Former Sunderland chairman Sir Bob Murray's new book to support SAFC charity

The hardback book, entitled I’d Do It All Again, tells of his humble beginnings in Consett, to becoming a kitchen magnate as well as chairman and majority shareholder of one of England’s greatest football clubs.

Sir Bob, now 77, was the driving force behind the building of the club’s magnificent Stadium of Light, which opened in 1997.

Another leading role was in the development of the new Wembley Stadium and St George’s Park.

His most celebrated managerial appointment was that of Peter Reid, who took Sunderland from the doldrums to two successive Premier League finishes in 2000 and 2001; still the club’s highest placing since 1955.

Under the Murray tenure Sunderland also reached the 1992 FA Cup final. However, there were undeniably low points too which are covered in I’d Do It All Again.

He sold his stake in the club to Niall Quinn’s Drumaville consortium in 2006.

Aside of football itself, in 2001 he established the Foundation of Light, the biggest football charity in the UK. It offers a route, to those who might not otherwise have one, into four programme areas of sport and play, work, education and health and wellbeing.

Despite leaving school with few prospects, Sir Bob is passionate about education. In 2001 he donated a six-figure sum to help build an extension to the library of Sunderland University on Chester Road, which now bears his name.

The costs of publishing the book have all been met by the man himself and All proceeds from its sales will go to the foundation.

It has a foreword from musical legend and Sunderland fan Tim Rice and is out on October 12, when Sir Bob will give a full, one-to-one interview to the Sunderland Echo.

I’d Do It All Again costs £20 and can be pre-ordered at www.shop.visionsp.co.uk or www.a-love-supreme.com, or bought from October 12 at the Foundation of Light or the Sunderland AFC club shop.

A fan’s event with Sir Bob to promote the book, hosted by BBC commentator Guy Mowbray, is also to be held. Details will be announced next week.