Mick Murphy (speedway rider)

Glass was born in Scotland but emigrated to Perth in Australia with his parents as a child.^[3] In 1925, at the age of 14, he rode up to the Claremont Speedway track and asked for a trial. He had borrowed his father's helmet so asked that his name not be released. Therefore, the name Mick Murphy (the Irish champion) was created.^[4] He won the 1930/31 New South Wales Individual Speedway Championship.

He arrived in the United Kingdom from Australia to race in the Britain during the 1931 season after signing for the Stamford Bridge Pensioners.^[5] He also made an appearance for the Wimbledon Dons during 1931 and rode in the final of the National Trophy for Stamford Bridge, losing out to Wembley Lions.^[6]

The 1932 season saw the formation of the National League and Murphy signed for Wimbledon but was positioned mainly at reserve.^[5] He rode in Sweden and Germany in early 1932 and then confused reporters by switching to his real name John Glass for the 1933 season with Plymouth Panthers.^[7]

In 1935, he represented the Australia national speedway team in four of the five tests that season.^[8] In the 1935 Speedway National League, Murphy started the season with Hackney Wick Wolves before transferring to West Ham Hammers in June.^[4]

In the winter of 1936/37, he won the Western Australia Championship. He finished his UK career with New Cross Rangers.^[1][5]

Murphy is listed as number 32 of 50 in the 1930s Player's cigarette card collection.^[2]