Bob Murray CBE (born 3 August 1946, Consett, County Durham); an accountant by trade, he made his fortune by selling kitchens. He became chairman of Sunderland AFC in 1986, replacing the motor dealer Tom Cowie, who had been hugely unpopular with the fans. August 3 is the 215th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (216th in leap years), with 150 days remaining. ... 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Statistics Population: 27,394 (2001) [1] Ordnance Survey OS grid reference: NZ108511 Administration District: Derwentside Shire county: County Durham Region: North East England Constituent country: England Sovereign state: United Kingdom Other Ceremonial county: County Durham Historic county: County Durham Services Police force: Durham Constabulary Fire and rescue: County Durham & Darlington... County Durham is a county in north-east England. ... Accountant, or Qualified Accountant, or Professional Accountant, or Accountancy Practitioner, is a certified accountancy and financial expert in the jurisdiction of many countries. ... Sunderland Association Football Club (Sunderland AFC or SAFC) is a professional football club, based at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, North-East England. ... 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sir Tom Cowie is the Honorary Life President of the Arriva Group, formerly know as Cowie Group plc. ...

Murray's first season as chairman ended with the dismissal of manager Lawrie McMenemy (who at the time was the highest-paid manager in the Football League) and the club's relegation to the Third Division for the first time in their history. But a quick revival saw Sunderland reach the First Division in 1990, only to go down after one season. They did not return to the top flight until 1996, by which time it had been renamed the Premiership. Murray's funds went towards the new Stadium of Light, which opened in 1997 and was the biggest new club stadium in English football since Manchester City had moved into Maine Road more than 70 years earlier. In 2000, Sunderland finished seventh in the Premiership and repeated this position a year later, but Murray became unpopular when Sunderland were relegated in 2003 with a record low of 19 points as well as debts of nearly £30million. Promotion was gained two years later but Murray was soon vilified again as Sunderland endured a terrible season back in the Premiership.

In November 2005, Murray was involved in an incident with a fan whilst enjoying a meal with his wife and the family of then manager Mick McCarthy, where he was allegedly attacked following a row. On March 11th 2006, following yet another defeat for the team, this time a 1-0 loss to Wigan, a group of around 1000 supporters gathered outside the main entrance of the club's stadium to protest against Murray's reign, with many calling for him to either resign or sell the club. Murray faced yet more criticism following the 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers on March 25, when a tannoy announcement was made during the game telling fans the Murray gates and surrounding areas, the scenes of the last protest, would be closed off, preventing fans from demonstrating. Nevertheless, a further group of around 1000 supporters made their way around to the gates, leading to ugly scenes between protesters and the police. It was later announced that it was the decision of the police to block access to the gates, although Northumbria Police claim a joint decision was made between themselves and the club. 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Michael Joseph McCarthy (born 7 February 1959) is a former professional football player who moved into club management with Millwall, the Republic of Ireland, Sunderland, and currently Wolverhampton Wanderers. ... March 11 is the 70th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (71st in Leap year). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... Wigan Athletic Football Club are a professional football team based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. ... Blackburn Rovers Football Club are an English Premier League football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. ... March 25 is the 84th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (85th in leap years). ... Northumbria Police is the police force for the north English counties of Northumberland and Tyne and Wear. ...

However, Sunderland had progressed well during the final 11 seasons of Murray's ownership. They never finished below third place in the league's second tier; whereas the club had finished below this position 7 times in Murray's first 9 seasons as chairman.Nevertheless the club were relagated 5 times under Mr Murray's tenure.

Club Takeover

Murray had, on numerous occasions stated he was willing to sell his shares in the club if an investor showed an interest. In 2006, rumours were confirmed that former player and Sunderland AFC legend Niall Quinn was preparing to make an offer for the club, backed by a consortium of Irish businessmen. In order to pave the way for the success of this new deal Murray resigned as Sunderland chairman, allowing the Drumaville Consortium takeover to occur more easily, although he remained on the board in the interim. For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... Niall John Quinn (Irish: ) (Honorary) MBE (b. ... The Drumaville Consortium is a group of eight Irish businessmen lead by former footballer Niall Quinn, involved in the takeover of English football league club Sunderland A.F.C.. The consortium is named after the village of Drumaville in Donegal. ...

By 28th June 2006 Bob Murray had called a press conference at which he revealed that SAFC would be sold to Quinn's Consortium for £10 million[1]. Murray will personally received £5.7 million of the total, although he has stated that the extensive negotiations were in order to ensure the bid was in the interests of the club and not, as speculated by the press, for his own financial gain. This assertion was somewhat supported by the relatively low price at which he allowed his controlling stake to be purchased for. On 3rd July 2006 the Drumaville Consortium bid for SAFC was officially confirmed and the offer of £10 million was made. The bid was successful and it ushered in a new era of management with Quinn having the unusual dual roles of both club Chairman and Manager.[2] The Drumaville Consortium is a group of eight Irish businessmen lead by former footballer Niall Quinn, involved in the takeover of English football league club Sunderland A.F.C.. The consortium is named after the village of Drumaville in Donegal. ...