He remained with the club until the eve of the 1999–2000 season, when he moved up to Division Two by joining Blackpool, where he enjoyed a long and successful seven-year stint that included three victories at the Millennium Stadium.
[2][3] Murphy rejoined Chester from Cheshire neighbours Macclesfield Town, whom he joined from Blackpool in January 2007 after making a loan move permanent.
On 6 January 2007, during his loan spell, Murphy scored Macclesfield's goal in their 6–1 FA Cup Third round defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to briefly bring the tie level.
[5] His first league game back at the club saw Murphy feature in the starting line-up in the goalless draw with Chesterfield on 11 August 2007, with his first two goals back at the club coming in a 4–0 demolition of Dagenham & Redbridge a fortnight later.
After an injury-plagued spell at the club, which restricted him to one substitute league appearance, he was released on 4 February 2009.