Bob Murray CBE (born 3 August 1946, Consett, County Durham) is a businessman and former chairman of Sunderland Football Club. An accountant by trade, he made his fortune through the growth and sale of the Spring Ram kitchen manufacturing company.

[edit] Sunderland Football Club

He became chairman of Sunderland AFC in 1986, replacing the motor magnate Sir Tom Cowie, who had become unpopular with the fans.^{[citation needed]}

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)^{[citation needed]} 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. 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.^{[citation needed]} 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.

On 11 March 11, 2006, following a 1 - 0 defeat by Wigan, a group of around 1000 supporters gathered outside the main entrance of the club's stadium to protest against Murray, 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 group of around 1000 supporters protested, leading to ugly scenes between protesters and the police.^{[citation needed]}

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.

[edit] Club Takeover

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.