I wonder if he is going to wembley? You never hear anything about good old bob anymore. He was our last chairman who received vocal stick. I think we all give him credit now and he had the club at heart. Anyone any ideas what bob is doing now and if he still follows the lads?
Sunderland AFC[edit] He became chairman of Sunderland AFC in 1986, replacing the motor magnate Sir Tom Cowie. Murray's first season as chairman ended with the dismissal of manager Lawrie McMenemy and the club's relegation to the Third Division for the first time in their history. A revival saw Sunderland reach the First Division in 1990, only to be relegated after one season. They did not return to the top division until 1996, though they did reach the FA Cup final in 1992 and lost 2-0 to Liverpool. By 1991, Murray was investigating the possibility of building a new stadium for Sunderland to replace ageing Roker Park; after plans to build a stadium near the Nissan car factory failed, he turned his attention to the former Monkwearmouth colliery site on the banks of the River Wear, which became available with the colliery's closure in December 1993. His funds went towards the new Stadium of Light, which opened on the Monkwearmouth colliery site in July 1997 with an all-seater capacity of more than 42,000 (which within a few years was increased to more than 48,000). In seasons 1999/2000 and 2000/01 Sunderland finished seventh in the Premiership but Murray became unpopular when Sunderland were relegated in 2003 with a then record low of 19 points as well as debts of nearly £30 million. Promotion was gained two years later but Murray was criticised again as Sunderland endured a poor season back in the Premiership. 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. Club Takeover[edit] Murray had stated that he was willing to sell his shares in the club if an investor demonstrated a willingness to invest considerable money in the club - not simply purchase his shares. In 2006 former player Niall Quinn made an offer for the club, backed by a consortium of Irish businessmen. In order to for this to proceed Murray resigned as chairman, enabling the Drumaville Consortium takeover to occur, although he remained on the board in the interim. At a press conference on 28 June 2006 he confirmed that the club would be sold to Quinn's consortium for £10 million [1]. Murray 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 supported by the relatively low price at which he allowed his controlling stake to be bought. On 3 July 2006 the Drumaville Consortium bid was officially confirmed and the offer of £10 million accepted, with Quinn having the unusual dual role of club Chairman and Manager.[2] Murray was appointed as the club's Life President by the new owners. He was knighted in the 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours.[1] Leeds Metropolitan University[edit] In October 2012, Sir Bob was announced as the new chancellor of Leeds Metropolitan University.
Got a lot of stick he didn't deserve did our Bob. Not the most ambitious granted but he was no billionaire, left us with a fantastic stadium and in pretty good shape. His era left me with the fantastic memories of Sunderland through my childhood. Hope he's well.
I think it was the Wilkinson appointment that turned people on Bob..It still rankles with me as the most disappointing managerial appointment in my life time. I still remember with utter dismay when I heard the news of him becoming our manager..
It was a dreadful appointment, Cotterill hasn't gone on to anything either which was the reasoning behind the appointment, that Wilkinson would be preparing the nations best up and coming manager. Wilkinson was an out of touch dinosaur. I was sick to death of him saying 'I think we've turned the corner' after yet another defeat. I'm glad it hasn't defined Bob's tenure as it seems he's much more well thought of these days than he was back then.
Yes, Murray did also do a lot of good for the club, although I did give him a piece of my mind outside of the stadium when he named it the Stadium of Light...To this day I still believe it should be called The Wearmouth Stadium in honour of the miners who worked beneath it..
Spot on RAW - My Granda had friends who worked (and some who died) in that coalmine and he gave me his opinion which was much the same as yours - and I completely agree (and also told Murray as much at a talk in he attended). Wearmouth Stadium would've been a much better name
My father worked there once Ryhope pit closed in 1966 until he retired..He died quite unpleasantly of pit related diseases, although he did live to the age of 78, which was pretty good for someone who worked down the mines from aged 14..He was still alive when the stadium was named, and he was undoubtedly one of the main reasons why I did, and still do for that matter, feel strongly about it...
I lost my Da to a pit related disease, He saw the 1st season at the SoL and wasn't happy about the name one bit. It by no means a set in stone name. I wonder if the club would listen to suggestions if channelled through the fanzines? It can't help commercially there being two SoLs and any naming rights sold can be added to the new name, it doesn't have to replace it. The Bidvest Wearmouth Stadium would be a hell of a lot better than the Stadium Of Light imo
I believe with a little success, such as a cup win or cup double, somebody may come in with a deal for the naming rights for the stadium. Hope so. Not because of any pit related matter although I do understand everybodies feelings on this, but for me it was purely down to the fact that the SoL was not an original name.
Its 'named' after itss location and it isn't its proper name. A bit like Upton Park. Besides you don't translate the Nou Camp to New Field, or the Stade de France to the Stadium of France. So given that 'da Luz' is a geographical reference, it makes no sense to translate it. Pedantic but a valid point imo.
I happen to like the name SoL. Told Bob Murray as much and got a letter from saying Ta. Prefer River Wear Stadium, or summat like that, to the Wearmouth Stadium anarl.
Hey but what about bob? What has happened to him? Agree on a name change by the way. Was the name selected on votes? I seem to remember we voted for something or other at the time? Maybe that was for the move. I would rename it mackems park
