The Murphy family have had quite a year of football this year, starting with the Champions League and finishing with promotion at Wembley Stadium.

Josh Murphy scored a brace against Bolton Wanderers at the national stadium to secure Oxford United’s promotion to the Championship.

The winger’s family watched on from the stands with his dad John Murphy describing it as “one of the best days of his life”.

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The 29-year-old’s twin brother Jacob Murphy was unable to attend the game with Newcastle having their final game of the season the following day with a European place on the line.

Newcastle beat Brentford 4-2 on the day with Jacob Murphy getting on the scoresheet with a place in the Europa League Conference looking all but secured.

Oxford Mail: Josh Murphy with his partner Scarlett Josh Murphy with his partner Scarlett (Image: John Murphy)However, Manchester United’s FA Cup win means the Magpies will miss out on Europe entirely following this season’s Champions League campaign.

The pair's dad admitted the family have had some “fantastic footballing highlights” but said United’s Wembley triumph tops the lot.

He said: “We have had some fantastic footballing highlights in our family, and it was probably one of the best because it was pure joy from Josh’s point of view.

“It’s been a quite few years since I have seen him genuinely happy but yesterday was one of the true days you could see in his eyes he was genuinely happy.

“We have seen Champions League with Jacob and Newcastle but I think personally that topped it.

“Just for the pure relief and joy, it's really hard to describe actually how happy he genuinely was.

“As a father and as parents it was one of the best days of our lives.”

Oxford Mail: Josh Murphy with his mum Maxine Josh Murphy with his mum Maxine (Image: John Murphy)The Murphy brothers came through the Norwich academy together joining the club in the under-12s age group.

On Josh and Jacob’s bond, John Murphy said: “Their relationship is very special, after every game they are always on the phone with each other.

“I know in the family group chat during the game Jacob was very active but we missed a lot of it because we were in the heat of it.

“They are each other’s biggest fans.”

Josh Murphy hit a hot streak in the latter stages of the season causing speculation around his future with his two-year contract with the club coming to an end in June.

However, his dad said his son is “very happy” at Oxford United with his “preference” to stay at the club.

“The manager [Des Buckingham] and Josh work really well together, Des trusts Josh and I think he has got the best out of him

“It has helped with Josh having a son, Aaro, who came along in October and he has a really good partner

“Everything has just clicked at the right time.

“The first year at Oxford wasn’t great but I think anyone would have taken that at Wembley.”