The Brisbane Lions AFC mourns the sudden passing of former Bears CEO, and Queensland Football Hall of Famer, Ken Murphy.
Murphy played a pivotal role in the development of Australian Football in Queensland through the 1980s as the first full-time General Manager of the QAFL and later as the first Chief Executive of the Brisbane Bears.
Originally from Melbourne, he worked for three years as General Manager at St Kilda Football Club before being recruited by the QAFL on the strong recommendation of former St Kilda and Hawthorn Senior Coach, Allan Jeans.
Murphy was vitally involved, alongside John Collins and Alan Piper, in the battle to secure a Queensland AFL license, and when finally the license was awarded to a joint Paul Cronin/Christopher Skase/QAFL syndicate, he was recruited to head the club’s full-time administration for their entry to the national competition in 1987.
He filled that role for three years before an extended stint as Chief Executive of the Queensland Newsagents Federation.
In an 18-year involvement with Queensland football he also had a voluntary stint in 1991-92 as Chairman of Selectors with QAFL club North Brisbane, coached by Wayne Brittain, and coaching stints at Jindalee and Wests Juniors.
The Club extends its deepest condolences to Ken’s family and friends at this difficult time.
