockport County. On 3 April, she scored her second goal in her third appearance for the club against Middlesbrough, prior to moving to National League North side AFC Fylde ahead of the 2023–24 season.
In January 2024, she moved to National League North side Stoke City, on dual registration for the remainder of the 2023–24 season.

## International career

In February 2024, Murphy received her first call up to the England under-19 team, as a midfielder, for La Nucia tournament fixtures in Alicante, featuring as a substitute in a 3–2 defeat to France, and as part of the starting eleven in a 2–2 draw with Norway. In November and December 2024, for 2025 U19 Championship qualification, she featured in matches against Italy and Poland,

## Athletic career

Murphy has represented England at youth level for 100 meter sprint, while also prioritising her football career.
In June 2024, she won the County Schools Championships in Greater Manchester, and narrowly missed a medal at the national finals. As of December 2024, she represents East Cheshire Harriers in Ashton-under-Lyne.

## Style of play

Murphy plays as a winger, and can also play as a centre-forward. As a former youth international sprinter, her pace is one of her notable attributes. While credited for her direct play, in January 2025 Goal.com criticised her end product, strength, stature, and inexperience.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of match played 5 March 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National cup | National cup | League cup | League cup | Continental | Continental | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Stockport County (loan) | 2022–23 | National League Div. 1 North | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 2 |
| AFC Fylde (loan) | 2023–24 | National League North | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 13 | 5 |
| Stoke City (loan) | 2023–24 | National League North | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 11 | 1 |
| Manchester City | 2024–25 | Women's Super League | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 15 | 2 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 32 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 42 | 10 |
* ↑ Includes Women's FA Cup
* ↑ Includes FA Women's National League Cup, FA Women's League Cup
* ↑ Includes UEFA Women's Champions League