Bob Murray.

[Charlie_Thompson]

Superb investment IMHO, top class premises, massive customer base amazing potential if things go right in the long run (?) if they don\'t then Investors may lose money. I\'d ring fence all spending and farm the pies out to the lowest bidder. I\'d also advise them to buy as many top class players for ridiculous bargains .... as it\'s better than paying loads for not very good ones. If anyone has fights in the dressing room, as new chairman I would go in show them my chair and ask them to pack it in (discipline sorted) I\'d have an all gay team to avoid ladies taking advantage of them and make sure they were all on a methadone program as it puts you off the drink and keeps your weight down. I would carry on but I\'ve got a video conference with FIFA coming on-line (\"How to get animals interested in football, the shirt market is massive, moreso boots, your average mammal needs 2 pair at least. You know how they only put left handed shoes (?) outside of shops they\'d have to leave one front boot and one back one, just a thought, loads of implications) Must dash BB on Science to win.

[mark]

..... I\'d also advise them to buy as many top class players for ridiculous bargains ........

michael owen\'s probabaly quite cheap right now

[Charlie_Thompson]

So\'s amphetamine sulphate and white lightening but I wouldn\'t have them on my team. (for sport like)

[SIXFOOTSTEVE]

[KeithB]

The price is right
BOB Murray will agree a reduced price of ÂŁ10m for Sunderland Football Club.

The Chairman will say yes to a bid of ÂŁ10m from Niall Quinn\'s Irish consortium, of which Murray will personally receive ÂŁ5.7m.
This figure is considerably less than the inflated ÂŁ80m mentioned in some reports, and also less than the ÂŁ16m figure apparently agreed with Quinn\'s consortium in March.
There have been reports that the time taken over completing the proposed takeover was down to haggling over the price Quinn will pay for the club. Murray\'s acceptance of ÂŁ10m seems to prove this hasn\'t been the case.
However, it is not believed that the takeover is imminent – a completed deal may not be on the table until just after the June 30 deadline for exclusivity.
Quinn told the Echo this morning that he welcomed the news.
\"I note Bob\'s position but the final terms of any deal still need to be legally completed.\"
Quinn is bound by Stock Exchange rules about what he can say, but sources close to him this morning said he was delighted a price will be agreed and looked forward to completing a deal as soon as possible.
Murray\'s move shows his determination to strike a deal with Quinn for the club.
Speaking to the Echo this morning, Murray said that contrary to some reports, price was never really a stumbling block.
\"There was lots of criteria, but not about price. During the process I\'ve never stalled or haggled about money as some of the media have tried to suggest.
\"I have never changed my position. The suggestion is quite hurtful, as the truth is actually the opposite. I\'ve always put the club first.
\"I will agree to this low price simply because of the very deep feeling and love I have for the club and the people. The less paid out to shareholders the more there will be available for players.
\"I\'m working 100 per cent to get this done, but it will still take several days to complete. However, there will be no need for an interim chairman.\"
Murray leaves this post on Friday, and was clearing out his desk today.
He had warm words for Quinn and his consortium.
\"I think this will be a good marriage. There is a lot of synergy. Niall knows the club well and I\'ve been impressed by his plans for the club. There has always been a closeness between the Irish and the North East and this is something that can be built on.
\"After 22 years it has been a huge decision and a major responsibility for me to pass on the controlling interest of the club.
\"It\'s never been done before as control has always evolved rather than being planned – that\'s why I\'ve done all I can to help Niall.
\"I first met with Niall last year and later suggested to him that he own the club and we met several times this year to try and make that idea come true.
\"I\'ve encouraged him throughout his bid and supported him to make it possible. I don\'t think I could have done anything more.
\"We announced in March that we were in discussions and agreed a price.
\"Since then we have extended our exclusivity agreement with Niall several times, to demonstrate how much we wanted to make the deal happen.
\"It has been difficult for him, as he has been trying to attract a name before he owned the club. As part of the process it was important for me to meet everyone who will be in the consortium.
\"This was difficult at times as the consortium was still evolving but I couldn\'t pass control of the club on to just anyone – I felt it was my responsibility to be sure we knew who would own the club, to meet them all and understand their intentions for the future.
\"Having met all the members of the consortium I feel confident they will give Niall their full backing and want what is best for the Club and are ready to invest what is needed to make the club a success on the pitch.\"
Murray then spoke about his history at the club, in particular the Peter Reid era.
\"I was desperate to leave when Peter left. The price I paid for Peter Reid was very high. I had to deal with the aftermath, and it was the lowest point for me. It was a major talking point with family and friends that I was putting the club first.\"
Murray went on to describe what the club still means to him: \"What ever else happens this week and in the take over process I will be stepping down as chairman on Friday and leaving the club with wonderful memories.
\"The club has an excellent reputation in the industry and I will miss all the fantastic people I have worked with at Sunderland, as well as the many relationships with people I value in the football industry.
\"I do plan to stay involved in the City through my involvement with the Academy in Pennywell and will also be on hand to help with the SAFC Foundation and the casino project at Niall\'s request.
\"I fully intend to attend some matches and look forward to watching as a supporter again – and let someone else worry about the results for once.\"

[tonyfromalnwick]

Should we really believe ANYTHING the Echo prints....they have been proved to be liars over the last couple of weeks.

Lets wait till it\'s on sky or the beeb, then we\'ll know it\'s true.

[KeithB]

TV cameras are gathering at the SOL

[flathead]

youve made my day keith!!!

[willywetegg]

Jim.

[flathead]

just seen bob murrays farewell interview on the telly, seems its all done and dusted bar a few minor things to iron out, one of which seems to have been the consortiums search for a manager! could this be becos hes been hard to get hold of as he is currently working for the bbc in germany? i hope so!!!

[KeithB]

Hope you are right mate, the bookies still have Alex McCleish as favourite, which may be slightly disappointing after we\'ve been expecting MON but we need to get 100% behind whoever get\'s the job.

Any of the names being mentioned, the two above or Alan Curbishley have got to be a step in the right direction.

Hope there\'s gonna be Magners in the bar :P

[BriH]

Hope there\'s gonna be Magners in the bar :P

Doubt it - Safc signed up for 4 yrs with Scottish & NEWCASTLE :P :P

[KeithB]

Bugger!!! they need to sort the lager out then, it\'s pish!!! might be the way it\'s poured by the non-english speaking bar staff like.

[Norman]

I hear perer reid`s been mentioned again since he got on so well with Nial Quinn .....

[flathead]

on the news tonite, representatives of the consortium have had a second meeting with martin o\'niell in an effort to get his services for safc meeting was on friday. they have tried once before and he knocked them back but that was when england job was still up for grabs! heres hoping!!!!!!!!!!