Glenn Murray never really used to have time to enjoy football.

There was short-lived euphoria. Certainly a feeling of satisfaction when things went well.

Like scoring a goal or helping Albion to the top flight for the first time in 34 years.

But the stadium was an office or a workshop and that ‘job done’ content soon turned to thoughts of the next challenge.

Not now. He is recovering his love for the game, almost a boyhood love.

The walk up the steps into the stand and the glimpse of the grass and gathering crowds.

It’s a great feeling and one he hopes to share with fans – current, past and potential – after becoming an Albion ambassador.

The former striker and ex-defender Fern Whelan join existing ambassadors Bobby Zamora and Alan Mullery in the role.

They will make appearances at some home games and also have a role within the community set-up.

That is nothing new for Murray.

Videos of his visits to children who have received support from Albion In The Community make for great viewing on YouTube.

The visits are something he enjoys doing.

And they help remind him of how football takes on a new feel when you are not just working.

Murray told The Argus: “It’s really fun to do and it’s nice to meet the people who have supported you.

“I have noticed this probably more now I’ve stopped playing.

“When you’re playing, you go into a separate entrance.

“You go into the dressing room and right out on to the pitch.

“For those players who are selected on the day, it’s very much a work mindset.

“You are not necessarily enjoying the day, it’s about achieving something on that afternoon.

“You lose a certain aspect of what you once had as a young boy and enjoying the game.

“I certainly enjoy football much more now that I’m not a player.

“Even that special moment of walking up the steps and seeing the field, the perfect playing surface.

“When that green hits you and the noise hits you, it’s such a special feeling and obviously I haven’t had for a lot of years.

“To rediscover that love of football from a different angle is brilliant and then to connect with the people that support us is so special.”

Even hours after, or maybe when out on the Sunday, Murray says enjoyment was not the word to describe his relationship with the game.

He added: “I obviously enjoyed winning and scoring goals but it gave me a sense of contentment more than anything, not of joy.

“I always knew the next challenge was up ahead and not far away.

“You might be judged for three days well but another three days you can be seen in a very, different light.

“I get asked a lot about the time we got promoted to the Premier League and did I enjoy it.

“Yes, it was an amazing time and it was an amazing afternoon and it was an afternoon I will never forget but it was just I was content for a moment because football doesn’t stop for any man.

“For that moment there, we had achieved but I was well aware of the challenges that were two months ahead.

“It was very difficult to enjoy it when I was in it.”

Murray is well-placed to take on his new role, having been at Albion in their previous life, struggling at Withdean.

He recalls going to schools looking to drum up support.

That community link might be harder to maintain now, although it was certainly apparent during lockdown.

Times are back to approaching normal now.

A full house will roar Albion against Manchester City this evening.

Murray agrees with a recent suggestion by Gary Neville that the Prem is better than ever, looking right through the league.

He added: “It’s just like our football club.

“It’s only moving forward, it’s only getting stronger.

“A huge factor in that is the fans being back in the stadium.

“As youngsters, your dream isn’t to earn money, it’s to play in front of full houses.

“It’s to score goals or, maybe in Dunky’s dreams, it was to block challenges and head the ball - or Duffy’s, should I say?

“It’s about getting out there and playing in front of big crowds and entertaining people, I suppose, and proving that you’re good enough to be there.

“We maybe lost a bit of that in lockdown.

“The way the game was played was probably a little bit safer.

“Players could be coached. You could hear your manager and your coaches from the sideline and you could be talked through games, almost.

“But now the fans are back and it brings a whole different aspect to the game.

“There’s much more emotion and you react off crowd noises.

“I’ve been to plenty of stadia, luckily, and I’ve watched on TV. You can even sense the change in momentum in a game and that is very fan-led and that’s why we missed them so much in the pandemic.”

As Murray agrees, we saw the difference 8,000 made when City were last at the Amex.

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They have enjoyed themselves before bigger gatherings at the venue, winning 2-0, 4-1 (to clinch the title) and 5-0.

But, just as Norwich don’t lose every game, nor do this City always win.

Murray said: “The best way to get something out of the game is to try and impose our style on Manchester City.

“Both styles are very similar so it will be a bit of an arm wrestle, I imagine, for who gais possession of the ball.

“I know Manchester City have been drawing each away game 0-0 at half-time so that’s definitely something to try and aim for.

“Then try and squeeze in front in the second half.

“But I’m sure we are in for a really entertaining game.

“Probably not as entertaining as the last game when they arrived at the Amex.

“But hopefully the same result.”