SPOTLIGHT: Ruby Murphy: From ACL Heartbreak to Football Comeback

For Ruby Murphy, football is not just a sport, it is an obsession that began at the age of seven. Growing up, Ruby spent hours in the garden playing football with her grandad, and every shopping trip became a mission to convince her mum to buy Match Attax cards or football stickers. I mean what football fan didn’t have that phase? What started as a childhood pastime quickly became a passion that shaped her life.

By the time she was 16, Ruby’s dedication to the game had taken her from casual kickabouts to playing Tier 3 football. After moving to Devon on a football scholarship, a friend invited her to a Plymouth Argyle U23 training session where she immediately fell in love with the experience and signed for the U23s after just one session. Within months, she earned a spot on the first team. Competing against older, more experienced players was a challenge, but Ruby spoke about how it helped her mature quickly, both on and off the pitch.

Overcoming ACL Injuries: Ruby’s Toughest Battles

Ruby’s football journey has been far from smooth. At just 15 years old, she suffered her first major setback, rupturing her ACL during lockdown. The rehabilitation process was grueling, with both her and her mum spending countless hours working together to get her back on the pitch. After nine months, she returned to the game, thinking she had put the injury behind her, but three years later, the unthinkable happened, Ruby tore her ACL again.

The timing couldn’t have been worse as Ruby had just signed a contract with Tottenham’s U21s at 18, and was also starting university in Nottingham away from home. The thought of facing another long recovery, this time without the comfort of familiar surroundings, was overwhelming. Ruby admitted she lost hope at times, but with the help of a charity and her own determination, she made it through surgery. The process was even harder the second time, with additional complications extending her recovery to nearly two years.

Looking back, Ruby believes those injuries have helped her grow as a person. “Everything happens for a reason” became her mantra, and she credits the setbacks with teaching her that football isn’t her entire identity, it’s just one part of who she is.

A Voice for Change in Women’s Football

Having experienced the physical and mental toll of ACL injuries, Ruby is passionate about raising awareness of what she sees as a growing crisis in women’s football. Now studying sports rehabilitation at the University of Nottingham, she’s diving into the statistics that reveal the stark reality: ACL injuries are significantly more common in women’s football than in the men’s game, with 53.2% of cases occurring in younger girls. Ruby hopes to use her knowledge and experience to make a difference, focusing on injury prevention and safer training practices for female athletes.

“Women’s football needs more attention and research into these injuries,” Ruby said. “We’re seeing far too many careers derailed, and it’s time for change.”

Ruby’s Comeback Moment

After nearly two years of recovery, Ruby’s comeback couldn’t have been more impressive. On her first start back, in the BUCS National League Championships, she scored a crucial goal putting the university first team 2-1 up against Cardiff Metropolitan University. However for Ruby, the highlight wasn’t just the goal, it was the simple joy of being back in the changing room, lacing up her boots alongside her teammates. “I’d spent so much time worrying about getting black bits in my Uggs,” she joked, reflecting on her time being injured on the sidelines. “Just putting my boots on again felt incredible.”

This season, Ruby has set her sights on helping her university team win the BUCS National Championships. Their opening game against Met has certainly given the squad a new burst of energy with Ruby determined to bring that momentum into the rest of the season. Beyond university, she dreams of returning to semi-professional football and hopes to one day make football her career, even if it’s a part-time job.

From the Sidelines to the Spotlight

Spending her entire first year at university sidelined by her injury, Ruby still found ways to stay involved with the team. She took on a commentary role last year during games, including during the BUCS National Championships Semi-finals, but watching from the sidelines wasn’t easy. “I haven’t dedicated ten years of my life to football just to hold a mic,” she admitted, “It was devastating not to play, especially during our BUCS semi-final” as the girls just fell short in extra time with Durham grabbing the winner.

That frustration has only fuelled Ruby’s determination to make the most of this season. Comparing university football to the National League, she notes the stark differences in experience and professionalism. While university football offers a nurturing environment for players to grow, the National League demands a level of maturity and respect that must be earned. Ruby believes her university team could compete with Tier 4 and Tier 5 sides, but closing the gap to Tier 3 remains the ultimate goal.

What’s Next?

For now, Ruby is focused on helping her team succeed and enjoying every moment back on the pitch. Her journey, from the garden with her grandad to Tier 3 football, and through two ACL recoveries has taught her that setbacks are just stepping stones to greater things. Whether it’s scoring goals, winning championships, or helping prevent injuries for future players, Ruby is determined to leave her mark on the game she loves.

Stay tuned to see where the future takes her next…