Deal Town midfielder Macca Murray on following in father Paul Murray’s footsteps, the possibility of playing with his brother Leighton Murray for the Hoops and their Isthmian South East season

The Murray family’s Deal Town links have grown even stronger this season.

With club captain Kane Smith plagued by injury in the Hoops’ first campaign at Isthmian South East, midfielder Macca Murray has regularly led the side.

Macca is following in dad Paul Murray’s footsteps - a former player, coach and manager - who brought boss Steve King to the Charles Sports Ground with him a decade ago.

Now, Macca’s younger brother, Leighton, is playing for Deal under-23s.

“It would be nice to play with him,” said Macca, with all three Murray boys primarily midfielders.

“He recently got released from Gillingham, and he’s still very young and just playing for the under-23s. He wants to try to get into the first team.

“Kingy does give chances to players coming through from the under-23s. From there, you never know what can happen.

“If we played together, that would be really good.”

Murray Sr still regularly watches at Deal when he can, having recently left an Ashford United coaching role.

Macca said: “He does watch, sometimes.

“He went with Hilly (Dean Hill) to Ramsgate when he was involved there and they got Kingy involved.

“Then, my dad came over to help out with Deal. He came at the same time that Kingy came over.

“My dad was with Ashford. He went there with Darren Hare and Alan Walker, and he stayed on with Danny Kedwell this year. He left not that long ago, just with work commitments.

“But he does come and watch me when he can.”

While the Murray boys spend plenty of time at Deal, Macca and Leighton’s mum is a less frequent visitor.

“She has never massively been into football,” said Macca.

“She might come to the big games and, if we play together, she might come for that. My dad played for Deal Town and, really, we’re just