Luke Murray announces departure from FC Isle of Man

Striker leaves the club due to medical reasons and issues statement

FC Isle of Man's Luke Murray has announced he is set to step away from the club.

The striker has released a statement confirming he's leaving the setup due to medical reasons.

Murray says his diagnosis is exercise induced supraventricular tachychardia (SVT), adding he has struggled with heart issues 'for a few years' which has contributed to him having spells in and out of football as a whole.

He is thanking the FC Isle of Man fans 'for their continued and unconditional support' as well as the players, manager and coaching staff for supporting him through the challenges of the last few years.

Murray has been a part of the FC Isle of Man squad since its inaugural season in 2021/22 where the side gained promotion from the NWCFL Division One South to the NWCFL Premier Division and in the same season won the First Division Challenge Cup.

One of the other highlights of his FC Isle of Man career was scoring an astonishing overhead kick in a 2-1 defeat at West Didsbury & Chorlton on 11 October 2023 with his incredible goal going on to gain national recognition from BBC's Match of the Day.

You can read the player's statement in full below:

"Some may know that I’ve been struggling with my heart for a few years now, which is why I’ve been in and out of football for a couple of seasons.

"This is something I’ve struggled with since I was around 18, and, to some degree, have been able to manage.

"My diagnosis is exercise induced supraventricular tachycardia (or SVT).

"To date, I’ve had three electrophysiological (EP) studies, each with cardiac ablation, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital in efforts to identify and treat my condition. Despite their best efforts, these procedures have been ineffective, and I continue to have frequent and, rather uncomfortable, episodes of SVT when playing.

"In addition to these procedures, I’ve tried certain medication to manage the symptoms, and, whilst the medication reduces the symptoms to some extent, I continue to experience severe episodes of SVT.

"I told myself at the beginning of the season that I’d give it one last shot, and try to push through and manage my symptoms. Unfortunately, I’ve come to realise that it’s not something I can manage effectively, and, as well as this, it has a detrimental effect on the team’s performance as well as my own.

"With this in mind, and taking into account the physical demands of the league, I’ve been left with no real choice other than to stop playing for FCIOM. It’s not a decision I’ve taken lightly, and I’m devastated.

"I hope to stay involved with the club in some capacity, and I also hope to continue playing at the local level to some degree, as long as this is something I can manage in the long term.

"I’d like to thank the players, the manager, the coaching staff, and all those at the club who have supported me over the last couple of years with this – all of which have been actively involved in the process and have helped massively where possible.

"Finally, I’d like to thank the fans for their continued and unconditional support, home and away. As a small island, we’re very lucky to have the best fans in the league – without question."