Martin Purdy
{{short description|English rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{EngvarB|date=February 2024}}
Martin Purdy (born 29 October 1981) is an English former rugby union player who played for London Welsh, Bath Rugby, and Wasps. Purdy's position of choice was at lock.[http://www.skysports.com/rugbyunion/player/0,20330,12553_215415,00.html Martin Purdy - Player Details] - Sky Sports. Retrieved on 9 March 2009.
Career
Purdy was born in Crawley, West Sussex and attended The Judd School in Tonbridge. Following his A-levels, Purdy accepted an offer to study at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, where he completed his undergraduate degree. However, Purdy also signed a part-time contract as an academy player for Premiership side Wasps, and combined his studies with training while at Cambridge.[http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/3910_9971.php Purdy signs for Bath]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} - Guinness Premiership News, 12 March 2007. Retrieved on 9 March 2009. Purdy gained a Blue at Twickenham in 2000, when he became the youngest forward to represent Cambridge in The Varsity Match in over a decade.Lyles, Christopher (11 December 2000) - [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/2994465/Dark-Blues-ready-for-lift-off.html Dark Blues ready for lift-off] - The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
Purdy signed a senior contract with Wasps in 2003 and made 51 appearances for them over the next 4 years. He played as a replacement when Wasps won both the 2003–04 Premiership Final and the 2004–05 Premiership Final.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/3754577.stm |title=Wasps 10-6 Bath |publisher=BBC|date=29 May 2004 |accessdate=6 February 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/4537935.stm |title=Leicester 14-39 Wasps |publisher=BBC|date=14 May 2005 |accessdate=6 February 2020}} He was also a replacement for the victorious 2004 Heineken Cup Final.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/european/3733109.stm |title=Wasps 27-20 Toulouse |publisher=BBC|date=23 May 2004 |accessdate=7 February 2020}} He then joined Bath Rugby. After just a year at Bath, Purdy was signed by New Zealand side North Harbour in April 2008, alongside former Wasps team mate Dave Walder.[http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12321_3376036,00.html Harbour secure top trio] - Sky Sports, 2 April 2008. Retrieved 9 March 2009. Purdy has also played for L'Aquila, in Italy.{{fact|date=February 2024}}
In 2010 Purdy signed for London Welsh,[http://insidethelockeroom.com/where-are-they-now-martin-purdy/ Where are they now - Martin Purdy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206220509/http://insidethelockeroom.com/where-are-they-now-martin-purdy/ |date=2009-02-06 }} - Inside the Locker Room, 15 December 2008. Retrieved 9 March 2009. making 56 appearances for the club before leaving in 2013.{{fact|date=February 2024}}