| Mick Murphy | |
| Nationality: | Australian |
| Death Date: | 1998 |
| Birth Place: | Scotland |
| Death Place: | Australia |
| Years1: | 1931 |
| Career1: | Stamford Bridge Pensioners |
| Years2: | 1931–1932 |
| Career2: | Wimbledon Dons |
| Years3: | 1933–1934 |
| Career3: | Plymouth Panthers |
| Years4: | 1935 |
| Career4: | Hackney Wick Wolves |
| Years5: | 1935–1936 |
| Years6: | 1937–1938 |
John Glass (1911 - 1998) was a motorcycle speedway rider from Australia. During his speedway career he rode under the pseudonym Mick Murphy.[1] [2]
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]