6 Jun 2021
Written By Matthew Eastley
The Legend That is Spud
Fr ‘Spud’ Murphy pictured in the early 70s. Thanks to Kevin Hawes and Andre Villaret for the picture.
Tomorrow, if he were still with us, Father Murphy would be celebrating his 103rd birthday.
St Mary’s produced a few figures who could be described as ‘legends’ in the context of the school’s history and Spud is certainly one of them.
Born on 7 June, 1918 and raised in the County Fermanagh town of Lisnaskea, Fr John Patrick Murphy, like so many other St Mary’s characters, was known by his one-word nickname. Spud. (not a unique nickname by any means as people with the surname ‘Murphy’ were commonly known as Spud. In fact, one of the first caretakers at St Mary’s College on the old site was also known as Spud Murphy).
Fr Murphy the priest played an exceptional role in the pastoral support offered by the school as well as the teaching of History.
A proud Irishman and product of University College Dublin, before coming to Sidcup, he had previously been head of the Marist school in Winslade, Clyst St Mary, Devon where he was also called Spud and was equally popular.
Clyst St Mary old boy John Douglas, who was there between 1959 and 1964, says: “Spud taught us Latin and History and was famous for heading off at various tangents and when the time was up, he’d laugh and say ‘you’ve done it again – sidetracked!’ – He was a lovely man.”
Rotund, jovial with a slightly breathless, even gasping voice, Spud was everything you would expect from a priest, with a sympathetic nature and a ready ear that played well with boys of all ages.
Somehow, without even saying it, he gave the impression of someone you could talk to if you had a problem. There was something of the Friar Tuck about him and he gave the impression that he really cared if you succeeded or not which meant he tried to see the best in everyone.
That’s not to say he was without his foibles. He could be short-tempered and more than one class took great joy in winding him up and watching his already rosy-cheeked face redden even further. He could explode with rage but not for long and we loved him anyway.
Quite a few St Mary’s boys asked Spud to officiate at their wedding, such was the esteem in which he was held.
This respect also extended to the staff room. Dermot McMahon says: “I would have trusted Fr Murphy with anything,”
He was a credit to the School and the Marist Fathers and remained hugely popular until his death on 29 December 2001, aged 83.
Happy birthday Spud!
Thanks Nick – good to hear from a fellow St Mary’s boy from one of the four other schools in England (Blackburn, Hull. Middlesbrough and Winslade)
I remember father Spud. He taught me for several years. Father McIver was Head master. Father Pattern was maths teacher. Stalky (not a priest) was English teacher. Father Pugh (fluff) French. I think there were two actual brothers. One taught Physics, the other Was the discipline master.
Father Crocket was the Bursar back in the day. He also used to cut the large grass fields on the school tractor.
I was taught by Spud, Only a history teacher then. Under Father McIver Headmaster . A superb headmaster he also taught Geography . Spud was a lovely man. Also Father Pugh, French teacher, Father Pattern Maths, Stalky English. Biology teacher Dobdoo (nickname)
There were two brothers who taught Physics and the other was discipline master.
Nick Gilvey (Winslsde 1962-67)